[PKumarM3]

Followed the DIY located here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=spark+plug

Tools I used:

ECS BMW Spark Plug Socket
10inch 3/8 extension
3/8 ratchet
Long flat nose screwdriver
LONG needle nose pliers
3/8 Torque Wrench (harbor freight)

Took about one hour and I was taking my sweet time. The coils were not as difficult as I thought they were going to be to install. 3-4-5 took me some time since they were not as easy to remove the cover, but using a flat nosed long screwdriver, i was able to slide the screwdriver through the cap and pull straight up (don't twist or else you can break the nipple).

The other thing that I used was a long needle nose plier to remove the spark plug once it was unscrewed. After that everything was quite simple. Torqued the plugs down to 17lb/ft tq.

I was experiencing some cylinder 5 misfires over the past 2 months which was concerning. I decided that the spark plugs would be the first item I would tackle and if the misfires kept up I would take it in for service. My car is an 09/08 build. I contacted my dealer to see if I were eligible for the injector recall and they said no - but I understand it requires a tech to inspect each injector. We'll see what happens.

So far, the car feels better. Maybe its the butt dyno, but the car feels better. There are also no hiccups on start up. Definitely is healthier. My car had 35,100 miles on it. I think this is a maintenance job that I would do every summer. Its $60, which is quite cheap.

Here are two pics:

old vs. new



ewwww



Its a quick and easy job. Also cheap. Cheaper than an oil change! I don't see why you wouldn't want to do this

Ordered the sparkplugs from Autohausaz.com - came out to around $65 or so shipped.

[DefactoM6]

Lemme guess...2nd in from the right came off of #5...injector time!

Seriously though...definitely was due for plugs, and it probably wasn't just the butt dyno.

[vase330]

Reminds me i need to do mine soon.

[creaminz]

I changed my plugs every 20K. People say overkill, I say good job creaminz.

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by creaminz

I changed my plugs every 20K. People say overkill, I say good job creaminz.

Just like I change my oil every 2k or so

[flyers1470]

OP, you said you were experiencing some cylinder 5 misfires (which I've heard others say they've experienced as well). How are you able to determine this?

[PKumarM3]

Originally Posted by flyers1470

OP, you said you were experiencing some cylinder 5 misfires (which I've heard others say they've experienced as well). How are you able to determine this?

bav technic diagnostic tool

have put on 1k miles on the car since the plugs - no more hiccups during start up!

[KyLu II]

Got mines done yesterday, no more misfies on full throttle!! 32k miles and about 20k tuned. I would Defenetly change it every 15-20k miles if tuned. Plugs get fouled quick due to blow by vapors....

[99three]

Are there any colder plugs for cars yet?

[bluecusion]

diy link does not work..

[KyLu II]

Originally Posted by 99three

Are there any colder plugs for cars yet?

I believe I saw someone on here put some NGK but I think they had issues it it. Can't remember. Do a quick search I'm sure you will find the thread...

[KyLu II]

Originally Posted by bluecusion

diy link does not work..

Instead of clicking it try to copy the link and pasting it on the address bar!

[gboop]

Those plugs look identical to mine when I had my misfires and changed at 40,000.
My misfires were also primarily on cylinder 5 and only with a tune.

Anybody know why cylinder 5 is such a common cylinder to misfire?

[vasillalov]

When is BMW supposed to change the plugs? In my owners manual, IIRC, it is stated that for N54 the spark plugs should be replaced every 25K miles. Now, wouldn't that fall under free maintenance?

I have some cold start misfires which very quickly go away. I've been waiting to turn 25K miles to bring my car in to the dealer to get new plugs. Should I just replace mine on my own, or fight with the dealer?

[gboop]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

When is BMW supposed to change the plugs? In my owners manual, IIRC, it is stated that for N54 the spark plugs should be replaced every 25K miles. Now, wouldn't that fall under free maintenance?

I have some cold start misfires which very quickly go away. I've been waiting to turn 25K miles to bring my car in to the dealer to get new plugs. Should I just replace mine on my own, or fight with the dealer?

I was told by a tech that it's a condition based service that usually gets triggered after the warranty runs out.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491327

My cold start misfires were resolved by leaky injector replacement.
My high-rpm misfire was solved by spark-plug replacement.

[themyst]

When my car misfired on Procede it was almost always cylinder 6.

[wren57]

Mine is always cylinder 6 too. I suspect I have a leaky injector.

[Perfectus]

Is there a test on the BavTech tool that determines which cylinder the misfires are happening in? Or is it just a general code thrown by the engine?

I'm trying to prove to my dealer that I need some or all new injectors, but my car does not fall under the TSB.

I need to replace mine. I already ordered the plugs and tool, just waiting for the weather to be right.

[wren57]

The tool gives you a code. Each code corresponds to one cylinder.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by Perfectus

Is there a test on the BavTech tool that determines which cylinder the misfires are happening in?.

You can monitor each spark plug and log the number of misfires it detects. If the misfires are above a certain average, the ECU will throw a misfire code. However, you can easily spot a failing plug by looking at the number of detected misfires and compare those values with the values you get from the other spark plugs.

[timmahh]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

When is BMW supposed to change the plugs? In my owners manual, IIRC, it is stated that for N54 the spark plugs should be replaced every 25K miles. Now, wouldn't that fall under free maintenance?

I have some cold start misfires which very quickly go away. I've been waiting to turn 25K miles to bring my car in to the dealer to get new plugs. Should I just replace mine on my own, or fight with the dealer?

Service/owners manual states 335 should have spark plug changes every 45k miles.

[Bakeme521]

I changed mine at 45k and i was having terrible misfires, all has been well since.