Spark plugs

bimmaa · 12-07-2020, 10:26 AM

Hi Everyone,
My 335i has been collecting dust in my garage as I've been feeling slightly unmotivated/defeated following my road trips to california from colorado and the issues that have occurred during those times.

Besides the point, I started taking off a few things including taking off my precision raceworks coil kit and pulling the spark plugs. The plugs and coils on cylinders 1 and 6 were bone dry, however on cylinders 2-5 the plugs and coils has deposits of black all over. I have attached a few pictures to better explain.

Anyone have any idea what this could be? Carbon deposit? Oil? Fuel? Planning on checking and replacing the valve cover and getting a walnut blast kit soon but in the mean time, any help is greatly appreciated.

fredcase · 12-07-2020, 11:50 AM

Valve cover is cracked, leaking oil into the plug tubes.

borskii · 12-07-2020, 01:38 PM

2nd vote for valve cover. Carbon deposit is on the intake side, so you can do the walnut blast, but it's not the source of the sludge. New valve cover, gasket, and maybe upgrade the PCV valve while you are in there.

Tyc0 · 12-08-2020, 11:23 PM

I wouldn't jump to valve cover replacement as those are expensive. But the gasket is not, buy that, replace, drive for awhile, check the plugs again.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 12-08-2020, 11:41 PM

Either valve cover is crack or valve cover gasket.

If you just do gasket I'd do whole cover if it's original it might probably crack when disassembly.

borskii · 12-09-2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyc0

I wouldn't jump to valve cover replacement as those are expensive. But the gasket is not, buy that, replace, drive for awhile, check the plugs again.

Doing it twice would seem PITA if he did end up having hairline crack in the VC.

Maybe buy the VC, remove old one and inspect. And if looks good, return the VC?

BSM n54iS · 12-09-2020, 10:10 PM

Doing a job halfway is another reason so many people hate the n54, do it right the first time and replace the vc and vcg. Upgrade the PCV system while you are in there as well as a new valve cover having clean and clear pcv ports will benefit you greatly. I recommend RB external and plug the ports since you will have the access already. Carbon blasting as well is a great idea.

nicky dj · 12-12-2020, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borskii

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyc0

I wouldn't jump to valve cover replacement as those are expensive. But the gasket is not, buy that, replace, drive for awhile, check the plugs again.

Doing it twice would seem PITA if he did end up having hairline crack in the VC.

Maybe buy the VC, remove old one and inspect. And if looks good, return the VC?

Just by the VC and get it over with. The gasket comes with a new VC.

12-07-2020, 10:26 AM	#1
bimmaa New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Aurora Colorado iTrader: (0)	Hi Everyone, My 335i has been collecting dust in my garage as I've been feeling slightly unmotivated/defeated following my road trips to california from colorado and the issues that have occurred during those times. Besides the point, I started taking off a few things including taking off my precision raceworks coil kit and pulling the spark plugs. The plugs and coils on cylinders 1 and 6 were bone dry, however on cylinders 2-5 the plugs and coils has deposits of black all over. I have attached a few pictures to better explain. Anyone have any idea what this could be? Carbon deposit? Oil? Fuel? Planning on checking and replacing the valve cover and getting a walnut blast kit soon but in the mean time, any help is greatly appreciated. Attached Images __________________ m
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12-07-2020, 11:50 AM	#2
fredcase Captain 261 Rep 776 Posts Drives: Bmw=trash Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Noyb iTrader: (1)	Valve cover is cracked, leaking oil into the plug tubes.
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12-07-2020, 01:38 PM	#3
borskii Private 15 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 335is 6MT Join Date: May 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	2nd vote for valve cover. Carbon deposit is on the intake side, so you can do the walnut blast, but it's not the source of the sludge. New valve cover, gasket, and maybe upgrade the PCV valve while you are in there.
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12-08-2020, 11:23 PM	#4
Tyc0 Lieutenant 147 Rep 517 Posts Drives: BMW e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't jump to valve cover replacement as those are expensive. But the gasket is not, buy that, replace, drive for awhile, check the plugs again.
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12-08-2020, 11:41 PM	#5
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2657 Rep 6,290 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Either valve cover is crack or valve cover gasket. If you just do gasket I'd do whole cover if it's original it might probably crack when disassembly.
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12-09-2020, 10:10 PM	#7
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,202 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	Doing a job halfway is another reason so many people hate the n54, do it right the first time and replace the vc and vcg. Upgrade the PCV system while you are in there as well as a new valve cover having clean and clear pcv ports will benefit you greatly. I recommend RB external and plug the ports since you will have the access already. Carbon blasting as well is a great idea. __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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