Changed N55 spark plugs

[kleach18]

I went ahead and ordered some plug from BMS and went to install them today but didn't. Not sure exactly why they at different?

Maybe some of you spark plug pros can judge how my cars running based on the color/condition of the old ones. From what I can tell they still look usable since the new ones are the wrong ones.

Oh and it's a pain in the ass changing the spark plug on our N55's compared to the N54's......

[Acheron83]

Wrong plugs, mate. Those new ones are for the N54 only.

[Freon]

Yeah I don't think the N55 uses the three ground prong style for whatever reason...

[135Pats]

Tough to tell since the plugs look dry, but is that oil on the threads? Good news is the electrodes look clean so there’s nothing fouling on the combustion end of things. But you could have a leaky valve cover gasket, assuming that darkness I’m seeing is dried up oil. Any oil in the plug housing when you removed it? If so, good bet your VC gasket is shot. Not at all uncommon on N54s.

[kleach18]

Originally Posted by Acheron83

Wrong plugs, mate. Those new ones are for the N54 only.

Figured they were replacements for N54. Does anybody know where to get replacement N55 plugs other then the dealership? I actually cleaned the stock ones and put them back in.

[kleach18]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Tough to tell since the plugs look dry, but is that oil on the threads? Good news is the electrodes look clean so there’s nothing fouling on the combustion end of things. But you could have a leaky valve cover gasket, assuming that darkness I’m seeing is dried up oil. Any oil in the plug housing when you removed it? If so, good bet your VC gasket is shot. Not at all uncommon on N54s.

No oil or anything in the plug housing. They looked spotless.

[Focusedintntions]

Why wouldn't the 3 prong plug work? A spark is a spark no?

[Freon]

It appears the N55 plugs may have Iridium tipped electrodes. The N54 plugs I'm not certain, but the center electrode is much larger and sticks out flush to the 3 ground prongs. Either way, they're a different style plug. You'd probably have to ask a BMW engineer why they chose each type of plug for each engine. I would not try your luck swapping between the two, but I suppose it's your car.

Well besides those N54 plugs, your old plugs look good, as in the engine was running well right before you took took them out.

You can see some wear on the inside of the tip of the ground, which is normal. A bit of the ground get vaporized every time the plug fires right where the spark jumps the gap.

The white powdery looking finish on all the surfaces is normal. It would be bad if they had black carbon build up (a tiny bit here and there is ok), or had wear on other surfaces, or if the electrode had any damage or wear.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by kleach18

No oil or anything in the plug housing. They looked spotless.

Probably just some dirt and grime that built up. Good stuff

[Suds]

Originally Posted by kleach18

Maybe some of you spark plug pros can judge how my cars running based on the color/condition of the old ones.

I don't claim to be a pro, but from the pictures, there dosent seem to be that much eroded metal, missing metal on either side of the electrode.

Why did you decide it was time to change the plugs? Mileage, timing being pulled or something different?

Myself, the car was pulling timing running Cobb stage 1 aggressive, plug change fixed it.

[kleach18]

Originally Posted by Suds

I don't claim to be a pro, but from the pictures, there dosent seem to be that much eroded metal, missing metal on either side of the electrode.

Why did you decide it was time to change the plugs? Mileage, timing being pulled or something different?

Myself, the car was pulling timing running Cobb stage 1 aggressive, plug change fixed it.

I'm at 18000 miles and have had a tune for most of that. Plus I run a lot of e85 and I was curious how that might of affected the wear and tear on things like spark plugs.

[Suds]

Originally Posted by kleach18

I'm at 18000 miles and have had a tune for most of that. Plus I run a lot of e85 and I was curious how that might of affected the wear and tear on things like spark plugs.

You are probably due, I had 21k miles on my car with 10k tuned when I changed mine. Data logging I could see that some cylinders were pulling timing in a hard pull before the plug change.

Sorry to see you had the plugs for the N54, now you're doing this shit twice is a short time. I get to wait a year or two before I change mine again.

