- To access the spark plugs at the back of the engine, remove the drain tray that is attached underneath the windshield. A strut brace is mounted over the engine on some versions. It can be taken out for easier access, but it is not required.
- Engine cover removal. Remove any screws holding it in place if there are any. Pull the lid off if no screws can be seen.
- The ignition coil is a connector that a holding clip holds in place. Open the retaining clip slowly. Unplug the wiring harness for the ignition coil.
- Remove the ignition coil. Do not apply undue force if it is stuck. You could break it or cause the silicon insulator to separate. To make it “pop out,” move it around a little bit, twist it back and forth, then pull out simultaneously.
- In older engines, the ignition coils have removable rubber connector boots. If your engine has any of them, pulling will probably cause them to separate from the ignition coil. They will need to be removed individually.
- Check ignition coils for contaminants or cracks if you plan to reuse them. Do not reuse any of these if you find any.
- Look inside the spark plug hole for any oil or debris. Clean it if there is any before removing the spark plug. Be particularly careful because when the spark plug is taken out, any leftover debris can fall into the cylinder.
- Unfasten the spark plug and carefully remove it from the plughole using the proper socket, extension, and ratchet.
- Examine the spark plug directly. It can provide a wealth of information regarding the condition of the engine and that particular cylinder.
- Place the spark plug’s top side into the 3/8 “elastic hose with a 3/8 “Using a rubber hose as a hand tool, hand-tighten the spark plug into the cylinder head plug thread all the way.
- With the aid of a torque wrench, extension, and the proper socket, tighten spark plugs to the required torque.
- Replace the rubber connector boots on engines that have removable connectors for ignition coils. Before installation, dab a little amount of silicone grease on the inner spark plug side of the boot.
- installation of the ignition coil assembly. As soon as you hear a “pop,” push it onto the spark plug.
- Lock the retaining clips after connecting the wiring harness to the ignition coil. Check the connector again for any looseness. Reinstall the engine cover, the scuttle drain, and any additional items in the same order that they were removed.
- Start your BMW engine and watch it in action.
- Utilize the instrument cluster to reset the spark plug reminder.
In This Article...
How To Change Your BMW’s Spark Plugs And Ignition Coils (E90, E60, X3, X5, Z4)
Your spark plugs and ignition coil boots deteriorate over time as a result of numerous thousands of ignition cycles. Misfires and poor ignition may result from this deterioration. Even though they can be simply replaced, spark plugs and ignition coils are frequently disregarded. You can get your automobile operating as smoothly as the day you bought it with the help of Gareth Foley and our ignition service kits.
How Frequently Should BMW Plugs and Coils Be Replaced?
It is challenging to estimate the lifespan of the spark plugs and ignition coils because, obviously, not all BMW engines are created equal. The lifespan of the components in your BMW ignition system may be impacted by modifications, driving behavior, and product brand. Spark plugs typically wear out in substantially tuned engines that are used on tracks or pushed to their absolute limits on public highways. On the other hand, the spark plugs in grandma’s factory BMW may be preserved and allowed to travel farther than the mileage at which they should be changed without experiencing problems. The approximate life expectancy of certain BMW components is as follows:
- Mileage for spark plugs: 40,000–50,000
- 50,000–65,000 miles on ignition coils
- 15,000 miles on the spark plugs
- 20,000–25,000 miles on ignition coils
These are the general mileages that people who fall into the first two groups can anticipate from their spark plugs and ignition coils. Others may find that the lifespan of their BMW ignition parts is more evenly distributed, leaning either way depending on their customizations and driving habits. For instance, because I drive aggressively and my 2007 BMW 335i N54 engine is modified, my spark plugs normally last approximately 22,000 miles whereas the ignition coils last slightly over 30,000 miles (I do not track the car).
What is the price of changing the spark plugs in a BMW?
Best in Automotive Repair Spark plug repair for a BMW 328i typically costs between $219 and $347. Between $150 and $189 is the projected range for labor expenditures, while the cost of parts ranges from $69 to $158. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
How frequently should BMW spark plugs be replaced?
Spark plugs must be replaced every 60,000 miles in the majority of contemporary BMWs built after 2010 with the N20 or N55 engines. For BMWs with V8, V10, N54, or N63 engines, 37000 miles is the minimum distance before replacement spark plugs are required.
How can I tell if the spark plugs in my BMW are bad?
Your automobile may feel a touch “odd,” which is possibly the most evident indicator of damaged spark plugs. It could begin slowly with something as straightforward as poor gas mileage, but it might end up with a lack of acceleration.
