DIY Spark Plug Change W/PHOTOS

AlexTek · 05-03-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Every 37,000 miles according to the manual.

Hey Tech, does the BMW maintenance program includes the spark plugs change at 37,000 miles?

Grail05 · 05-03-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTek

Hey Tech, does the BMW maintenance program includes the spark plugs change at 37,000 miles?

yes they should replaced it at 37k mine was replaced at 30k....

marksae · 05-03-2013, 01:27 PM

I had to show the dealer my owner's manual to get them to change my plugs at 37k. The 37k spark plug change doesn't show up on the CBS.

AlexTek · 05-03-2013, 01:44 PM

So 5K miles more to get them replaced. :-)

aussiem3 · 05-03-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTek

So 5K miles more to get them replaced. :-)

I just done mine at 37k km. I am glad I did it then. There was carbon building, also given that I was doing a lot of short running with stop-n-go. The general consensus here is that we need to change the plugs in the 30s. It's entire up to you. People do experience better response with the change.

AlexTek · 05-03-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiem3

I just done mine at 37k km. I am glad I did it then. There was carbon building, also given that I was doing a lot of short running with stop-n-go. The general consensus here is that we need to change the plugs in the 30s. It's entire up to you. People do experience better response with the change.

Thanks for the input.

richardg · 05-08-2013, 12:40 PM

Changed last night. Haven't driven enough to notice too much of a difference. Might just be in my head but it is something I would still do again in another 30k

AlexTek · 05-08-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardg

Changed last night. Haven't driven enough to notice too much of a difference. Might just be in my head but it is something I would still do again in another 30k

You bought directly the NGK or the BMW boxed NGK plugs?

No need to gap them right?

I read that Multi Ground should not be gapped, abd these come gap to 036" (0.9mm). What is the OEM Gap?

richardg · 05-09-2013, 09:02 AM

Bought them direct NGK (via ECS Tuning)

AlexTek · 05-09-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardg

Bought them direct NGK (via ECS Tuning)

Great to know. I bought them here
http://www.sparkplugauto.com/ngk/laser-platinum/ngk-laser-platinum-lkr8ap-spark-plug.html

Good Price. Only $9.33 / plug.

Longbow64 · 05-21-2013, 04:44 PM

Sticky please

Howard_R · 05-26-2013, 09:53 PM

I just did this today - if BMW thinks this is a 2-3 hour job, then they're full of....well nevermind - it took me 1 hour from popping the hood to closing the hood. I had read through the DIYs so I knew what to expect. I also had ordered TxStigs coil removal tool - this is a must have IMO - it makes the whole process cake. Driver's side was easy - I needed to replace my air filter as well so that worked out. Passenger side was relatively easy as well - not as hard as I was expecting. I used a spark plug socket that had a good rubber spark plug retainer - you don't want it holding on to the spark plug too much otherwise the socket will pull off the extension.
To remove/install the spark plugs at the back I used a universal adapter between the socket and a 6" extension - this allows you to drop it right down the tube. There's no need to drop sockets etc down the tube and then try and connect them.
I didn't gap the plugs - they were definitely tighter than the ones I removed, but I'm assuming that with 37k on the plugs, the gap widened with use.

Big thanks to TxStig.

Edmbimmer88 · 06-09-2013, 09:17 PM

TxStig's tool is a must if you don't want to be cursing during the DIY.

I also recommend doing this when the engine is completely cool.

tdott · 06-26-2013, 10:30 AM

Got mine from Amazon, Arrived in 3 days, doing them this weekend.

NGK (4471) LKR8AP Spark Plug $11.51 amazon.com

AlexTek · 06-26-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdott

Got mine from Amazon, Arrived in 3 days, doing them this weekend.

NGK (4471) LKR8AP Spark Plug $11.51 amazon.com

I got them here cheaper with fast shipping
NGK (4471) LKR8AP Spark Plug $9.33

tdott · 06-26-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTek

I got them here cheaper with fast shipping
NGK (4471) LKR8AP Spark Plug $9.33

Ah crap I didn't see your post. Ahh well it was only a few dollars difference in the end and I was able to get a few more maintenance items from amazon at the same time.

warranty · 06-28-2013, 02:45 AM

I changed the plugs myself 2 or 3 weekends ago, and with the TxStig puller it was really not that bad at all. I used a long screwdriver as a "lever" to pull out the plugs using the puller, and it all went easier than I expected.

Before changing the plugs I frequently hear what sounds like engine knocking on throttle tip-in (regardless of brand of gas, warm/cold engine, etc.). With the new plugs the knocking on tip-in seem to have gone away.

swamp2 · 06-28-2013, 11:00 PM

Great DIY, just got this wrapped up. Thanks. Used a good ol coat hangar for pulling the coils (saw that here or in another thread).

MasterD78 · 06-29-2013, 05:52 PM

Just finished this up with the guidance of your DIY. It went smoothly and took me 2 hours. It was my first time changing plugs and I was impressed with how well it went. I have to say that coil puller is a must have. That passenger plug closest to the cabin is a massive PITA, and took me close to 30 minutes on it's own. I have to say I feel like I can tell the difference. Thanks again for the DIY!! Next up in a month is the Manual Tranny Fluid. I've done Oil, and rear diff fluid, car has 71k on it (bought it with 68k), what else should I be looking at? Thanks again!

