How do my spark plugs look to you? (pics)

BigRussia · 08-09-2015, 10:35 AM

Replaced my spark plugs and two faulty coils yesterday. They have only about 25k miles on them, I pulled them at 63k and were installed by BMW under warranty at 38K. I've been on JB4 Map 1 for about the last <1k miles. Last week coil 6 failed and I had to drive on five cylinders for a day, it was replaced last week. Coils 5 and 3 were replaced with the plugs. Coil 5 didn't actually fail or throw codes, I just saw it had a tear in the rubber when testing coil 6 and preemptively replaced it (interestingly it had the darkest plug). Coil 3 gave me a misfire code right after I had replaced coil 6 but it had started working again after I restarted the car, nice of it to give me a warning that it was failing unlike coil 6 did.

Here are the pics starting with #6 going forward
6
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5

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4

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3

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2

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1

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Comparisons with new
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To me the old plug's center metal 'rod' (don't know the exact term) definitely looks worn down and much thinner. But the biggest concern to me is that all the plugs are very white-ish...is my car running lean?

Adam135 · 08-09-2015, 01:31 PM

Silenus · 08-09-2015, 11:32 PM

When was the last time the injectors were replaced? #5 will be the first to fail, or at one point was failing before it was replaced.

BigRussia · 08-10-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam135

That generic chart is like from the 90s lol. Ive seen it since I was a teen and was aware of it, but I don't think its a good reference for a modern DI engine using tri electrode spark plugs. Hence why I made this post to get an analysis more specific to our cars and engines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silenus

When was the last time the injectors were replaced? #5 will be the first to fail, or at one point was failing before it was replaced.

Interesting analysis thanks! My SA printed out my cars entire maintenance history during my last CPO visit, it looks like none of the injectors have ever been replaced, all of them are the factory originals!

drewster99 · 08-10-2015, 12:58 PM

5 is the worst obviously but none of them look that bad to me.

livnpaintball2 · 08-11-2015, 12:14 PM

Have them do a walnut blast.

08-09-2015, 10:35 AM	#1
BigRussia Captain 152 Rep 984 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: SFL iTrader: (5)	How do my spark plugs look to you? (pics) Replaced my spark plugs and two faulty coils yesterday. They have only about 25k miles on them, I pulled them at 63k and were installed by BMW under warranty at 38K. I've been on JB4 Map 1 for about the last <1k miles. Last week coil 6 failed and I had to drive on five cylinders for a day, it was replaced last week. Coils 5 and 3 were replaced with the plugs. Coil 5 didn't actually fail or throw codes, I just saw it had a tear in the rubber when testing coil 6 and preemptively replaced it (interestingly it had the darkest plug). Coil 3 gave me a misfire code right after I had replaced coil 6 but it had started working again after I restarted the car, nice of it to give me a warning that it was failing unlike coil 6 did. Here are the pics starting with #6 going forward 6 5 4 3 2 1 Comparisons with new To me the old plug's center metal 'rod' (don't know the exact term) definitely looks worn down and much thinner. But the biggest concern to me is that all the plugs are very white-ish...is my car running lean? __________________ 2004E46M36MTCBCinn 'Clubsport'
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08-09-2015, 01:31 PM	#2
Adam135 Captain 72 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (2)
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08-09-2015, 11:32 PM	#3
Silenus Second Lieutenant 98 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	When was the last time the injectors were replaced? #5 will be the first to fail, or at one point was failing before it was replaced.
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08-11-2015, 12:14 PM	#6
livnpaintball2 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 260 Posts Drives: E82 N54 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dfw iTrader: (0)	Have them do a walnut blast. __________________ 08 135 SB DCI, VRSF 7" fmic, VRSF DP, Berk street, Wavetrac!, Koni yellows, eibach sways, M3 lca, Dinan plates, poly bushings, JB4 iso5, E85, Alpina flash/m3 paddles, CP, walbro, and other crap. VVT Stg1
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08-10-2015, 12:58 PM	#5
drewster99 Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 1 SERIES Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	5 is the worst obviously but none of them look that bad to me.
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