135i Spark Plug replacement DIY...

[cedavis34]

I figured I'd post a couple pics of my plugs since I waited a little longer than I should have to change them. I could lie and say I was a perfectly responsible owner and changed them at 45k miles, but instead they had 58000 miles on them. I find it convenient that I had my car in to the dealer with 43k miles, and they didn't do them then, or say anything about it, but oh well. They all were very uniform, which was slightly re-assuring, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.





I also didn't really notice an increase in power or how it ran after the change, but I think I'm also due for the fuel injector reprogram or recall. I feel ever so slight hesitations on normal driving sometimes, but have never gotten a light or anything. Crank times are getting up there too so maybe a second HPFP as well.

[Dackelone]

I just saw this video that Cobb made to show you how to change out a bad coil or bad spark plug. I think watching this video will be a big help to anyone changing their spark plugs.

[Adam135]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I just saw this video that Cobb made to show you how to change out a bad coil or bad spark plug. I think watching this video will be a big help to anyone changing their spark plugs.

Definitely! Thanks for the link, I just ordered a new set of plugs a few days ago.

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I just saw this video that Cobb made to show you how to change out a bad coil or bad spark plug. I think watching this video will be a big help to anyone changing their spark plugs.

Thanks Dack, u r awesome, A helpul guide to change the spark plugs and coil packs.

* Note: This car has a 1M strut bar on it, any benefits?

Thanks.

[DanHazelrigg]

Thanks for the write-up. Great Help! Cheers

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

Thanks Dack, u r awesome, A helpul guide to change the spark plugs and coil packs.

* Note: This car has a 1M strut bar on it, any benefits?

Thanks.

I think so. So does Harold bc he sells the conversion kit.


M3 Strut Tower Brace Kit for your 128i 135i
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ight=strut+bar

[bmw1racer]

Nice write up...

Funky looking plugs, requiring a deep 12-point socket.

[TimMc]

Thanks yet again Dack!
I'll be doing this in a few days time before hitting the track on Friday. I'm at 24,00km but had had a misfire code come up for cylinder 1 last month on track.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by TimMc

Thanks yet again Dack!
I'll be doing this in a few days time before hitting the track on Friday. I'm at 24,00km but had had a misfire code come up for cylinder 1 last month on track.

Did you fix(replace) anything when you got that misfire code? IF not... you might want to move coil #1 to say cylinder #2 - if you get a code for cylinder #2 then you know its your coil pack for that cylinder.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Did you fix(replace) anything when you got that misfire code? IF not... you might want to move coil #1 to say cylinder #2 - if you get a code for cylinder #2 then you know its your coil pack for that cylinder.

Not yet Dack. Good idea. I'll swap coil 1 & 2 while I've got it all apart replacing the plugs.
By coincidence I had the code come up again (only the 2nd time ever), tonight. Gave it a bootful in 2nd gear, engine light came on and then ran VERY rough. Pulled over, stopped, restarted and all good again, but the new 29CD code remains.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by TimMc

Not yet Dack. Good idea. I'll swap coil 1 & 2 while I've got it all apart replacing the plugs.
By coincidence I had the code come up again (only the 2nd time ever), tonight. Gave it a bootful in 2nd gear, engine light came on and then ran VERY rough. Pulled over, stopped, restarted and all good again, but the new 29CD code remains.

Hummm.... well... its (probably) either a bad coil or plug. Watch that Cobb video - bc it is easy to snap the coil packs back improperly. You have to make sure the electrical harness goes/slides back onto the coil pack correctly. Maybe someone was in your engine before and did not do that correctly? Or it could be a bad coil/plug. G.L. and Report back!

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Hummm.... well... its (probably) either a bad coil or plug. Watch that Cobb video - bc it is easy to snap the coil packs back improperly. You have to make sure the electrical harness goes/slides back onto the coil pack correctly. Maybe someone was in your engine before and did not do that correctly? Or it could be a bad coil/plug. G.L. and Report back!

I had a similar issue with my Kawasaki last year. Cylinder no. 3 misfiring. I changed the plugs and swapped 3 & 4's coils over but still had a misfire. It turned out to be clogged jets in no. 3's carburettor...
I had my injectors checked & four were subsequently replaced in the 135 about 2,000km ago.

[TimMc]

Put new plugs in, swapped coils 1 & 2, deleted misfire code & went to track day yesterday. All good

[kensington]

I cant believe the dealer wants $350 to do this.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by kensington

I cant believe the dealer wants $350 to do this.

It is quite an easy job to do. You only need a special spark plug tool and maybe a torque wrench.

