E46 3-series BMW spark plug replacement
E46 BMW 3-series Spark Plug Replacement
Time required: 45 minutes including taking pictures and detailing your engine bay
Materials/tools required: 10mm socket, spark plug socket, 6" socket extension, anti-seize compound, 6 spark plugs, T30 Torx driver, torque wrench, 1 Franziskaner Hefe-Wisse, bottle opener.
Spark plugs - NGK BKR6EQUP. I believe these are OEM on the M52 and M54 engines (all non-M E46s).
Step 1: Remove cabin microfilter cover. This is done by twisting these three 'knobs' 90 degrees - it then lifts right out:
Step 2: Remove cabin microfilter (it lifts right out) and release wiring harness from microfilter enclosure. This is done by <b>carefully</b> pulling toward you from the bottom then lifting it up:
Here's a picture of it unclipped. There's a second clip on the other side.
Step 3: Unscrew the four T30 screws holding the microfilter enclosure in place. The enclosure then pulls right out. Place it aside (not on the engine like shown :))
Step 4: <b>This step isn't necessary, but I like to check the condition of the engine at any opportunity. It'll also give me a chance to clean under there. A clean engine is a happy engine.</b> Remove the first (top) plastic engine cover. To do this, use a flat-bladed screwdriver to pull out the two covers... then unscrew the bolts with your 10mm socket. Then lift it right off. :
Step 5: Remove the left plastic engine cover. To do this, you'll have to remove the oil cap. You can then pry out the covers and remove the nuts (not bolts this time) with your 10mm socket. Lift the cover right off and place aside, then put your oil cap back on - after all, you wouldn't want to drop anything down there.
Here's a picture of the engine with both covers off:
Step 6: Prepare your spark plug socket and your 6" extension. Spark plug sockets typically have a rubber washer in them to help "grab" the sparkplug. I read a handy tip that helped out here - wrap electrical tape around the socket and extension to keep them from coming apart when pulling the spark plug out:
Step 7:
Here are the coils. In the how-to I had previously linked in the wiki, you had to unbolt the coils. On my car, it's much easier - Pull the edge of the cover up in the direction of the arrow. It rotates up 90 degrees and the wiring plug automatically pops out of it.
The coil then pulls right off and up (don't be afraid to pull hard, it has to "pop" off of the sparkplug:
Here's a picture of the coil out of the car.
I changed the spark plugs one at a time, replacing each plugs coil before proceeding to the next one.
Step 8: (No picture) Place your extension and spark plug socket down into the hole that the coil came out of. Twist it until you can press it down on the spark plug (you'll feel it secure itself). Attach your socket wrench and loosen it - after a turn or so, you'll be able to disconnect your wrench and twist the rest of it out by hand.
Here's a picture of the new plug next to the old plug:
Step 9: Put anti-seize compound on the threads of the new plug. I placed some down the threads as seen here, then used a lint-free microfiber towel to coat the threads all around.
Step 10: Place the new spark plug inside your sparkplug socket and place it down in the hole. Twist by hand, then attach a torque wrench and torque down to 30nm. As you can see, I had no problems using my full size torque wrench even on the back socket. Firmly press the coil back onto the plug, then re-attach the wiring harness. To re-attach it, the top coil lever must be completely up in the vertical position. Then, when you snap it back down to the horizontal position, the wiring harness attaches itself firmly.
Step 11: Start car, verify it runs :).
Step 12: Open Franziskaner Hefe-Wisse with bottle opener. Not bad!
Comments
Fantastic! Thank you!
Perfect instruction. My son and I changed the spark plugs in no time!
comment
Excellente' right down to the brew ....Thanks bud!
Very cool
Thanks for the post, and cheers. Behzad G
Plugs for 2005 BMW 325xi
First off, thanks for this posting. Everything worked as you advised. Not only can I replace these plugs, but can also do the engine coils. I recently paid $140 for a single coil! I had engine stuttering, replaced all the plugs and I'm running smooth again! Many many thanks!!
Sweeeet!
This was the simplest DIY I found online! Thanks!
Thanks a lot from Australia.
Thanks a lot from Australia. Very helpful !
