spark plugs replacement with ess SC

Groundpilot · 10-19-2015, 06:50 PM

Hi everyone. My question is to those who have replaced spark plugs with ess SC in place. I have done this before but when it was stock. Now i see too many pipes and plumbing of SCer on the drivers side covering coil cover.
Any suggestions as how to remove that cover and gain an access to spark plugs?
I'm wondering if the supercharger has to come off to get that cover off?

jdamore · 10-19-2015, 07:39 PM

It is just barely possible without removing the SC. It is a pain!!!

You have to remove the diverter valve and all the tubes in the way. Pop the spark plug cover off it's rubber feet. Pull it towards you as much as you can (assuming your standing in front of the car). At this point, The cover will flex just enough to jimmy it out starting at the back side.

That makes it sound easy. Be careful not to damage the coils as your flexing it out.

W Cole · 10-19-2015, 10:03 PM

I didn't loosen the diverted valve but if this will allow you to remove the spark plug cover without loosening the sc like I did then it's a better method.

I removed the belt from around the supercharger pulley and then loosened the supercharger enough so I could pull off the cover.

W Cole · 10-19-2015, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdamore

It is just barely possible without removing the SC. It is a pain!!!

You have to remove the diverter valve and all the tubes in the way. Pop the spark plug cover off it's rubber feet. Pull it towards you as much as you can (assuming your standing in front of the car). At this point, The cover will flex just enough to jimmy it out starting at the back side.

That makes it sound easy. Be careful not to damage the coils as your flexing it out.

Are you running an ess kit?

jdamore · 10-20-2015, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

Are you running an ess kit?

Yes

This is when I realized the diverter valve needed to come off

The side towards the front of the car will hit the coils when your lifting it so you have to be careful its not caught on the wires. Inch it out observing where its getting hung up and flex it. I didn't but, it might make it easier to take off the thing behind the diverter valve too.

jdamore · 10-20-2015, 06:34 AM

For the other side, I removed the three screws holding the reservoir and tied it up and out of the way.

Groundpilot · 10-20-2015, 08:05 AM

Hey jdamore, thank you for your input. Your pictures are even better than words as enyone can see what exactly was removed in order to remove that coil cover.
I really think this thread should be placed in the DIY section.

jdamore · 10-20-2015, 09:03 AM

The pictures certainly make it look easy!

It is like a puzzle! You really have to solve it. The trick is flexing the cover in the right spots while moving it in the correct directions. I call it "mandling" (man handling).

I think to make it easier next time, I will remove the brass fitting (see attached) and maybe the strut tower bar. I just hate messing with belts.

Hope to see other methods

Patrón · 10-20-2015, 09:09 AM

the puzzle is putting the damn covers back on...
jdamore did you replace the diverter valve gasket? nice pictures!

jdamore · 10-20-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrón

the puzzle is putting the damn covers back on...
jdamore did you replace the diverter valve gasket? nice pictures!

When I was putting it back in, I didn't realize I forgot to slip the cover under the fuel line.

Had to pull it back out and do it again.

No, I used the same gasket. I didn't think I had to.. it was the first time the valve was separated from the manifold and it looked like new. If I was supposed to then.... whoops lol. I'll replace it next time.

If ESS made it possible to take out the tube on inlet side of the SC, it would be a hell of alot easier.

JEllis · 10-20-2015, 10:38 AM

I know a guy that trimmed the spark plug cover so it could come off much easier with the SC and associated hosing installed.

Patrón · 10-20-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdamore

When I was putting it back in, I didn't realize I forgot to slip the cover under the fuel line.

Had to pull it back out and do it again.

No, I used the same gasket. I didn't think I had to.. it was the first time the valve was separated from the manifold and it looked like new. If I was supposed to then.... whoops lol. I'll replace it next time.

If ESS made it possible to take out the tube on inlet side of the SC, it would be a hell of alot easier.

no fluids make contact or extreme heat so it should be ok, just curious.
good tips thank you.

jdamore · 10-20-2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEllis

I know a guy that trimmed the spark plug cover so it could come off much easier with the SC and associated hosing installed.

I'd like to see how he did it!
A replacement cover is about 40$ so, worst case is you pick up a new one when the SC comes off.

The only place I would trim it would be the front. The back has the rubber socket right on the edge. I wonder if the front would be visible once its installed

spr · 03-01-2017, 09:08 PM

For this reason I don't run them. I 3d printed plugs for the intake on the hood and reinforcement bar.

Iyzmi · 03-02-2017, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spr

For this reason I don't run them. I 3d printed plugs for the intake on the hood and reinforcement bar.

Got any pics? Curious to see how the plugs turned out.

spr · 03-02-2017, 09:42 PM

Yeah but I have to resize them. I'll post tomorrow.

irokwrx · 07-22-2020, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spr

Yeah but I have to resize them. I'll post tomorrow.

3 years later!

BimmerNugget · 08-20-2022, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdamore

For the other side, I removed the three screws holding the reservoir and tied it up and out of the way.

Thanks so much for this. I'm about to tackle the spark plugs on my ESS G1 kit. May I ask how much you could move the passenger side coolant reservoir? Is it enough to pull the plug cover out easily?

Iyzmi · 08-21-2022, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdamore

For the other side, I removed the three screws holding the reservoir and tied it up and out of the way.

