DIY - Spark Plug Change - 2008 E92 M3

[badbimmer]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

So if the head of the ignition coils break off, what the best way to get them out? I was all excited to get this job done and luckily decided to start on the passenger's side since it seems that's the harder side. I take the cover off and this is what I see



The head on the first two coils are broken off. The last time this was worked on was at 30,000 by my local dealer. So pissed! I contacted the dealer to see if they will replace the coils but being that I'm out of warranty by quite a bit (67,000 miles) and that 30,000 mile replacement happened in October 2010, I doubt I'll get anything out of them. I'd almost rather they just give me the new coils and let me install it but I have no idea how I'm going to get those broken ones off now.

vise grip or wrench. Just pull them out any way you can. They are broken anyway.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

So if the head of the ignition coils break off, what the best way to get them out? I was all excited to get this job done and luckily decided to start on the passenger's side since it seems that's the harder side. I take the cover off and this is what I see


The head on the first two coils are broken off. The last time this was worked on was at 30,000 by my local dealer. So pissed! I contacted the dealer to see if they will replace the coils but being that I'm out of warranty by quite a bit (67,000 miles) and that 30,000 mile replacement happened in October 2010, I doubt I'll get anything out of them. I'd almost rather they just give me the new coils and let me install it but I have no idea how I'm going to get those broken ones off now.

The best way to remove is to loop a wire under where the harness plugs in and force it upwards and trapping the wire against the coil body (as per the picture). It's very easy. It happened to one of the coils against the firewall, and that's what I did. You can glue the top back, if you still have it and continue to use, but use the method I told you to remove in the future. The top is only there to attach the BMW special tool and Peter's plug remover. Under it is all protected. But super-gluing the top will keep the dust off. Good luck!

[808MGuy]

Got those broken coils removed and replaced no thanks to the dealer. After a lengthy argument with the service manager, he agreed to give me 2 replacement coils but told me they would not touch my car anymore. Not that I would let them anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion on the wire method. It worked perfectly. I even had to use it on the #4 coil (passenger's side closest to the firewall) because I couldn't get enough leverage on the tool to remove the coil.

Here' s pic of the broken coils and the removed plugs. The plugs don't look to bad after a little over 37k miles.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

... Thanks for the suggestion on the wire method. It worked perfectly. I even had to use it on the #4 coil (passenger's side closest to the firewall) because I couldn't get enough leverage on the tool to remove the coil.

Here' s pic of the broken coils and the removed plugs. The plugs don't look to bad after a little over 37k miles.

I am glad it worked for you. I used this method to get the coils out closer to the firewall, like you said couldn't get enough leverage in the right space. The other alternate is to drill a hole in Peter's tool and attach a wire or a rope and then pull it out. There is no room to put your hand in and work.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

I am glad it worked for you. I used this method to get the coils out closer to the firewall, like you said couldn't get enough leverage in the right space. The other alternate is to drill a hole in Peter's tool and attach a wire or a rope and then pull it out. There is no room to put your hand in and work.

There actually is a hole in his tool that could have been used for that purpose.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

There actually is a hole in his tool that could have been used for that purpose.

You're right ... he put a hole in only his first batch. Subsequent batches didn't have one because the feedback he got after the first was there was no necessity for the hole. I have a later one, and I drilled. It was easily done.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Got those broken coils removed and replaced no thanks to the dealer. After a lengthy argument with the service manager, he agreed to give me 2 replacement coils but told me they would not touch my car anymore. Not that I would let them anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion on the wire method. It worked perfectly. I even had to use it on the #4 coil (passenger's side closest to the firewall) because I couldn't get enough leverage on the tool to remove the coil.

Here' s pic of the broken coils and the removed plugs. The plugs don't look to bad after a little over 37k miles.

Busted coils is why I just used my fingers to remove the coils; the plastic gets brittle quick with the heat of the engine.

[osteome]

So the dealer wants almost $800 to change plugs (2009, 27,000 miles)!

I pm'ed TXStig to see if he has any tools left, but does anyone have a recent good soruce for plugs? In looking through the thread it is apparent that prices are variable and the wrong plugs have been sent in the past to a number of folks.

Thanks.

[gimmethemuumuu]

Check my previous post about rockauto.com. I just got plugs for my my wife's 328i and their prices are still quite low and shipping is cheap and fairly quick.

[osteome]

Originally Posted by gimmethemuumuu

Check my previous post about rockauto.com. I just got plugs for my my wife's 328i and their prices are still quite low and shipping is cheap and fairly quick.

Thanks!

[exmowner]

any puller tools left?

[exmowner]

Just finished replacing 7 of the 8 plugs....

Yes that's right 7, the 8th one is a PITA. I tried just about everything I could think of.

My last option will be to try with two 3'' extensions and a swivel 3/8 adaptor.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by exmowner

Just finished replacing 7 of the 8 plugs....

Yes that's right 7, the 8th one is a PITA. I tried just about everything I could think of.

My last option will be to try with two 3'' extensions and a swivel 3/8 adaptor.

Yeah, that one is a bitch. I had to use this extension:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[exmowner]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Yeah, that one is a bitch. I had to use this extension:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll try this when I get home if not i'll order the one you provided the link too!

Thanks

[xfactor]

Anyone has a puller that they want to sell. PM me if interested.

[Longbow64]

I removed the ECU cover and pulled the most forward rubber wire gromet up to make a little room. I was able to get in from the ECU area near that gromet with a 10" extension.