[Eric335]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

+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]

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.