L4ces · 06-30-2013, 10:22 AM

Son of a beyatch. Had an appt scheduled but money if all things was a factor with me deciding on doing this myself. 10 minutes on the first 3 passenger plugs and going into 20 minutes on the one in the back. And it's humid as heck.

Edit1:
PITA plug is done. Got pics and tips to add after all is done.

Edit2:
Plugs done.

Edit3:
I dropped tools into the engine bay 4 times from the passenger side. I was worried that I would have to remove the tray under the motor but I learned that stuff in the tray was reachable. Either I pulled it out of the tray with my finders with rubber gloves for grip, or moved it enough for it out to the ground (I couldn't see the bottom well and didn't know that there was such a hole). easily. It wasn't easy to see this without the car jacked.

As others have noted, the passenger PITA socket was a PITA. It was difficult to concentrate my strength through my fingers at such a weird angle. What I did was use the Coil Pack Removal Tool - By TxStig with a socket extension inserted between the gap of that tool for leverage, to distribute the force and have more to grab on.

In addition, I made use of the flexible grabber tool (forgot the formal name). Since, I had cheap sockets connections, there were a few times I had trouble getting the spark plug socket out of the hole and sometimes it wouldn't even hold the spark plug (in the rear part of the engine is where I had trouble), so I used the flexible grabber tool.

Problem encountered to watch out for.
On the driver side rear I used the smaller of the 2 extensions to begin removing the spark plug and quickly realized that it wasn't long enough so get it out of the hole so that I could use the longer one was the problem. I couldn't manage to connect the longer to the one in the hole because the combined lengths were too long for the space that was available (the brake line and another rigid line constrained the space. Eventually got it out using the small extension joint socket.

Edit:
Forgot to mention, unlike a few others, I noticed the restoration of power (difference was like turning on M mode); my exhaust not was different (I forgot how unique the AA sounds.. the howl); revs smoother and faster therefore throttle blips are crackle more.

MasterD78 · 06-30-2013, 02:10 PM

On the plug on the passenger side closest to the cabin I found that using a couple short extensions instead of a long one allowed me to lengthen it while putting it in or shorten it while taking it out, and made removal and install of the plug itself a lot easier.

L4ces · 06-30-2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterD78

On the plug on the passenger side closest to the cabin I found that using a couple short extensions instead of a long one allowed me to lengthen it while putting it in or shorten it while taking it out, and made removal and install of the plug itself a lot easier.

I was lucky to have a short extension and used it for just that?