Can I replace my own spark plugs?
For a four-cylinder engine, changing spark plugs takes approximately an hour, and you can do it yourself and save at least $100 in labor costs. Most of the time, it’s a straightforward task that will help to maintain optimum performance and the best gas mileage.
What may go wrong if you replace your spark plugs?
The tips of improperly installed spark plugs may come into touch with the engine’s pistons and cause severe damage.
How can I tell if I need to replace my spark plugs?
- Starting the automobile is difficult.
- The engine stalls out.
- More frequently, you’re stopping at the gas station.
- The idle of the engine is noisy and harsh.
- Your automobile has trouble picking up speed.
- When driving normally, the engine is rather noisy.
- You have a check engine light on.
How can spark plugs be checked without removing them?
- affix an ignition wire tester to the spark plug. The tester’s other end is connected to the spark plug that is currently installed in your engine.
- Activate the ignition.
- Watch the transparent sides of the tester while you start the engine or, if it won’t, simply flip it over. You can be certain that there isn’t a spark at the crucial spark plug tip if there isn’t a visible spark or glow. Does this indicate a defective plug? No, not always. Yes, a faulty spark plug is a possibility, but an ignition system malfunction could also be to blame for a lack of spark.
What is the time required to change a spark plug?
I’m considering changing my own car’s spark plugs to save money, but I don’t have much free time during the workweek. How long do spark plug replacements typically take?
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Fortunately, replacing a spark plug in a four-cylinder car only takes approximately an hour. The procedure can take at least an hour longer for V6 engines.
Even while it may seem much simpler to leave our automobile in the hands of a mechanic, doing the spark plug replacement yourself can save you over $100 in labor costs alone.
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Should I unplug my battery before changing the spark plugs?
When trying to replace the spark plugs in their car, this is a common query that individuals have. The battery does not need to be disconnected in order to replace the spark plugs, is the response. You may just detach the spark plug from the engine and then remove the spark plug wire from it.
Additionally, when working on anything electrical, it’s crucial to disconnect the negative connection of your automobile battery. Any mishaps will be less likely as a result. Before changing your spark plugs, make sure the engine of your automobile has completely cooled. By doing this, it will be simpler to remove the plugs and the ignition coil boot or spark plug wire.
Should I swap out my BMW’s ignition coils all at once?
Do I need to change each ignition coil individually? No. One coil pack serves two engine cylinders, and the defective coil pack should be the only one changed.
There is no chance that one faulty coil pack will have an impact on the others. Additionally, there is no middle ground for call packs; they either work or they don’t. There is less possibility that others will alter if you merely fix the broken one.
Replacing the coil packs that are still functional and in good condition would actually be a mistake. Better and more dependable than untested brand-new coil packs are older coil packs that are in good operational shape.
If your spark plugs are damaged, can you still drive your car?
Using faulty spark plugs when driving Because they are worn out, the spark plugs cannot ignite the gasoline mixture. You could have a small window of time to drive to the closest auto repair shop to get the plugs replaced if they start to generate weak sparks before reaching their maximum mileage, but the trip won’t be comfortable.
What is the most effective tool for removing spark plugs?
Just a few tools are required to replace the spark plugs in your car. The most crucial equipment is a spark plug socket and an extension for a socket wrench. There are two sizes available for spark plug sockets: 5/8 inches and 13/16 inches. The rubber insert included in most spark plug sockets keeps the plug firmly in place.
If it’s tough to get to your spark plugs, you could also require a universal joint. The wrench can be turned in one axis and converted into a rotation around another axis using universal joints, which are articulated joints. A universal joint might be useful if you can’t fit a wrench and extension in the area surrounding your spark plugs.
It’s crucial to avoid overtightening the spark plugs when changing them. The threads in the cylinder head or the spark plug may be harmed if it is overtightened. Make sure you don’t overtighten your plugs by using a torque wrench. The torque you apply when twisting a torque wrench is indicated via a gauge on the tool.
While the majority of contemporary spark plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, having a gapping tool on hand is a smart idea. Using a gapping tool, you can check if the gap between the ground electrode above the spark plug’s center electrode is the appropriate size. The spark on your spark plug ignites here.
A pair of boot pliers, a length of rubber tube, a clean rag, some rubbing alcohol, a tube of anti-seize, compressed air, or a wet/dry vacuum may also be useful to have on hand. Although not necessary for a straightforward spark plug replacement task, these supplies can make sure that everything goes according to plan.