impee's DIY Spark Plug Change

If you happen to find this DIY useful, you have an option of showing your appreciation by making a donation towards my hard work...simply by using PayPal, by clicking below.

If you happen to find this DIY useful, you have an option of showing your appreciation
by making a donation towards my hard work...simply by using PayPal, by clicking below.

our

Prices:

Professional labour costs for Spark Plug change - £55 (private) or £155 (BMW)

DIY costs for Spark Plug Change - £25 (approx - for tools which can be used again & for other projects)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Approximate time for this project: 1.5 hours

items	INFORMATION	OUTLET	QUANTITY	PRICE*
Bosch Super 4 Spark Plugs 510	http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk ORIGINAL BMW PLUGS ARE NGK, HOWEVER BOSCH ARE EXACTLY THE SAME	http://www.halfords.com	1	£22.00
Spark Plug Wrench 10mm		http://www.halfords.com	1	£7.00
SOCKET WRENCH		http://www.halfords.com	1	£14
socket wrench extension (LONG ONE)			1	^
10mm socket			1	^
Screw driver set	ESPECIALLY REQUIRED IS THE HEXAGON SHAPED BIT SHOWN IN PHOTO AT STEP #3	http://www.halfords.com	1	£4

*some prices & figures are approximate

Assemble your kit :)

Below is the total kit I used to change the Spark Plugs for my BMW e46 318i. Mind you, from what I remember I don't think I actually used the spanners in the 2nd photograph.

The Spark Plugs change should take about 40 mins, depending on how well you follow the instruction given below and if you have the correct tools.

I used Bosch Super 4 spark plugs (instead of BMW NGK ones) which are the best of the Bosch line of plugs and are fine for more or less any other car,however there are different versions of this same spark plug. The version number depend on the gap of the spark plug as each car requires a different gap for the ideal spark to be created. My car is a 318i e46 N42 2002 2000cc 4 Cylinder takes version 510, however do double check this with the shop before you buy them.

2)	Engine Photograph - Illustration
	This photograph shows the engine with all the covers still on.
	The order in which covers and components are meant to be removed is illustrated below i.e. 1, 2,3 & 4. This order must be followed to allow easy access to the spark plugs.

Engine Photograph - Illustration

This photograph shows the engine with all the covers still on.

The order in which covers and components are meant to be removed is illustrated below i.e. 1, 2,3 & 4. This order must be followed to allow easy access to the spark plugs.

Remove the Pollen filter cover & casing

First Remove the Pollen Filter Cover by turning the 3 small knobs as identified at the bottom of this photograph (only 2 knobs shown), then remove the pollen filter)

Next use a small hexagon sized screwdriver or drill bit and remove the 4 securely tightened screws as identified at the top of the photograph and then remove the large tray beneath them.

Next unclip the hoses running across in the middle.

4)	Remove main large BMW cover
	NexRemove the main big BMW cover at the front of engine (#2 in photograph) by pulling it away from the clips.
1)	2 clips at the front
2)	1 hook on the left
3)	One large hose on the right

Remove main large BMW cover

NexRemove the main big BMW cover at the front of engine (#2 in photograph) by pulling it away from the clips.

2 clips at the front

1 hook on the left

One large hose on the right

5)	Remove Oil Filter Cap
	Remove the oil cap by squeezing it on two sides and then pulling it up (as indicated on the cap itself).

Remove Oil Filter Cap

Remove the oil cap by squeezing it on two sides and then pulling it up (as indicated on the cap itself).

Spark Plugs casing cover

Next remove the cover underneath the oil cap by simply pulling it up to release it from small clips holding it down.

Next put the oil cap back on (from where it was removed) to avoid "any" dirt getting in to the oil chamber.

	Lots of plastic everywhere.

Lots of plastic everywhere.

7)	Spark Plugs cover
	As you can see below there are 4 spark plugs. Each of them is covered by a small rectangle cover (Plug Fastener) with wires attached to it.