05-03-2013, 01:27 PM	#69
marksae First Lieutenant 36 Rep 368 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (6)	I had to show the dealer my owner's manual to get them to change my plugs at 37k. The 37k spark plug change doesn't show up on the CBS. __________________ 04 E46 M3 6MT - AW / Cinn 93 FD RX-7 Base Manual - BB / Blk IG: @gearheadtwins
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05-03-2013, 01:44 PM	#70
AlexTek First Lieutenant 11 Rep 367 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E92 2011 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	So 5K miles more to get them replaced. :-)
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05-08-2013, 12:40 PM	#73
richardg Major 225 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: MacanGTS, 991.2GT3, E63wagon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bellevue WA / Oakville ON iTrader: (5)	Changed last night. Haven't driven enough to notice too much of a difference. Might just be in my head but it is something I would still do again in another 30k
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05-09-2013, 09:02 AM	#75
richardg Major 225 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: MacanGTS, 991.2GT3, E63wagon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bellevue WA / Oakville ON iTrader: (5)	Bought them direct NGK (via ECS Tuning)
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05-21-2013, 04:44 PM	#77
Longbow64 _______ 169 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 15 M3, 13 X3 35i MSport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (4)	Sticky please __________________ '13 35i M-Sport X3 \| JB4 Stage 1 \| BMS Intake \| H&R Springs \| Gloss black grill \| CF Wrap and Coded by me \| Recaro Child Seats '15 M3 DCT AW/SO \| JB Stage 1 \| RKP Diffuser \| P3 \| M Perf Spoiler \| iND Exterior Trim \| Recaro Child Seat
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05-26-2013, 09:53 PM	#78
Howard_R Private 84 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2017 Sakhir Orange M4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	I just did this today - if BMW thinks this is a 2-3 hour job, then they're full of....well nevermind - it took me 1 hour from popping the hood to closing the hood. I had read through the DIYs so I knew what to expect. I also had ordered TxStigs coil removal tool - this is a must have IMO - it makes the whole process cake. Driver's side was easy - I needed to replace my air filter as well so that worked out. Passenger side was relatively easy as well - not as hard as I was expecting. I used a spark plug socket that had a good rubber spark plug retainer - you don't want it holding on to the spark plug too much otherwise the socket will pull off the extension. To remove/install the spark plugs at the back I used a universal adapter between the socket and a 6" extension - this allows you to drop it right down the tube. There's no need to drop sockets etc down the tube and then try and connect them. I didn't gap the plugs - they were definitely tighter than the ones I removed, but I'm assuming that with 37k on the plugs, the gap widened with use. Big thanks to TxStig.
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06-09-2013, 09:17 PM	#79
Edmbimmer88 Private First Class 7 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (3)	TxStig's tool is a must if you don't want to be cursing during the DIY. I also recommend doing this when the engine is completely cool. __________________ 2010 BMW X5 35d - JBd Piggyback - 22" X6 Reps 2009 BMW M3 e92 - TE37's
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06-26-2013, 10:30 AM	#80
tdott Brigadier General 3938 Rep 3,980 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South FL / 6ix iTrader: (4)	Got mine from Amazon, Arrived in 3 days, doing them this weekend. NGK (4471) LKR8AP Spark Plug $11.51 amazon.com
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06-28-2013, 02:45 AM	#83
warranty Enlisted Member 14 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: California iTrader: (1)	I changed the plugs myself 2 or 3 weekends ago, and with the TxStig puller it was really not that bad at all. I used a long screwdriver as a "lever" to pull out the plugs using the puller, and it all went easier than I expected. Before changing the plugs I frequently hear what sounds like engine knocking on throttle tip-in (regardless of brand of gas, warm/cold engine, etc.). With the new plugs the knocking on tip-in seem to have gone away. __________________ 2008 6MT M3 sedan
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06-28-2013, 11:00 PM	#84
swamp2 Lieutenant General 609 Rep 10,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA iTrader: (3)	Great DIY, just got this wrapped up. Thanks. Used a good ol coat hangar for pulling the coils (saw that here or in another thread). __________________ E92 M3 \| Space Gray on Fox Red \| M-DCT \| CF Roof \| RAC RG63 Wheels \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| \| Vorsteiner Ti Exhaust \| Matte Black Grilles/Side Gills/Rear Emblem/Mirrors \| \| Alekshop Back up Camera \| GP Thunders \| BMW Aluminum Pedals \| Elite Angels \| \| XPEL Full Front Wrap \| Hardwired V1 \| Interior Xenon Light Kit \|
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06-29-2013, 05:52 PM	#85
MasterD78 Private First Class 10 Rep 136 Posts Drives: '08 E90 M3 JB/IR Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (3)	Just finished this up with the guidance of your DIY. It went smoothly and took me 2 hours. It was my first time changing plugs and I was impressed with how well it went. I have to say that coil puller is a must have. That passenger plug closest to the cabin is a massive PITA, and took me close to 30 minutes on it's own. I have to say I feel like I can tell the difference. Thanks again for the DIY!! Next up in a month is the Manual Tranny Fluid. I've done Oil, and rear diff fluid, car has 71k on it (bought it with 68k), what else should I be looking at? Thanks again!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-30-2013, 10:22 AM	#86
L4ces Major 337 Rep 1,489 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NJ - NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Son of a beyatch. Had an appt scheduled but money if all things was a factor with me deciding on doing this myself. 10 minutes on the first 3 passenger plugs and going into 20 minutes on the one in the back. And it's humid as heck. Edit1: PITA plug is done. Got pics and tips to add after all is done. Edit2: Plugs done. Edit3: I dropped tools into the engine bay 4 times from the passenger side. I was worried that I would have to remove the tray under the motor but I learned that stuff in the tray was reachable. Either I pulled it out of the tray with my finders with rubber gloves for grip, or moved it enough for it out to the ground (I couldn't see the bottom well and didn't know that there was such a hole). easily. It wasn't easy to see this without the car jacked. As others have noted, the passenger PITA socket was a PITA. It was difficult to concentrate my strength through my fingers at such a weird angle. What I did was use the Coil Pack Removal Tool - By TxStig with a socket extension inserted between the gap of that tool for leverage, to distribute the force and have more to grab on. In addition, I made use of the flexible grabber tool (forgot the formal name). Since, I had cheap sockets connections, there were a few times I had trouble getting the spark plug socket out of the hole and sometimes it wouldn't even hold the spark plug (in the rear part of the engine is where I had trouble), so I used the flexible grabber tool. Problem encountered to watch out for. On the driver side rear I used the smaller of the 2 extensions to begin removing the spark plug and quickly realized that it wasn't long enough so get it out of the hole so that I could use the longer one was the problem. I couldn't manage to connect the longer to the one in the hole because the combined lengths were too long for the space that was available (the brake line and another rigid line constrained the space. Eventually got it out using the small extension joint socket. Edit: Forgot to mention, unlike a few others, I noticed the restoration of power (difference was like turning on M mode); my exhaust not was different (I forgot how unique the AA sounds.. the howl); revs smoother and faster therefore throttle blips are crackle more. Last edited by L4ces; 06-30-2013 at 06:28 PM..
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06-30-2013, 02:10 PM	#87
MasterD78 Private First Class 10 Rep 136 Posts Drives: '08 E90 M3 JB/IR Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (3)	On the plug on the passenger side closest to the cabin I found that using a couple short extensions instead of a long one allowed me to lengthen it while putting it in or shorten it while taking it out, and made removal and install of the plug itself a lot easier.
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