Cheers fella i will try this
Cheers fella i will try this over the weekend :)
Thanks a lot man!! Great
Thanks a lot man!! Great instructions and blog! :)
compound
Thanks for the walk through on how to do this procedure. I have not heard of putting the anti-seize compound on the plugs. It seems like this would help. Do you guys have any specifics on doing this on a Volvo? Does anything change on this vehicle?
over an hour
I guess I am a bit slow, but this procedure took me over an hour. I guess I am still learning. There are a number of tutorials for this sort of thing. I saw one instruction kit on a car loans Indianapolis brochure. This one was one of the better ones that I have read. Thanks.
Spark Plug Replacement
Kris, you just saved me 275.00 bucks. Thank you Mucho!
Step 7 - coil cap lifting
This post is outstanding. I agree that this is what the internet should be about. You gave my son and me the confidence to do the job (2004 325xi). As for lifting the cap on the the coil to get the wire off (Step 7), I found that (when standing on the passenger's side of the car) the caps came off easiest with thumbs forward pressing down and pointer fingers pulling towards me and up. We also got the Bosch plat+4's for $5.99 and saved a ton of money doing the work ourselves. We also replaced the cabin air filter ($35) since it was already out. THANKS!!!!
Changeout of the 325 Spark Plugs
Hey!! Wanted to let you know this post is still useful to some of us taht want to save a little cash and like working with tools! I am fairly good with tools, so this took less than 45 minutes in the 95 degree Alabama sun. Torqued the plugs to 18 ft/Lbs with no anti-sieze compound (per BMW based on them needing an uber ground). The work was on my 2003 325xi that I purchased new, and it currently has 150k miles on it. I never did a plug changeout - so I was not suprised when I pulled out the original OEM plugs (Yea... they looked ate up), and put in a new set of Bosch Plat +4's I got at Autozone for $5.99 a piece. Total investment under $40... and the car runs GREAT! I am currently working on a 1971 AMC Javelin for my fun car - you can see the work at: www.theamcjavelinproject.com. Glad working on the engine of the Javelin is easier than on the 325!! Cheers bud - You da man!!
Thanks Kris
Kris - Thank you for the detailed DIY!!!! I like the last part the best:-) Appreciate all the detail. Thanks, Rob
eKwgnvNneACsgcdd
DidnÂt know the forum rules allowed such brliialnt posts.
You are AWESOME!!!!
You are AWESOME!!!! Excellent tutorial................
Thanks
Thanks Kristopher, just changed plugs easily here in sunny South Africa and your instructions were a breeze! Keep it up and it is people like you that make the internet a fantastic place to be!!!
thanks for the information
Kristopher, your information on the changing of spark plugs was a big help and set up absolutely wonderful, I wish that you had the same set-up for changing the rear breaks, or the breaks, once again thanks and I had a beer for you.
Thaddeus
Torque Wrench
The instructions posted look very easy indeed. The only problem is that I don't own a torque wrench. Is this important or can I just tighten up with the normal socket wrench?
Huge thank you
I was about ready to sell my 325xi early last year after receiving a $2500 estimate for a laundry list of items at the dealership. Your spark plug diy gave me the confidence to start cracking things open and fixing problems on my own. Great work!
Spark plug socket
You might want to buy a special long spark plug socket for about $10 instead of a taping a socket to an extension. Very handy tool especially if you own more than one twin cam car or motorcycle. Nice write up.
Big thank you
Very much apreciated .....your diy info gives me much confidence to go ahead thank you !
thank you MR Kristopher Linquist
thank you MR Kristopher Linquist
You should not use
You should not use anti-seize on spark plug threads in a BMW
RE:"You should not use
RE:"You should not use anti-seize on spark plug threads in a BMW" why not?
because bmw doesnt recommend
because bmw doesnt recommend it. neither does porsche or audi
Yeah, its really not
Yeah, its really not necessary. Anti-seize compound could have a detrimental effect on the firing of the spark because it has some metallic properties that would cause the loss of a good, consistent ground connection if it came into contact with the nose cores of the plug.
All Hail Kristopher!!!
I truely appreciate the info! Now I have the confidence to change the spark plugs. Is it ok if I drink a New Glarus Spotted Cow Bier after I complete the job?
Thank you for your post it
Thank you for your post it made things easy and straight forward. Balanced the laptop on the engine and read it through. Thanks again you've saved me a lot of time :)
Thank you! Only blog on the
Thank you!
Only blog on the whole internet that crystal clearly explains how to: spark plugs (BMW). Your the shit man!
Great Post
Much appreciated. Worked on my 2000 X5.