[loesch]

Check out this thread. I just bought these to install in mine. Sounds positive.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20995
The important bit of info is that you need to gap them to .022.

Here are the plugs I ordered...
http://www.amazon.com/NGK-ILZKBR7A-8.../dp/B001RLOI1S

What's the difficult part in changing plugs in the N55? I haven't done it yet.

[Dackelone]

Kris what is the Bosch part number on the plugs you have?

Should make no difference how many electrodes your plugs have. Actually the multi electrode plugs tend to miss fire when a flake of carbon gets stuck between on the electrodes. But that was in the old days - not sure IF thats true with modern engines(read higher spark output).


Here is what RealOEM.com says...


N55 spark plugs BOSCH ZR5TPP33S bmw p/n 12120037582

N54 spark plugs BOSCH ZGR6STE2 bmw p/n 12120037244


Here is what my BMW dealer bought plugs looked like....




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


PS: your old plugs look good. Worn but in good shape and color.

[Suds]

I have no idea why the N54 and N55 have different plugs, but they do. Will the 3 electrode plugs from a N54 work in the N55, we don't know, it's hard to measure the spark gap in the N54 plugs, but I bet the N55 plugs were less expensive to make and control the gap. My guess is the single electrode plug is much easier to make and won't last as long.

So, are you the Guinea Pig, try the N54 plugs, and lead the way?

[kleach18]

@Dackelone, the plugs I got were BOSCH ZGR6STE2.

@Suds, I actually started the car and could instantly tell it was actually running worse. I could hear and feel the engine what sounded like misfiring. I took everything back off and reinstalled the old ones after I cleaned them good with a soft metal brush and brake cleaner. Afterwards, she purred like a kitten.

@loesch, getting all the damn plastic engine covers off was one thing that made it worse then when I helped my friend change his out on his N54. Especially the lower one you have to take off after removing the cowl and everything. That and for some reason BMW decided to mount a wire mount bracket directly over one of the coil/plug wells.

But hey, at least now I can change the plugs in about 30 to 45 minutes

[Bmwbreed]

You have 18k already Kris? Where you been drivin bro. Road tripping over europe like me I guess lol but im only at 10k

[kleach18]

Yeah I have driven all over Europe. I leave in a few months to head back to Texas so I have to take in all the sights before I go. That and when I get bored I go for drives looking for fun roads.

[ONDEMAND]

Originally Posted by loesch

Check out this thread. I just bought these to install in mine. Sounds positive.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20995
The important bit of info is that you need to gap them to .022.

Here are the plugs I ordered...
http://www.amazon.com/NGK-ILZKBR7A-8.../dp/B001RLOI1S

What's the difficult part in changing plugs in the N55? I haven't done it yet.

I know many have used .022 but this was to low for my car

This could simply be a matter of my N55 vs another but with the OEM (BMW BRANDED) plugs a gap of .022 caused rough idle and several codes. One of these codes described "spark duration to short" so I immediately pulled the plugs out and raised the gap to approx .025" and she purs smooth as glass now.

I was using the blade type feeler gage to check the gap. Didn't measure the factory gap on the plugs but it was well above the 0.25 that worked for me.

This is on an FBO n55 with protune for what its worth.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by Suds

I have no idea why the N54 and N55 have different plugs, but they do. Will the 3 electrode plugs from a N54 work in the N55, we don't know, it's hard to measure the spark gap in the N54 plugs, but I bet the N55 plugs were less expensive to make and control the gap. My guess is the single electrode plug is much easier to make and won't last as long.

So, are you the Guinea Pig, try the N54 plugs, and lead the way?

N55 plugs are made with iridium, a metal designed to last longer than platinum. They
Also handle more heat and are less prone to causing pre-ignition. The actual design of the plug, and the differences between n54 to N55 is something a BMW tech would have to answer. As stated above, they are not interchangeable.

[MightyMouseTech]

Yup, I found that out the hard way. Do not put the three pronged plugs in a N55.

Proper Spark Plugs for N55 with PPK
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1087027