DIY: Spark Plug Change N55 (2011 335i Sedan) Video

actionj_99 · 04-10-2013, 01:08 PM

Feedback appreciated. Some advice before you start:

1.) PLEASE USE METRIC TOOLS! This is a European car and guess what measuring system their engineers use? I see other DIY's saying to use SAE or English size sockets and such... It MIGHT work, but you run a big risk of rounding off the nuts/bolts! If you do that, you will need special tools to extract.

2.) Be patient and take your time (2-3 hours). Its tempting to do things right before a run or such, but trying to do a repair under time pressure is not ideal. You run a big risk of doing something wrong and then having to redo it.

3.) Try to do this on a level surface as you are removing a strut brace. And for your own safety should parking brake fail, etc...

Here's Part 1 of the video. Takes you all the way through removing the first spark plug.

And here is Part 2. Takes you all the way through starting the engine back up!

shamu2789 · 04-11-2013, 08:48 PM

That was a great DIY video sir. I'm sure plenty of us on the forum will use it!

chuy5819 · 05-09-2013, 11:20 AM

one of the best made DIY's ive seen great job

dcaron9999 · 03-02-2014, 07:06 PM

Excellent DIY. Congrats! Really helpful as Im lining up to do this soon.

ze_german · 03-04-2014, 11:46 AM

Excellent video!
I want to add that I always cover the pipe going down to the turbo after you removed the air intake at 3:10. If anything falls down there you are screwed. I use a plastic bag and a tie wrap.

Arby1028 · 11-10-2016, 02:35 PM

Excellent DIY - many many thanks.

One hiccup - I thought I could use my existing 14mm spark plug socket. WRONG! You need the thin walled 14mm socket. AutoZone Part No. 72-376.

Phil325i · 11-11-2016, 03:42 AM

Also worth bearing in mind that if your cylinder head spark plug access passage has the 'kink' shown in this video, you may like to think about using an articulated socket:

Brettb1234 · 01-14-2017, 08:17 PM

Old post but deserves appreciation since I used these vids today to change my plugs. First time I've done it to any car and this made it extremely easy.

Arby1028 · 01-15-2017, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettb1234

Old post but deserves appreciation since I used these vids today to change my plugs. First time I've done it to any car and this made it extremely easy.

This DIY Post is definitely not getting the the love and respect it deserves.

csween86 · 04-29-2017, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the video, attempting later this afternoon on my 135i! Does anyone know what the exact etorx socket sizes are for the strut brace bolts?

mjack · 05-31-2017, 08:32 PM

Thank you for this DIY, just changed the spark plugs in my 135is using this. Was pretty easy, just take your time people!

juld0zer · 06-03-2017, 05:18 AM

Definitely use a wobble extension. I prefer the skinny Ko-ken ones. The risk of cracking plugs using straight extensions is too great.

Strut brace bolts are supposed to be disposable items. ie they are a torque plus angle bolt. Usually i just put a 2ft breaker bar on them

cjdzombie · 07-12-2017, 10:35 AM

Doing this soon. This will be a great help!

lwgrenier · 01-26-2018, 01:07 PM

If I'm doing my valve cover gasket will this add much more time? would be nice to kill two birds with one stone.

delmarco · 03-17-2018, 09:55 AM

Dealership just told me $480 to $500 for this job.

I showed him this DIY and laughed at him in decline.

Thanks

Arby1028 · 11-06-2019, 05:43 AM

I used this DIY again this past weekend to replace my spark plugs. Heads-up: be sure not to pinch the windshield wiper wiring harness when reinstalling the right strut brace and bolt. I pinched it when tightening the bolt and severed one of the wires. Didn't know this until I tried to use my wipers. Soldered-in a splice wire and all is good now - easy fix but frustrating.

04-10-2013, 01:08 PM	#1
actionj_99 Private 29 Rep 57 Posts Drives: Ex-BMW Owner Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	DIY: Spark Plug Change N55 (2011 335i Sedan) Video Feedback appreciated. Some advice before you start: 1.) PLEASE USE METRIC TOOLS! This is a European car and guess what measuring system their engineers use? I see other DIY's saying to use SAE or English size sockets and such... It MIGHT work, but you run a big risk of rounding off the nuts/bolts! If you do that, you will need special tools to extract. 2.) Be patient and take your time (2-3 hours). Its tempting to do things right before a run or such, but trying to do a repair under time pressure is not ideal. You run a big risk of doing something wrong and then having to redo it. 3.) Try to do this on a level surface as you are removing a strut brace. And for your own safety should parking brake fail, etc... Here's Part 1 of the video. Takes you all the way through removing the first spark plug. And here is Part 2. Takes you all the way through starting the engine back up!
	Appreciate 2 Brettb123454.50 Krauzen6.50 Tweet Quote

