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Changing Your Spark Plugs |
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Plugs recommended by the manufacturer are probably the best plugs to use. From my experience the fancy platinum stuff doesn't really do any good unless it is recommended by the manufacturer. Sometime the fancy stuff will take away performance. All newer BMW's are recommended to change your plugs at 100,000 miles. I usually change at 50,000 miles. I have seen many cars with their original plugs at 100,000+, so it is okay leave them till 100k.
Spark plugs are not too bad of a job to do. It does take a little time. It takes me about 1 careful hour. This will require a torque wrench, extension, and a 5/8" spark plug socket w/ a swivel (tools from Sears). You should also get some antiseize and dielectric compound (local auto parts store). |
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Let's get started.
First open up the hood. Your going to have to take off the covers from the top of the engine. As you can see from the pics of the 323IS and M Coupe, the covers are the ones with the silver stripes going lengthwise. Your going to have to take off the cover on the center, then the one on the right. |
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To get the covers off, you will need to carefully pry out 4 bolt covers (green arrows). You can pull it off using your fingernail or a screwdriver. |
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After you get the caps off, remove the 2 - 10mm bolts on the center cover (green square). Then lift out the cover. Next, remove the 2 10mm - nuts from the left cover. Remove oil filler cap, then lift out the left cover (blue square). After you pull out the left cover replace the oil cap to prevent dirt from getting in. |
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Now things are looking high tech here. Above you see 6 orange arrows pointing at 6 coil packs. Your spark plugs are under those packs.
Disconnect a pack by lifting up the metal bracket. You can get it started by using a flat blade screwdriver. The bracket does not come out completely. After the bracket is lifted, just pull out the plug. |
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Unbolt the 2 - 10mm bolts to release each coil pack. The first and last coil pack has a metal braided wire hooked up to the bolt. I don't know exactly what it is, but I think it may be important for grounding the packs. So don't forget to hook it up when you bolt the packs back down.
After you unbolt the pack, just pull the pack straight up. If you look into the hole, you will see the top of your spark plug. Use the spark plug socket, extension, and ratchet to take out the plug (Don't use your torque wrench to remove the plugs). |
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Put some antiseize compound on the threads of the new plug, and some dielectric compound on the contact where the pack connects to the plug. |
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Plug with 54k miles vs 0 miles. Hmmm.... Something changed since '99. |
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When putting in the new plug, torque down to 23 Nm. Repeat for the the next 5 plugs. Then put everything back. Now your done. Now drive and enjoy your BMW. |
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Home |
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