Spark plug life

[wolfe]

Been chasing a misfire with no codes for a couple of weeks, and decided to replace all the plugs and coils (which resolved it).

I believe BMW says the spark plug interval is around 100k; my plugs were pretty much done at 65k.

I'm told that as the plugs wear and the electrode gap gets bigger, the ECU works the coils harder to create a good spark. This causes the coils to wear out which is what happened to my car.

I'd guess somewhere around 40-50k would be a good time to check/replace the plugs, and hopefully reduce the likelihood of needing coils too.

[Dackelone]

That sounds about right. BMW says the plugs on a NA engine should last 100K. But I am sure the performance at 100K is what it use to be when the plug was new. 50K or 60K sounds like a good interval to change them out.

Dackel

[Suhb]

I'm chasing a similar misfire. Except I've already changed the spark plugs at 60k. I wish the car would throw a code so I can swap out the necessary coil pack. I really don't want to change all 6 coil packs at 80k miles.

[honestzergtea]

I'm having these random misfires without any CEL being thrown. I have the NGKs in the garage ready to be dropped in as soon as i get around to it..I'm expecting few of the coils failing soon. Just over 63k right now.

[andrey_gta]

My misfires began on Cyl 3 and then Cyl 4 failed too within a month.

If you can allow your self, buy all 6 coils and swap.

Or maybe you can buy 1 coil pack and send an afternoon with your engine cover off and the Hvac turned off swapping the new into a new spot between test drives..

[DecoyPL]

just changed mine yesterday at 70K (KM) Easy job, piece of mind, and old ones didnt look the greatest thats for sure. Cost 60$ Canadian

[Gangplank]

N54 or n55?

If I recall n52 is around 100k
N54 at 45-50k
N55 at 55-60k

Anyone know?

[DecoyPL]

mine is a non turbo n52 128i

[E91WAG3N]

Planning to change mine out in the next couple months. Currently sitting at 54k. Mike Miller's schedule recommends to check them and replace at 60k

[jaye944]

I've never EVER waited for a long interval

I usually did the following on my previous cars

every service (that I did I did the following)

Remove / clean / refit
Remove / Replace
Remove / clean / refit
Remove / Replace & plug leads
Remove / clean / refit

ad-nauseum, usually every 5-10k what ever was the recommended service interval
i.e. minor / major service

plugs & leads I dont' even sweat it

on my ford and porsche also here neon and caravan

Originally Posted by wolfe

Been chasing a misfire with no codes for a couple of weeks, and decided to replace all the plugs and coils (which resolved it).

I believe BMW says the spark plug interval is around 100k; my plugs were pretty much done at 65k.

I'm told that as the plugs wear and the electrode gap gets bigger, the ECU works the coils harder to create a good spark. This causes the coils to wear out which is what happened to my car.

I'd guess somewhere around 40-50k would be a good time to check/replace the plugs, and hopefully reduce the likelihood of needing coils too.

[Suhb]

It wasn't my coil packs but ended up being my spark plugs. Kinda sad to see OE spark plugs misfire after 20k miles.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Suhb

It wasn't my coil packs but ended up being my spark plugs. Kinda sad to see OE spark plugs misfire after 20k miles.

Where did you buy your spark plugs from ?

[Suhb]

I got them from ecstuning. 12120037663

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Suhb

I got them from ecstuning. 12120037663

OEM or OE is NOT the same as a new part bought from a BMW dealer. Especially for the N54/N55 motors they seem especially sensitive to aftermarket parts(which is what an OEM or OE part is). Its something in the ceramic core of the plug that is different from the BMW-Bosch plugs that the dealer sells. Aftermarket plugs just say "Bosch" and not "BMW-Bosch".

I would buy new plugs from a BMW dealer and see how the engine runs. I be that's your problem. Or... throw more marts at it(coil packs and fuel injectors) only to figure out it was your aftermarket plugs.

I would replace spark plugs every 60K miles on a NA engine. Every 30K on a turbo N54/N55. AND if your running a tune, sooner than that.

[Suhb]

Spark plugs were changed at 60k. I'm at 80k now. 12120037663 is the part number listed on RealOEM for spark plugs. The plugs came in BMW labeled boxes and do have BMW stamped on them. Although there's a surprisingly good amount of carbon on them for 20k miles. Does BMW honor their 2 year parts warranty on items like spark plugs?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Suhb

Does BMW honor their 2 year parts warranty on items like spark plugs?