04-11-2013, 08:48 PM	#2
shamu2789 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 272 Posts Drives: BMW E92 '07 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Boston/Portland, ME iTrader: (0)	That was a great DIY video sir. I'm sure plenty of us on the forum will use it! __________________ Afe Stage 2 Magnum Intake - Custom SS Exhaust - AG M359 Staggered - CF spoiler
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05-09-2013, 11:20 AM	#3
chuy5819 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2011 355i E90 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, Tx, USA iTrader: (0)	one of the best made DIY's ive seen great job
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2014, 07:06 PM	#4
dcaron9999 Major 157 Rep 1,409 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M package Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mirabel, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Excellent DIY. Congrats! Really helpful as Im lining up to do this soon. __________________ 2011 X3 35i with M pack + 2011 135i w/6SPMT \| 255 square tire setup \| Quaife 3.46 LSD \| Diff lock down bracket \| Bilstein B8+Swift SpecR springs+H&R FSB \| CDV delete \| BMS Oil Tstat bypass \| ER FMIC & CP \| N54Tuning DP \| GC Street Camber Plates \| M3 FCA +guide rods+RSFB's+Tranny mounts \| Manzo toe arms \| Cobb Stg2 agressive tune \| Hawk DTC70 brake pads \| RB SS brake pistons \| Goodridge SS brake lines \| Custom brake cooling ducts
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03-04-2014, 11:46 AM	#5
ze_german Autobahn Addict 22 Rep 173 Posts Drives: '11 E92 N55 6MT Msport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	Excellent video! I want to add that I always cover the pipe going down to the turbo after you removed the air intake at 3:10. If anything falls down there you are screwed. I use a plastic bag and a tie wrap. __________________ defi boost gauge in custom 3d printed pod, jb4, bms cdv/cs, er cp, vrsf 7" ic, m3/poly diff/tranny mounts, st coilovers, cyba 3.8 tips
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11-10-2016, 02:35 PM	#6
Arby1028 Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan (e90) Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Excellent DIY - many many thanks. One hiccup - I thought I could use my existing 14mm spark plug socket. WRONG! You need the thin walled 14mm socket. AutoZone Part No. 72-376.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-11-2016, 03:42 AM	#7
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Also worth bearing in mind that if your cylinder head spark plug access passage has the 'kink' shown in this video, you may like to think about using an articulated socket: __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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01-14-2017, 08:17 PM	#8
Brettb1234 Private First Class 55 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 6MT 335i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	Old post but deserves appreciation since I used these vids today to change my plugs. First time I've done it to any car and this made it extremely easy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2017, 03:11 PM	#10
csween86 DSC OFF 23 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, N55, 6MT, MPK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Yelm, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 (N55) BMW 135i [0.00]	Thanks for the video, attempting later this afternoon on my 135i! Does anyone know what the exact etorx socket sizes are for the strut brace bolts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-31-2017, 08:32 PM	#11
mjack Private 23 Rep 87 Posts Drives: X3 M Competition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Midwest iTrader: (4)	Thank you for this DIY, just changed the spark plugs in my 135is using this. Was pretty easy, just take your time people! __________________ 2020 F97 X3 M Competition Donington Grey Retired: 2018 G01 X3 M40i Carbon Black Retired: 2018 F80 M3 Individual Blue Retired: 2013 E82 135is Carbon Black Retired: 2007 E90 335i Silver
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06-03-2017, 05:18 AM	#12
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Definitely use a wobble extension. I prefer the skinny Ko-ken ones. The risk of cracking plugs using straight extensions is too great. Strut brace bolts are supposed to be disposable items. ie they are a torque plus angle bolt. Usually i just put a 2ft breaker bar on them
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2017, 10:35 AM	#13
cjdzombie First Lieutenant 76 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i xDrive, M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Doing this soon. This will be a great help! __________________ 2011 E92 335i xDrive M-Sport MHD 93 Stage 2+ \| xHP Stage 3 \| xDelete \| Catless Downpipe \| Phoenix Racing Intercooler \| ARM CP \| AFE Drop In Filter
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01-26-2018, 01:07 PM	#14
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 117 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	If I'm doing my valve cover gasket will this add much more time? would be nice to kill two birds with one stone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2018, 09:55 AM	#15
delmarco Major 494 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi Deep Sea Blue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Westchester County, NY iTrader: (1)	Dealership just told me $480 to $500 for this job. I showed him this DIY and laughed at him in decline. Thanks __________________ VISIT MY GARAGE TO SEE MY BMW E90 MODS: http://directory.e46fanatics.com/use...Mod&UcId=20832
	Appreciate 1 Krauzen6.50 Quote

11-06-2019, 05:43 AM	#16
Arby1028 Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan (e90) Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I used this DIY again this past weekend to replace my spark plugs. Heads-up: be sure not to pinch the windshield wiper wiring harness when reinstalling the right strut brace and bolt. I pinched it when tightening the bolt and severed one of the wires. Didn't know this until I tried to use my wipers. Soldered-in a splice wire and all is good now - easy fix but frustrating.
	Appreciate 0 Quote