Thanks so much for this. I'm about to tackle the spark plugs on my ESS G1 kit. May I ask how much you could move the passenger side coolant reservoir? Is it enough to pull the plug cover out easily?

Just remove the 3 screws and work around the reservoir. I don't even tie it out of the way, there is plenty of space once it's detached.

jdamore · 08-22-2022, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Thanks so much for this. I'm about to tackle the spark plugs on my ESS G1 kit. May I ask how much you could move the passenger side coolant reservoir? Is it enough to pull the plug cover out easily?

As Iyzmi said, there's plenty of space to work around the reservoir. I think the hardest part about the passenger side is getting back to cylinder #4. You really need an assortment of socket extensions but, this is tricky regardless if you're supercharged.

DRLane · 08-22-2022, 12:07 PM

Remove the strut brace (4 bolts per side) and the plastic cowling (3 bolts). It's less than 5 mins for a much easier access.

Scharbag · 08-22-2022, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdamore

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Thanks so much for this. I'm about to tackle the spark plugs on my ESS G1 kit. May I ask how much you could move the passenger side coolant reservoir? Is it enough to pull the plug cover out easily?

As Iyzmi said, there's plenty of space to work around the reservoir. I think the hardest part about the passenger side is getting back to cylinder #4. You really need an assortment of socket extensions but, this is tricky regardless if you're supercharged.

Yup.

I left my coil covers off cause I do not want to eff around. Passenger side rear plug is a PITA but totally doable with a number of extensions. And a long flat blade screwdriver.

10-19-2015, 06:50 PM	#1
Groundpilot Banned 476 Rep 1,711 Posts Drives: 135I DCT , e92 M3 DCT, Audi A6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: long island,ny iTrader: (0)	spark plugs replacement with ess SC Hi everyone. My question is to those who have replaced spark plugs with ess SC in place. I have done this before but when it was stock. Now i see too many pipes and plumbing of SCer on the drivers side covering coil cover. Any suggestions as how to remove that cover and gain an access to spark plugs? I'm wondering if the supercharger has to come off to get that cover off?
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10-19-2015, 07:39 PM	#2
jdamore Captain 433 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (4)	It is just barely possible without removing the SC. It is a pain!!! You have to remove the diverter valve and all the tubes in the way. Pop the spark plug cover off it's rubber feet. Pull it towards you as much as you can (assuming your standing in front of the car). At this point, The cover will flex just enough to jimmy it out starting at the back side. That makes it sound easy. Be careful not to damage the coils as your flexing it out. __________________ -- 08 JB e92 6MT ///M3 ESS VT2-625 -- Last edited by jdamore; 10-19-2015 at 07:52 PM..
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10-19-2015, 10:03 PM	#3
W Cole Major 145 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newport Coast, CA iTrader: (5)	I didn't loosen the diverted valve but if this will allow you to remove the spark plug cover without loosening the sc like I did then it's a better method. I removed the belt from around the supercharger pulley and then loosened the supercharger enough so I could pull off the cover.
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10-20-2015, 06:34 AM	#6
jdamore Captain 433 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (4)	For the other side, I removed the three screws holding the reservoir and tied it up and out of the way. __________________ -- 08 JB e92 6MT ///M3 ESS VT2-625 --
	Appreciate 3 S65B40YYC34.50 BimmerNugget542.50 Quote

10-20-2015, 08:05 AM	#7
Groundpilot Banned 476 Rep 1,711 Posts Drives: 135I DCT , e92 M3 DCT, Audi A6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: long island,ny iTrader: (0)	Hey jdamore, thank you for your input. Your pictures are even better than words as enyone can see what exactly was removed in order to remove that coil cover. I really think this thread should be placed in the DIY section.
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10-20-2015, 09:03 AM	#8
jdamore Captain 433 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (4)	The pictures certainly make it look easy! It is like a puzzle! You really have to solve it. The trick is flexing the cover in the right spots while moving it in the correct directions. I call it "mandling" (man handling). I think to make it easier next time, I will remove the brass fitting (see attached) and maybe the strut tower bar. I just hate messing with belts. Hope to see other methods Attached Images __________________ -- 08 JB e92 6MT ///M3 ESS VT2-625 --
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10-20-2015, 09:09 AM	#9
Patrón PAZUZU 545 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: '15 M4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	the puzzle is putting the damn covers back on... jdamore did you replace the diverter valve gasket? nice pictures! __________________ 2009 M3 DCT ESS625+ SOLD 2015 M4 BSM/Silverstone F4LCON @texasMclub IG @jagemoets
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10-20-2015, 10:38 AM	#11
JEllis Major General 532 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	I know a guy that trimmed the spark plug cover so it could come off much easier with the SC and associated hosing installed. __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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03-01-2017, 09:08 PM	#14
spr Major 93 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: F80 M3; e92 ESS650+ M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	For this reason I don't run them. I 3d printed plugs for the intake on the hood and reinforcement bar.
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03-02-2017, 09:42 PM	#16
spr Major 93 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: F80 M3; e92 ESS650+ M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Yeah but I have to resize them. I'll post tomorrow.
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08-22-2022, 12:07 PM	#21
DRLane Brigadier General 3989 Rep 3,410 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado iTrader: (21) Garage List 2008 m3 [6.63]	Remove the strut brace (4 bolts per side) and the plastic cowling (3 bolts). It's less than 5 mins for a much easier access. __________________ Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
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