Can anybody help? How do I remove this panel to get to the coils/plugs. Have a pic

[pwn]

Here is the panel, I'm N55 so I realized while going through the cobb video that there are some differences with how I get to the coil packs and spark plugs.

I have the front off, there were some ball looking connectors that just snap into sockets, but the rear area is very tight and I can assume its the same way, but maybe theres a bolt I'm missing or something? Its on there pretty good and I'd rather not break anything.

Here is a link to the photo: http://imgur.com/wJyvTwd

Thanks,
Morgan

[pwn]

Damn, 100 views and nobody knows? Anyone ever changed plugs on an N55...? I'm gonna rip the thing out soon :|

[pwn]

I'm able to get the panel loose, but I can't get it to come out. Seems to be stuck under the strut brace and all the wiring etc...

[Pig Farmer]

I don't know if it is the same on the n55, but on the n54 cover there is a hidden bolt on the passenger side of the cover. The bolt is on the side of the cover but it lines up vertically (not horizontal). It is about 2 inches from the corner of the cover. I would look around in that area, which is just underneath the cross brace.

[Suds]

Originally Posted by pwn

I'm able to get the panel loose, but I can't get it to come out. Seems to be stuck under the strut brace and all the wiring etc...

I removed the bolts for the strut brace, this provided room to lift the cover up off of the posts the back cover was snapped onto. It also alowed me to slide the strut brace out of the way to access all of the coils and plugs.

[pwn]

I was able to get both of the side bolts off of the factory V shaped strut brace, but they move minimally without removing the center bolt at the base of the windshield, which doesn't seem to want to come off. Is it ok to remove it? I haven't been able to find torque specs, I'm debating going and buying an impact driver today.

[hyper1]

Maybe you should ask a dealer.
just incase......

[pwn]

I went and bought PB blaster and an impact gun.

Lets roll! lol

[Dackelone]

You have to remove that bulkhead. First remove the pollen filter cover and then you will see the bolts at the front and back of the black pannel.


135i Spark Plug replacement DIY...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602804

[pwn]

There are no bolts, you're referring to the N54 engine bay. N55 is different in a few ways, but the major issue right now is me not being able to get the last panel out of the engine bay because the strut tower brace is in the way. My buddy and I spent about an hour on it last night and couldn't tetris the thing out.

Side note, impact wrench did nothing tonight. Probably going to bring it to BMW...

[Jason@Cobb]

Hey Guys, Just thought Id see if I could help?

Have you removed the upper bolt and completely removed the strut tower bars?

This might help get the panel out. I just removed ours yesterday for some R&D and had no troubles getting it out.

I have attached a few pics to hopefully help.


Here is the upper bolt that needs to be removed.



carfully remove the wires in the cover.



Pop the cover up and foward, you can see one of the attachment point grommets in this picture.



Then, Tada! Time to do some WORK!

[pwn]

Jason,

Thanks, you've now just officially contributed more to an N55 coil / spark plug change than anybody else on the internet!

My issue is that bolt you have the arrows to, it just doesn't want to come out. I'm pretty much out of options...do you know what the torque spec on that SOB is supposed to be? Counter clockwise...right? I'm just going to take it to a shop and be like hey, take this off please.

[Jason@Cobb]

Originally Posted by pwn

Jason,

Thanks, you've now just officially contributed more to an N55 coil / spark plug change than anybody else on the internet!

Yahooo!!,

Originally Posted by pwn

My issue is that bolt you have the arrows to, it just doesn't want to come out. I'm pretty much out of options...do you know what the torque spec on that SOB is supposed to be? Counter clockwise...right? I'm just going to take it to a shop and be like hey, take this off please.

I don't have the exact torque spec's in front of me, but it was pretty tight. Nothing a half inch breaker bar didn't fix.

Here is the bolt in question, I put a Sharpie next to it for reference. Yes it is "Lefty Loosie, Righty Tighty"

[pwn]

Went to the dealer earlier and had some hulk there break it loose. I changed one of the plugs, but I haven't put the coil pack back in yet because I noticed a lot of sediment and debris above the plug and on the wall down to it. Its also on the coil pack. Here is a pic...should I try to suction it out? Any idea what causes this? Normal?

http://i.imgur.com/xA55Nna.jpg

It actually looks like sand....this is a CPO car I just bought...what the fuck?

[Suds]

There is a lot of sand and dirt on top of you engine and down in the spark plug port. Be carefully if you try to suck that out. You may want to try and plug the spark plug hole before you suck that dirt out.

[pwn]

I put the new plug in, I'm going to try to get something to suction it all out. I have no idea how that much crap gets down there...and crafting something to get suction concentrated and that far down will be interesting.

This is whole experience is an interesting one.