Replacing Spark Plugs - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Eric335 · 11-04-2012, 07:48 PM

I ordered myself a set of spark plugs and the spark-plug removal socket from N54Tuning.com.

Ive never replaced spark plugs myself before, so im not entirely sure what to do. If you could list some specific things that i will need to do, or videos/DIYs on how to change plugs, i would appreciate it. I tried to search the forum, but to no avail (other than on a 330i, and it wasnt very in-depth).

Some general questions:
1) How do i set the 'gap'? I heard its 0.04 for my Bosch plugs, but im not sure how i will set this?
2)Do i need to use lube for next time i replace them?
3)What tools will i need other than the 12 pt socket? Link: N52/N54 Spark Plug Tool
4)Videos/threads on what to do?

Any info you can give will be appreciated! I am changing the plugs as a step to stop my misfires/long-cranks/rough idle. Next will be checking the coilpacks, and eventually intake valves if the plugs/coils dont fix it. Ill also re-flash the Procede to make sure thats not the issue. Ill post up another thread with the codes i get sometime this week (busy tonight/tomorrow).

Eric

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 11-04-2012, 07:53 PM

1) plugs come already gapped
2) i haven't used any lube
3) ratchet, extender arm, 8 mm socket to take off cowl and ac filter, 5 mm to take off engine cover, finger to pull off coil
4) you don't need one.

Eric335 · 11-04-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTech335coupe

1) plugs come already gapped
2) i haven't used any lube
3) ratchet, extender arm, 8 mm socket to take off cowl and ac filter, 5 mm to take off engine cover, finger to pull off coil
4) you don't need one.

Thanks for the info! I usually use pliers to get the cowl/ac filter off, so im good on that. Ill just need to find an extender arm and 5mm socket.

E90Company · 11-04-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric335

Thanks for the info! I usually use pliers to get the cowl/ac filter off, so im good on that. Ill just need to find an extender arm and 5mm socket.

What do you mean you use pliers?!

Eric335 · 11-04-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Company

What do you mean you use pliers?!

Its a PITA, but when i installed the Procede, i used pliers to get the ac filter/cowl off. I had about 45* to turn the pliers before it would get stuck, so the AC filter bolts took like 5 minutes a piece haha. It sucked, but i didnt have metric wrenches available. Im gana pick up a set soon though. Damn imperial units....

skinrock · 11-04-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric335

Its a PITA, but when i installed the Procede, i used pliers to get the ac filter/cowl off. It sucked, but i didnt have metric wrenches. Damn imperial units....

Buy yourself a nice 100-150 piece toolkit. Seriously, if you want to work on your car, it's the best thing you can buy, and you can get it for $125 or less.

Eric335 · 11-04-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinrock

Buy yourself a nice 100-150 piece toolkit. Seriously, if you want to work on your car, it's the best thing you can buy, and you can get it for $125 or less.

Ill probably end up doing that, since i plan on maintaining this car myself to well over 100k miles (im at 38k ). Except for the turbos. Ill let Shiv deal with those

skinrock · 11-04-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric335

Ill probably end up doing that, since i plan on maintaining this car myself to well over 100k miles (im at 38k ). Except for the turbos. Ill let Shiv deal with those

Be sure to get a set with ratchet extenders and open ended wrenches. That's the mistake I made.

Eric335 · 11-04-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinrock

Be sure to get a set with ratchet extenders and open ended wrenches. That's the mistake I made.

Thanks for the tip!

OT: Also, just looking at your cars photos, and your interior looks awesome! What vinyl did you use to wrap the trim? Just some 3M gloss-black stuff?

chicagob5 · 11-04-2012, 08:24 PM

+1 on the toolkit idea

You wont get everything you need, but you can usually find alternatives within the kit and add on later.

example:
Today i needed a T10 bit to move the ashtray assembly to another trim set. I only had a T20 in my box, so i looked around and found a hex key that worked great!

skinrock · 11-04-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric335

Thanks for the tip!

OT: Also, just looking at your cars photos, and your interior looks awesome! What vinyl did you use to wrap the trim? Just some 3M gloss-black stuff?

They were painted gloss black. I actually recently switched to the M3 leather trim.

11-04-2012, 07:48 PM	#1
Eric335 Colonel Drives: 2007 E92 SG 335i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,460 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [3.83]	Replacing Spark Plugs I ordered myself a set of spark plugs and the spark-plug removal socket from N54Tuning.com. Ive never replaced spark plugs myself before, so im not entirely sure what to do. If you could list some specific things that i will need to do, or videos/DIYs on how to change plugs, i would appreciate it. I tried to search the forum, but to no avail (other than on a 330i, and it wasnt very in-depth). Some general questions: 1) How do i set the 'gap'? I heard its 0.04 for my Bosch plugs, but im not sure how i will set this? 2)Do i need to use lube for next time i replace them? 3)What tools will i need other than the 12 pt socket? Link: N52/N54 Spark Plug Tool 4)Videos/threads on what to do? Any info you can give will be appreciated! I am changing the plugs as a step to stop my misfires/long-cranks/rough idle. Next will be checking the coilpacks, and eventually intake valves if the plugs/coils dont fix it. Ill also re-flash the Procede to make sure thats not the issue. Ill post up another thread with the codes i get sometime this week (busy tonight/tomorrow). Eric __________________ My ///Mods (clickable):Procede Rev2.5 SE, Active Autowerke DPs, AlpineMSS HID AEs, Black Kidneys+Lower Grill, Golf-tee Mod, M3-Style Spoiler
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11-04-2012, 07:53 PM	#2
GeorgiaTech335coupe Lieutenant Colonel Drives: Black BMW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,841 iTrader: (0)	1) plugs come already gapped 2) i haven't used any lube 3) ratchet, extender arm, 8 mm socket to take off cowl and ac filter, 5 mm to take off engine cover, finger to pull off coil 4) you don't need one. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.

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11-04-2012, 08:24 PM	#10
chicagob5 Second Lieutenant Drives: 07 335i sedan Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 218 iTrader: (0)	+1 on the toolkit idea You wont get everything you need, but you can usually find alternatives within the kit and add on later. example: Today i needed a T10 bit to move the ashtray assembly to another trim set. I only had a T20 in my box, so i looked around and found a hex key that worked great!