Under the hood (bonnet) of the DB9 are three structural cross braces linking the strut towers and the firewall in a triangle (natures strongest shape). These braces perform a vital role in the cars handling – stiffening the front of the chassis. If you are about to do some service work like changing your coil packs, spark plugs, PCV valves or even the windshield washer bottle filler neck you may need to remove one or all of these braces. Continue reading “Removing the Engine Bay Cross Braces from an Aston Martin DB9”
Category: Advice
Fender Covers while Performing Engine Service Work on an Aston Martin DB9
Before you begin any work under the hood (bonnet) on your DB9 you should consider if there is a chance you might scratch or damage one of those gorgeous fenders (wings). One momentary mistake could lead to much anguish should a spanner go awry, not to mention the buttons or zipper from your jeans or jacket.
Personally I don’t cover them up if I am just checking the oil or just having a peek under the hood, but if I am performing any real service I definitely cover them up. Continue reading “Fender Covers while Performing Engine Service Work on an Aston Martin DB9”
Disconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9
There are MANY service events for your DB9 that say to disconnect the battery as one of the steps. I am as realistic as anyone in this regard – meaning I usually skip this step if I think I can get away with it. The safety Nazi’s probably tell you disconnect the battery to vacuum the carpets. But, there are certainly some circumstances where this should be followed. Working on your fuel system, working on the electrical system, etc. Any situation where an accidental spark or short could destroy parts of the car. Continue reading “Disconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9”
Depressurizing the Fuel System on an Aston Martin DB9
You may need to depressurize the fuel system on your DB9 if you are going to do any work with the fuel rails or fuel injectors under the hood. I am doing this as part of changing my coil packs and spark plugs, but you might be wanting to change a fuel injector or various other engine service tasks. Normally the fuel system has ~40psi of fuel pressure (even when turned off as residual pressure), and if you are going to disconnect something with the fuel system under the hood (bonnet), you don’t want the risk of it spraying you, your car, or worst of all causing a fire.
Depressurizing it is fairly simple. We are going to run the engine out of gas by removing a relay that operates the fuel pumps. No fuel = no pressure. Easy. Continue reading “Depressurizing the Fuel System on an Aston Martin DB9”
Accessing the Cabin Fuse Box on an Aston Martin DB9
An Aston Martin DB9 has 3 separate fuse boxes, one in the engine compartment, one in the passenger compartment and the last in the boot. You may need to access the Cabin Fuse Box for a variety of service reasons as it contains fuses for a myriad of the vehicles systems. In addition to the fuses, this is also the location of the Fuel Pump Relay, something you may need to remove to depressurize the fuel system if you are working on your fuel injectors.
Accessing the Cabin Fusebox is pretty easy once you know where it is. From the owners manual diagram above you’d think it was under the dash on the right. Actually, its under the floor mat on the Passenger side, so it’s different than in the diagram shown if you have a Right Hand Drive (RDH) car. That’s right, under the floor mat, not hidden under the dash. Check out my video below for a clear view of where it is. Continue reading “Accessing the Cabin Fuse Box on an Aston Martin DB9”
How to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9
If your DB9 has developed a Lumpy Idle (see my in depth post on this) you’ll be faced with either taking it to the Dealership (and a $1,800+ labor bill plus parts) or undertaking the task yourself over a weekend. There is a considerable level of skill and determination required to accomplish this feat. Easily the most complicated service event I’ve done yet on my 9. If you have the gumption, tools and the time it can be a rewarding and cost saving experience. I think anyone can do it if you properly prepare. Continue reading “How to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9”
Tools Required to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs on an Aston Martin DB9
If you are about to embark on changing the coil packs, spark plugs and perhaps the PCV valves on your DB9, it’s always comforting to know you have all the tools to do the job BEFORE you start. It’s really frustrating to be halfway into a task and find out you are stuck since you don’t have the right do-dad. The DB9 isn’t quite as simple as changing the plugs and coil on an old Chevy small block V8, and you’ll be twisting the spanners for hours just to get near the plugs and coils. Continue reading “Tools Required to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs on an Aston Martin DB9”
Parts Needed to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9
If you have a lumpy idle with your DB9 (like mine was as detailed in this blog post) or are just doing a scheduled service that requires changing the plugs, it will be helpful to know all the parts you’ll need. Of course, you’re sitting there going ‘Duh – I need spark plugs to change spark plugs you idiot’. Yes, that’s true, but you also need a small assortment of other bits and bobs to put it all back together Properly. Continue reading “Parts Needed to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9”
Lumpy Idle / Misfire on an Aston Martin DB9
When I purchased my DB9 a few years ago occasionally if I just sat still in the car while it was idling I could hear – no – feel in the seat of my pants – the slightest ‘lump’ in the idle. Rarely, faintly, distantly, so infrequently that I never really worried about it that much. At the time the car was 8 years old and had about 15K miles on it.
Turn the clock ahead about 2 years to spring 2016 (and about 25K miles total now) and the faint lump rather quickly progressed to a routine ‘lump’ at idle anytime in gear when stopped at a light or sitting in the garage. The lump was only at idle, and seemed to be gone (or at least was not perceivable) at speeds above 900 RPM. I started to learn more about lumpy idles (or misfires at idle) on the forums. Continue reading “Lumpy Idle / Misfire on an Aston Martin DB9”
Contacting the AMHT for information about your Aston Martin DB9
I was trying to learn more about the specifics of my DB9, what options it was ordered with and things like that. When I purchased the car used I got almost no paperwork. The Holy Grail would be an original factory window sticker, original dealer invoice or a factory build sheet. I reached out to my local dealer first, but thought I would try the helpful folks at the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (AMHT) that oversee the records for all the vintage models. Continue reading “Contacting the AMHT for information about your Aston Martin DB9”
Aston 1936 