37k Miles - Gonna Replace Plugs...Replace Coils too?

[bodega_bladerunner]

Hi All

Got my 2012 at the end of December and it has been great so far. Last weekend I just started catching up with maintenance bits...changed the oil (it was black sludge, glad I changed it), put in new mahle air filter, and threw in a bottle of bmw fuel system cleaner for kicks and giggles. I was going to replace the spark plugs, but realized I shouldn't have bought the bosch branded plugs, so I ordered the bmw branded plugs and will be doing that this weekend.

I've been getting a bunch of misfire codes and a code related to the fuel rail, not sure if that's related. But I am hoping that replacing the plugs does the trick. If I get the fuel rail code again, I will prob take it in to a shop. But anyway...I'm just wondering, is it worth it to change the coils too? I just want to make sure I have everything I need while I'm in there so I won't have to do it twice. And since coils ain't all that cheap, I want to confirm with you good folks before purchasing.

Thanks in advance

[PA135i]

Get a carbon cleaning and then replace your plugs. (at the same time)

The coils lifespan could be 50K or 120K so I would not spend the extra money on them until they fail. Your misfire may be due to a bad coil though. I had a bad coil replaced in December and the car just would not speed up past 50MPH and then it started bucking a bit. No.4 coil needed to be replaced. All is well now. The other 5 coils are original and the car runs fine. My Indy shop told me, no need to replace as they can last a very long time.

[bodega_bladerunner]

thanks much for the advice. Looks like I won't be doing my plugs this weekend after all lol.
I'll schedule something at my indy shop for the carbon cleaning, give them the plugs to replace, and also ask them to check for a faulty coil.

I have a similar issue as you, except mine bucks like crazy (DCT), then throws the codes. It has only happened a few times. If I'm on the highway, and if it does it on the highway, it usually throws me into limp mode. It I'm sitting in traffic or stoplights, it will do it at idle occasionally, but no limp mode. I typically pull over and restart the car and it'll be fine.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by greenc51

thanks much for the advice. Looks like I won't be doing my plugs this weekend after all lol.
I'll schedule something at my indy shop for the carbon cleaning, give them the plugs to replace, and also ask them to check for a faulty coil.

Perfect. You will be set after those services.

[BoostedE88]

I didn't think the N55 needed the walnut blast as much as the n54. 37k seems a bit early

[bodega_bladerunner]

Originally Posted by BoostedE88

I didn't think the N55 needed the walnut blast as much as the n54. 37k seems a bit early

Is that really the case? If so, I'd like to save my 400 bucks lol

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by BoostedE88

I didn't think the N55 needed the walnut blast as much as the n54. 37k seems a bit early

Agreed but I'd change plugs altogether with coils.

[bodega_bladerunner]

So well dang lol should I cancel the walnut blasting appt I made today and just do the plugs and coils myself?

[PA135i]

Typically, an N54 engine needs a walnut blast at 45K.. same time as the plugs. Some do it sooner ..some do it later. My valves needed it badly according to the shop that did it. I know you have a N55 and they need the blast also. Maybe they don't need it as often.. I'm not sure about that. My first walnut blast was done at the dealer and was covered under warranty. Car through a code. I had about 42K on it.

You WILL need to do a walnut blast at some point. If I were you, I would just get all three done at the same time as you planned and be done with it. But, it's not my money.

[houtan]

A walnut blast with such low miles seems like a waste of money on the N55. There are many posts saying the carbon buildup issue is hugely reduced on the N55. If you search the various forums you will find some examples. here is one: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1122875

[bodega_bladerunner]

I just got my coils from ecs and my spark plugs from an eBay seller.
Question after looking at the coils.
Are they "right" as pictured? I haven't done this job before yet but I have seen videos where they are mostly covered in black rubber. Is that not the case for e82?

[bodega_bladerunner]

Help? Gonna do it on Sunday

[kprocivic]

They look off brand. I'm not sure about the plastic twisty looking middle bottom. But they look compatible by just looking at them. I know the duralast plugs look similar and they work aight with a lifetime warranty.

[bodega_bladerunner]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

They look off brand. I'm not sure about the plastic twisty looking middle bottom. But they look compatible by just looking at them. I know the duralast plugs look similar and they work aight with a lifetime warranty.

Well they're bmw group branded in the little box they came in. Purchased from ECS. But thank you much for the confirmation. I'm gonna throw them in today

[kprocivic]

I forgot your n55.

[bodega_bladerunner]

Box and p/n

[jaye944]

misfire is most common on the coil packs.

some last some don't

you'll find if the pack has gone you'll get a misfire, THEN the plug will foul

so replace the pack, no need to do all 6, just the one

Originally Posted by greenc51

Hi All

Got my 2012 at the end of December and it has been great so far. Last weekend I just started catching up with maintenance bits...changed the oil (it was black sludge, glad I changed it), put in new mahle air filter, and threw in a bottle of bmw fuel system cleaner for kicks and giggles. I was going to replace the spark plugs, but realized I shouldn't have bought the bosch branded plugs, so I ordered the bmw branded plugs and will be doing that this weekend.

I've been getting a bunch of misfire codes and a code related to the fuel rail, not sure if that's related. But I am hoping that replacing the plugs does the trick. If I get the fuel rail code again, I will prob take it in to a shop. But anyway...I'm just wondering, is it worth it to change the coils too? I just want to make sure I have everything I need while I'm in there so I won't have to do it twice. And since coils ain't all that cheap, I want to confirm with you good folks before purchasing.

Thanks in advance