You should contact ESC Tuning. A BMW dealer will not honor parts sold from a third party. You need a BMW dealer's parts order/receipt in order to make a parts warrany claim.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Suhb

Spark plugs were changed at 60k. I'm at 80k now. 12120037663 is the part number listed on RealOEM for spark plugs. The plugs came in BMW labeled boxes and do have BMW stamped on them. Although there's a surprisingly good amount of carbon on them for 20k miles. Does BMW honor their 2 year parts warranty on items like spark plugs?

Nothing visually wrong with that plug. Insulator/electrode/gap look OK, obviously can't measure gap. Not the best photos to assess, but it/they don't even look worn, the edges are sharp, insulator color looks normal.

[ztrack157]

Those "BMW" plugs look fine to me. Anyone changing out plugs before 100k is doing two things one is wasting money the second is buying piece of mind. But thank you I appreciate the business.

[ztrack157]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

OEM or OE is NOT the same as a new part bought from a BMW dealer. Especially for the N54/N55 motors they seem especially sensitive to aftermarket parts(which is what an OEM or OE part is). Its something in the ceramic core of the plug that is different from the BMW-Bosch plugs that the dealer sells. Aftermarket plugs just say "Bosch" and not "BMW-Bosch".

I would buy new plugs from a BMW dealer and see how the engine runs. I be that's your problem. Or... throw more marts at it(coil packs and fuel injectors) only to figure out it was your aftermarket plugs.

I would replace spark plugs every 60K miles on a NA engine. Every 30K on a turbo N54/N55. AND if your running a tune, sooner than that.

Dackelone where do you get your knowledge from? OE means specifically Original Equipment. The warning sign is when it says OES which means yeah we were originally OE at some point but not now. I assure you the Bosch or NGK Spark Plug (depending on who is OE for the app) equivalent are the exact same as the OE part the only difference is your not having to pay dealer Mark up because they added BMW to the plug.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ztrack157

Dackelone where do you get your knowledge from? OE means specifically Original Equipment. The warning sign is when it says OES which means yeah we were originally OE at some point but not now. I assure you the Bosch or NGK Spark Plug (depending on who is OE for the app) equivalent are the exact same as the OE part the only difference is your not having to pay dealer Mark up because they added BMW to the plug.

There is a difference - besides just the price. The inner ceramic core of the spark plug is different. Some people who have used non-BMW bought plugs, have run into misfire problems. They have discovered that it was related to the aftermarket plugs. When they installed BMW dealer bought plugs - the misfire went away.

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Nothing visually wrong with that plug. Insulator/electrode/gap look OK, obviously can't measure gap. Not the best photos to assess, but it/they don't even look worn, the edges are sharp, insulator color looks normal.

BMW says that the spark plugs for a 135i should be changed every 45K mles and NOT every 100K miles. For the NA motors, the spark plug change interval is 100K miles. And for the N54T engine(1M & Z4) the spark plug interval is 30K miles.

I would never run spark plugs that long(100K miles) in my own car. Sure the engine might run, but it won't be making full power. And besides... when you go to remove those 100K old plugs... I bet they won't be the easiest thing to remove either.

And BTW... BMW AG installs this decal when you order a PPK for a N54/N55 engine... it says that the spark plugs should be changed first 67K kilometers(or 41K miles) and then every 60K kms or 37K miles!!

[ztrack157]

Agreed on the FI apps. I was speaking to the NA component as this is the n52 section last I checked. As for the 100k and not being easy to remove. Speaking specifically to the NGK's they are cold rolled and trivalent coated so removal will not be an issue on that side. Also the misfire claims can be from a number of factors if it were true everyone should have the exact issue not just some. Can you elaborate on the specific inner ceramic core variance? Also do you know what the two primary functions of a spark plug are?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

There is a difference - besides just the price. The inner ceramic core of the spark plug is different. Some people who have used non-BMW bought plugs, have run into misfire problems. They have discovered that it was related to the aftermarket plugs. When they installed BMW dealer bought plugs - the misfire went away.




BMW says that the spark plugs for a 135i should be changed every 45K mles and NOT every 100K miles. For the NA motors, the spark plug change interval is 100K miles. And for the N54T engine(1M & Z4) the spark plug interval is 30K miles.

I would never run spark plugs that long(100K miles) in my own car. Sure the engine might run, but it won't be making full power. And besides... when you go to remove those 100K old plugs... I bet they won't be the easiest thing to remove either.

And BTW... BMW AG installs this decal when you order a PPK for a N54/N55 engine... it says that the spark plugs should be changed first 67K kilometers(or 41K miles) and then every 60K kms or 37K miles!!

Attachment 1356399

The plugs in the pictures are only at 20k miles.