Faulty Spark Plug- Common Problem?

Three Pedal Steve · 09-04-2019, 09:09 PM

2013 M3 original owner here, with 89k totally trouble-free miles. It had been 37k since the spark plug/trans&diff fluid change service, so I took it to my dealership and they did the work.
Five days later the yellow service engine warning indicator displayed. Took it back to the dealer and they diagnosed a faulty spark plug and replaced it under warranty- no charge.
Now, five days later the service warning indicator has displayed again. Have another appointment with the dealership. My question is: Has anyone heard of a faulty new BMW spark plug?
Maybe there was a bad lot of spark plugs and these things will be failing one at a time. Thoughts?

roastbeef · 09-04-2019, 10:16 PM

Not really. Maybe your coils are taking a dump. Ask them if the fault is coming back on the same plug.

Three Pedal Steve · 09-06-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Not really. Maybe your coils are taking a dump. Ask them if the fault is coming back on the same plug.

The service order says, "Found misfire cyl 2 present. Swapped coil 2 to cyl 3 and spark plug 2 to cyl 1, after test drive confirmed misfire fault followed to spark plug cyl 1. Removed and replaced spark plug. Cleared fault. Work performed under warranty.

dparm · 09-06-2019, 01:48 PM

Meh, could be a bad batch or they didn't torque it down properly. I wouldn't sweat it, bad plugs isn't really a "common problem".

roastbeef · 09-06-2019, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

The service order says, "Found misfire cyl 2 present. Swapped coil 2 to cyl 3 and spark plug 2 to cyl 1, after test drive confirmed misfire fault followed to spark plug cyl 1. Removed and replaced spark plug. Cleared fault. Work performed under warranty.

the tech was testing the plug and the coil. sounds like it was just the plug.

kinimd · 11-01-2024, 07:45 AM

This has happened to me twice with my F80 M3 -

The first time, when changing the plugs, the dealer used the wrong gap spark plugs. It blew the coils as well, so had to replace plugs and coils.

Second time, did spark plugs change, soon after, cylinder #6 misfired, no engine code. Dealership noted faulty plug and coil and replaced both.

09-04-2019, 09:09 PM	#1
Three Pedal Steve Captain 1165 Rep 652 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 coupe' 6mt Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Under a Waterfall in Highlands NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00]	Faulty Spark Plug- Common Problem? 2013 M3 original owner here, with 89k totally trouble-free miles. It had been 37k since the spark plug/trans&diff fluid change service, so I took it to my dealership and they did the work. Five days later the yellow service engine warning indicator displayed. Took it back to the dealer and they diagnosed a faulty spark plug and replaced it under warranty- no charge. Now, five days later the service warning indicator has displayed again. Have another appointment with the dealership. My question is: Has anyone heard of a faulty new BMW spark plug? Maybe there was a bad lot of spark plugs and these things will be failing one at a time. Thoughts? __________________ memories: '71 2002 (new), '72 Bavaria, '74 2002tii, '00 540i Sport
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-04-2019, 10:16 PM	#2
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11865 Rep 12,880 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Not really. Maybe your coils are taking a dump. Ask them if the fault is coming back on the same plug. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
	Appreciate 1 Three Pedal Steve1165.00 Quote

09-06-2019, 01:48 PM	#4
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3928 Rep 8,631 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette, Spec E46, G87 M2 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Meh, could be a bad batch or they didn't torque it down properly. I wouldn't sweat it, bad plugs isn't really a "common problem". __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2001 BMW Spec E46 race car, 2025 BMW M2 Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
	Appreciate 1 Three Pedal Steve1165.00 Quote

11-01-2024, 07:45 AM	#6
kinimd New Member 8 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 Competition Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	This has happened to me twice with my F80 M3 - The first time, when changing the plugs, the dealer used the wrong gap spark plugs. It blew the coils as well, so had to replace plugs and coils. Second time, did spark plugs change, soon after, cylinder #6 misfired, no engine code. Dealership noted faulty plug and coil and replaced both.
	Appreciate 0 Quote