Getting that LR 6mm cheasehead bolt(allen) out from the corner of the valve cover is about the only hard part of the job. Go slow and take your time. Be carefull when tugging up on the coil packs - they can break(!).

Watch that video... it really nothing special about doing this job yourself. IF you have changed the pollen filter or put in a pigg tune... you know how to do 90% of the job!


Dackel

[Racing135i]

Nice Post! Very informative!

[takrdown]

What am I doing worng?

I just went to changed the spark plugs at the 90k point (the dealer did them at 45k) and when I went to start the car up after I changed them out I got multiple misfires from different cylinders...mostly 1 and 6.

I followed the DIY on the site, torqued the plugs to 23nm, and made sure the coils were well seated. The car ran perfectly before I started.

I bought the OEM spark plugs from BAVAUTO and verified that they are the exact same as the ones I took out. I've even gone as far as swapping coils and putting in the old plugs but that has fixed nothing.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by takrdown

What am I doing worng?

I just went to changed the spark plugs at the 90k point (the dealer did them at 45k) and when I went to start the car up after I changed them out I got multiple misfires from different cylinders...mostly 1 and 6.

I followed the DIY on the site, torqued the plugs to 23nm, and made sure the coils were well seated. The car ran perfectly before I started.

I bought the OEM spark plugs from BAVAUTO and verified that they are the exact same as the ones I took out. I've even gone as far as swapping coils and putting in the old plugs but that has fixed nothing.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

I would double check the coil pack connectors - it is possible to close them too quickly and the electrical connector doesn't sit correctly in the coil pack.
Watch that Cobb video again to see what I mean.

IF you STILL are having miss fires... I would remove those two cylinders(#1 & #6) and switch them with a "good" cylinder plug(from one of the rest, #2 thru #5) and restart up the engine and see IF you get any misfires. When you remove those two misfiring plugs... take a real close look at the gap. It is possible that one of the electrode tips is bent or not gap'd correctly. IF you have a spark plug gap gauge use it to double check the gaps.

Or maybe just reinstall two of your old spark plugs for now. Maybe get two new ones from BAVAUTO.

The reason why I bought my plugs at the dealer(more $$ I know...) was to avoid such a problem. Some say there is no difference. But I had read a few posts on the e90 forum about problems with using plugs from not a BMW dealer.

Please post and let us know what the problem was.

Good Luck,
Dackel

[takrdown]

Thanks for the reply but I'm just going to throw in the towel and have it towed to the dealer. I'm so pissed off right now. I've already buttoned up the car. I flinch every time I start the car after swapping something and I hear the mess under the hood. I feel like I'm doing permanent damage. I'll let you know how it works out but since it's a holiday weekend I'm without a car for a bit.

BTW last time I got a 1, 3, and 6 misfire with a multiple misfire code.

[Dackelone]

So... I got this PM the other day from J-Sud...

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Hey David,

Ok here is the scoop..

135 N54

plug 12-12-0-037-050 ( unknown prongs ) replaced on 1/7/2008 by....

plug 12-12-0-034-087 ( unknown prongs ) replaced on 1/11/2008 by ....

12-12-0-037-244 ( 3 prong, not 4 ) in current production

135 N55

plug 12-12-0-037-575 ( unknown prongs ) replaced on 3/17/2009 by ....

12-12-0-037-582 ( single prong )


both of theses plugs were visuially confirmed and in my hands.

all application currenta s of this morning ..

(Please post on thread, as i could not find the one that you were referencing )

Regards,

Alex

Btw... J-Sud told me in another PM today his dealer gave him the wrong plugs. So... J-Sud... I think you should post your part numbers.


Also NOTE my failing memory as the plugs I used in my car were THREE pronged not four pronged.

Dackel

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

So... I got this PM the other day from J-Sud...





Btw... J-Sud told me in another PM today his dealer gave him the wrong plugs. So... J-Sud... I think you should post your part numbers.


Also NOTE my failing memory as the plugs I used in my car were THREE pronged not four pronged.

Dackel

The correct part number from the dealer i received is in fact 12-12-0-037-244, as I have the N54.

The original part number they gave me was 12-12-0-037-582, for my 2009, Spet 08 build, which are for the N55.

Now just need to find time to change them since the long weekend is over! Dackel, thanks for the help, I hope this clarifies somethings for others.

Remember, always check the part numbers that the dealer gives you.

[takrdown]

The plugs I used before the misfire matched the part numbers that were in the car. Those new plugs are from BAVAUTO though. The car is with Mark at Northeast Motor Werks in Middletown, CT as we speak so I'll let you guys know what he figured out. BTW both plugs old and new that I had were 3 prong.