Spark Plugs cover

As you can see below there are 4 spark plugs. Each of them is covered by a small rectangle cover (Plug Fastener) with wires attached to it.

8)	Swap Spark Plugs
1)	One you have removed the Ignition Coil , check for any dust / dirt in the hole. If you see any (I had quite a bit dust) use a dust blower to blow it out
NOTE: BLOW THE DUST BEFORE YOU REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG!
2)	Next use the ratchet spanner with the extension and the Spark Plug socket to remove the spark plug. As the car is cold the spark plugs may be really tight. If you don't have a ratchet spanner another idea (if you want to try) is to start the car and let the engine warm up a bit, this will loosen the tight spark plugs, but then you may burn yourself while changing them...so be careful. Take out the old spark plug and put it to a side.
3)	Next use the Blue handle Spark Plug wrench tool (as shown in the kit photograph) and place the new spark plug into it and lower it down into the hole. Tighten the spark plug to a hand tight finish - meaning just keep turning it till you need to apply some pressure, at which point stop. I recommend you use this blue handle tool so you can be sure you tighten the Spark Plug only to a hand tight finish as with a ratchet spanner it is a little difficult to tell.
4)	Next use the Ratchet spanner and give the spark plug a final tight 90 degrees turn (as specified on the box of your spark plugs which depends on the seat of your spark plug). Do not under or over tighten the spark plug, this may have an effect on engine performance.

source Bosch

Swap Spark Plugs

One you have removed the Ignition Coil , check for any dust / dirt in the hole. If you see any (I had quite a bit dust) use a dust blower to blow it out

NOTE: BLOW THE DUST BEFORE YOU REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG!

Next use the ratchet spanner with the extension and the Spark Plug socket to remove the spark plug. As the car is cold the spark plugs may be really tight.

If you don't have a ratchet spanner another idea (if you want to try) is to start the car and let the engine warm up a bit, this will loosen the tight spark plugs, but then you may burn yourself while changing them...so be careful.

Take out the old spark plug and put it to a side.

Next use the Blue handle Spark Plug wrench tool (as shown in the kit photograph) and place the new spark plug into it and lower it down into the hole. Tighten the spark plug to a hand tight finish - meaning just keep turning it till you need to apply some pressure, at which point stop.

I recommend you use this blue handle tool so you can be sure you tighten the Spark Plug only to a hand tight finish as with a ratchet spanner it is a little difficult to tell.

Next use the Ratchet spanner and give the spark plug a final tight 90 degrees turn (as specified on the box of your spark plugs which
depends on the seat of your spark plug). Do not under or over tighten the spark plug, this may have an effect on engine performance.

source Bosch

Assessment

Next look at your old spark plugs and match them with the different type of spark plugs as specified in this document. This will help you diagnose any problem or issues with your engine.

In the below photograph you can see (at the bottom end of the photo) the worn out NGK Spark Plug (on the right) which has a totally worn out electrode (in the centre at the bottom of the Spark Plug) - infact it does not have any electrode left, where as the new Bosch Spark Plug has a Protruding white electrode.

10)

Take your car for a drive - its ready for take off!!! :)

5)	Lower down the Ignition Coil and firmly push it in place over the Spark Plug. Then push back in the wire socket at the top and lower the Plug Fastener clip.
	1 Plug done!!!
	Now repeat this process with the remaining 3 spark plugs - one by one. Once finished put back all the covers in the order of 4,3,2,1.

1)	Put your finger into to clip hole on the Plug Fastener (rectangle cover), raise it up and pull. This will raise and release the Plug Fastener cover.
2)	Next pull the wires socket (#4) away from the Plug Fastener to disconnect it from the Ignition Coil.

3)	Next put you finger back into the clip (#2) on the and pull it up to raise the Ignition Coil (#1). I was able to pull 2 of them up rather easy, but 2 were a little stiff. Rotate it left and right if it is stiff and it will loosen up then pull the Ignition Coil (rubber cord thing which is about 7 inches long and is attached to the spark plug #3) out of the hole.

source BMW