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DIY spark plug change
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- Lifer
- Posts: 8490
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
DIY spark plug change
I'm after a bit of advice please..
The old Z4 (N20) is having an oil change and possibly brake fluid at a local garage (as I can't be doing with the mess and logistics of DIY) but I am planning on changing the plugs, pollen and air filters myself.
Is there anything I need to do specifically to change the plugs? I have a plug socket (14mm I believe) but do I need to check gaps on the new ones, disconnect the battery, lubricate the sealing rings, etc? I have never changed plugs before. The filters are easy peasy.
Ta very much...
The old Z4 (N20) is having an oil change and possibly brake fluid at a local garage (as I can't be doing with the mess and logistics of DIY) but I am planning on changing the plugs, pollen and air filters myself.
Is there anything I need to do specifically to change the plugs? I have a plug socket (14mm I believe) but do I need to check gaps on the new ones, disconnect the battery, lubricate the sealing rings, etc? I have never changed plugs before. The filters are easy peasy.
Ta very much...
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- B21
- Lifer
- Posts: 5438
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:15 pm
- Location: In my Banana Yellow Space Shuttle...somewhere over Southern Caledonia
DIY spark plug change
You need the thin, deep wall version with an articulating joint to get to the back ones..you should always check the gaps, in case they were dropped, mishandled etc, plugs are fitted dry with torque wrench
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toolwiz-Magnet ... 99397&th=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toolwiz-Magnet ... 99397&th=1
Last edited by B21 on Mon Jan 09, 2023 4:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14745
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
DIY spark plug change
Pondrew, if you've never done it before, here's a little tip for you.
Put the car wheels on dollies. Put the socket on the spark plug and hold still while you get wifey to spin the car round.
Put the car wheels on dollies. Put the socket on the spark plug and hold still while you get wifey to spin the car round.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 8490
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- Location: Spaldingski
DIY spark plug change
I've got all the sockets and a torque wrench (23nm I read somewhere) but I haven't got a set of feeler gauges (I don't think)!
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8490
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
DIY spark plug change
This is serious. I am about to embark on a mechanical adventure so I need all my ducks in a row.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- Chris_D
- Lifer
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- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
DIY spark plug change
The 'logistics' of an oil change??
Wow.
It's like saying I can fry an egg but I can't be doin with them sausages. They're a bit beyond my skillset.
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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DIY spark plug change
Quality advice right here
2.0 m sport (suspension / steering wheel/scuff plates) cupholders sapphire black with factory hard top. Needs a little tlc but loving it.
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- Lifer
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DIY spark plug change
OK if it makes you happy I will put it another way:
I am too feckin old and knackered to be lying under a Z4 and messing about with sump plugs. I am also not quite poor enough to have to!
Better?
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
DIY spark plug change
You knackered old fart.
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8490
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
DIY spark plug change
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- grannyknot
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm
DIY spark plug change
Almost all spark plugs these days, the good ones at least come with a plastic cylinder covering the electrodes and preventing the gap from getting bumped. If you don't want to buy a spark plug gaping tool you'll probably be fine.
I have to admit that I still do check the gap on each new plug, old habits die hard but I can't say I have found more than 1 or 2 that needed adjusting in hundreds new ones that I have installed.
Also, they do have these terrific evacuation pumps now the suck up the used oil through the dip stick hole, no mess, no lying on a cold concrete floor.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
- Chris_D
- Lifer
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- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
DIY spark plug change
No dipstick tube.grannyknot wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:38 pm
Also, they do have these terrific evacuation pumps now the suck up the used oil through the dip stick hole, no mess, no lying on a cold concrete floor.
Yeah. Rubbish.
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
- grannyknot
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- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm
DIY spark plug change
LOL still shaking my about that, let's keep the owner from ever going under the hood.Chris_D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:45 pmNo dipstick tube.grannyknot wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:38 pm
Also, they do have these terrific evacuation pumps now the suck up the used oil through the dip stick hole, no mess, no lying on a cold concrete floor.
Yeah. Rubbish.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
- B21
- Lifer
- Posts: 5438
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:15 pm
- Location: In my Banana Yellow Space Shuttle...somewhere over Southern Caledonia
DIY spark plug change
Pondweed…I forgot…on the N20 with pneumatic waste gate control the engine cover has two itsy bitsy connectors hidden from view, under the cover on the LHS as you look at the engine to do with boost management…they are push fit on barb connectors…easily broken off requiring a new cover (no boost if broken)…
Maybe on a 18i they aren’t there…
Also if they are there remember to reconnect otherwise the car is smooooothhhh but slowwww…
Don’t ask how I know…
Maybe on a 18i they aren’t there…
Also if they are there remember to reconnect otherwise the car is smooooothhhh but slowwww…
Don’t ask how I know…
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8490
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
DIY spark plug change
Cheers Pete!B21 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:49 pm Pondweed…I forgot…on the N20 with pneumatic waste gate control the engine cover has two itsy bitsy connectors hidden from view, under the cover on the LHS as you look at the engine to do with boost management…they are push fit on barb connectors…easily broken off requiring a new cover (no boost if broken)…
Maybe on a 18i they aren’t there…
Also if they are there remember to reconnect otherwise the car is smooooothhhh but slowwww…
Don’t ask how I know…
I'm starting to have second thoughts already!
I found a set of imperial feeler gauges in my dear old Dad's toolbox.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!