Thanks I replace my 325 I
Thanks I replace my 325 I sparks today it was a piece of cake I did not have a German beer after I did have a Stella beer anyways everybody talk about NKG sparks for BMW mine was bosh with the bmw stamp on it.
Thank you..
Kris, Well done!!! I consider myself mechanically retarded - although I am a proud Electrical Engineer. I went through this without a glitch. Thank you so much for sharing. A couple of comments to make this procedure even more useful - this is applicable to my 2005 325i with the sports package: 1. I ask readers this: Do not do what I did - I went to BMW and bought the spark plugs. This is not necessary at all. They are about $7 per plug almost anywhere. My local BMW dealer sold me each for $30 - Bill total was $201 after tax and a big smile on the clerk's face, but now I know. In the back of my mind, I just wanted to confirm that what the dealer has is indeed what's in the market. The spark plugs are standard off the shelf Bosch Platinum 4 - mine read this on the side: Bosch FGR7DQP and they are Platinum 4 (with 4 tips). 2. Removing the top plastic cover on my car was slightly easier. You just pull it out (carefully of course). It sits on (4) metal poles sticking out of the engine and the poles plug into rubber seals (sleeves) attached to the bottom of the plastic cover. No screws at all.
Hey Chris, you are a great man
Thank you for your detailed advice with all the pics. Instead of using seize oil, which is somewhat controversial, I applied a little vasalin to lubricate the thread of the plugs. Nonetheless, this is an excellent descrption and easy to follow. BTW, I like your Omega watch :)
Cheers! Very nice
Cheers! Very nice commentary! Very helpful.... Salud! Z
Awesome DIY
Awesome DIY just did everything in about one hour great explanation I would have never of thought to remove the cabin filter, it was very easy thanks again!
sparkplugs
i found putting a screwdriver in the hole of the locking mechanism and prize it up come out noproblem after ten or 15 mins of hurting my fingrs last resort but come out noprobz didnt seem like it was anywhere near ready to crack or break atall :)
U the best.Thanks
U the best.Thanks
Change spark plugs
Thanks for your excellent descriptions. I could not have done the job without this instruction.
Very nice DIY
However it´s Franziskaner Hefe Weizen! ;-)
Great write up! Thank you
Great write up! Thank you for the Owner's Manual too! Dealer wanted almost $40!!!
changing sparkplugs
Thank you! You have a knack for 'splainin' things. Made my night much nicer.
To remove wire loom...
To remove the wire loom simply insert a small stubby flat-head screw driver from underneath, between the plastic and metal. Insert the flat-head underneath the wire loom, between the 2 plastic hooks that clip onto the metal chassis. You will be holding the screw driver with its flat blade facing toward you. There are 2 sides, so do it once for the driver side and then again for the passenger side and the wire loom practically falls off. That's because the screwdriver is then releasing the snaps.
Nice mate ;-) - this has
Nice mate ;-) - this has helped me out this afternoon........cheers
Changing Spark Plugs
Great! Easy to Follow Thank you
Great DIY.
Hi Chris, your DIY is excellent. I just did my spark plugs. Let me tell you, if I hadn't read your instruction I would not have the confidence to simply go in there and do the work. My car has 125K km on it and it's about time to have the spark plugs replaced. I have a 2002 325xi. The coils and the connectors are in slight different configuration (with two bolts to remove) but your instructions are still very applicable. Thanks so much and I look forward to more DIYs.
PLUGS
I HAVE A 2001 330CIC I CANT WAIT TO PULL THE PLUGS ON.BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT NOW IM SURE I CAN.THANKS A-LOT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
This step by step DIY was
This step by step DIY was fantastic for me since my coils are exactly like yours. When I pull up the tab on the top of the coil it actually kind of ejects the plug wire from the socket. The car runs like the day I bought it, cheers to you!
Excellent really helped me
Excellent really helped me out....Cheers!!! Was quoted £450.00 at my local garage bought Bosh Coils to replace a faulty BREM and Denso plugs @ £150.00, from euro car parts UK.
Enjoying a couple of Heinekens...
shall I change them?
Hi Chris, thanks for such explanation... I have a question, about the spark-plug's life time, I got a 325CI 2003 with only 11000 miles (actual) so, shall I change them as they aged 7 years even with only 11k miles? or spark plugs life time don't expire with time, and only the mileage effect them?
anyway I'll change them, after ur amazing explanation, but it's just curiosity :)
thanks again...
-Amin
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