Z4 M54 SparkPlug Removal/Installation with Pics

Shipkiller - Thanks for the post!

Excellent DIY! I even think now that I could do this - with a friend who is a mechanic near by!

Where does the "injector" fit into the area of the plugs that you replaced?

Here's why!

About four months ago I took my Z4 in for "Service Engine" light and running rough. They replaced the #5 injector. Then it was running rough and they replaced an "02" sensor. Last month I took it in for a 7,500 mile (half way between the free 15,000 oil change, and as I drove away it was running rough. I drove right back and it was the #1 injector. BMW warranties do not cover repairs due to bad gas. My service writer was careful not even mention gas! But he said that I don't necessarily need to replace the other injectors.

Do the injectors have anything to do with the plugs? Can I put in a new set of injectors when I change the plugs? Kind of makes sense to.?

Very Dangerous talk coming for me!!!

:oldman: I'm not a mechanic but adventurous!
Best!
Jack
 
The fuel injectors on the on opposite side of the engine from the spark plugs (on the left side).

If you take off the small cover, you will see a long square rail, about a 1/4" square with two black cylindrical electrical connectors attached, that runs the length of the engine. That is your fuel rail. Under that are the injectors.

I have not pulled the injectors on the car. It does not look too awful hard.

I was typing up a mini-howto but after looking at the procedures, don't that this the wrong way, but I may be too much for you to do.. :whistle: :friends:

If you PM me your email address, I will send you the BMW procedures (PDF format) for the job and you can judge for yourself.

If you decide to do this make sure you replace all 0-rings that were disturbed.. and get a couple of extras, just in case you damage one..
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT33&mospid=47798&btnr=13_0900&hg=13&fg=15

Items 4 and 5

One other thing you can do before all this.

Get a can of SeaFoam and put it in your gas tank and drive. This will clean your injectors while driving.

You can also do this: pour a 1/2 of a can of SeaFoam SLOWLY through your intake system, engine running, usually through the brake booster vacuum line and that will clean most of the gunk that accumulates in the intake. SLOWLY is the word or the engine will die on you and you will have to start it up again and some of the effectiveness will be diluted.
I pour a whole can through a vacuum line, then turn off the car for 30 minutes, then start it up. A pure white smoke will POUR out of the exhaust as the crap in your intake is flushed and burnt off....Scared the crap out of me the first time I did it. That was about five year ago... :rofl:

When I did it to the Zed the first time, the engine sputtered and misfired and threw a CEL code but once all of the crap had burnt off and the engine was running good again, I stopped the engine, then restarted the car and everything was fine. The error codes had cleared.. of course when I did it the first time, the car had 50k miles on it...
Now when I do it, I just get some white smoke...

I do this every 5000 miles on all my vehicles..
 
Just a cautionary tale for anyone putting anything other than the original spark plus in their cars - although this is probably not valid for our Zeds as it was something we found out on the e34 M5s.

We heard of lots of people going for different plugs to the standard Bosch Y6DC (splitfire, colder, hotter, Denso Iridium, triplespark, quadspark, etc.) and in all but the rarest cases we found they'd all run worse on anything other than Bosch Y6DC plugs - and in some cases they'd end up with a hole in a piston due to having too long a plug, even though the plug was listed as a direct replacement for the Bosch Y6DC.

Usually it was just a gap problem as the Y6DC has a specific gap for our M5s, and sometimes it was just that the plug was slightly too hot or cold for it - again even though the plug was listed as a direct replacement.

So please, please, please, ensure the plugs you are using (whether they're BMW or aftermarket) are REALLY compatible before you risk screwing up your engine for the sake of a few £/$/¥/€.

Note: I'm not saying that any of the plugs mentioned here are wrong or no good for the Zed as I've got no experience of them yet, but I don't want to be saying "I told you so" in a year's time when your engine warranty is invalidated and you've got a hole in the side of the block, or top of the piston.
 
A hole in the piston sounds like the outcome of detonation (pinking). Running a grade too warm on the plugs or a fuel of insufficient octane rating (98RON + idealy) is likely to cause this, as would too much ignition advance or a poorly tested remap.

The engine knock sensor should adjust the ignition timing to compensate for poor fuels/det but at the expense of engine response and torque.

When I change my plugs next I will take some pictures and see how the iridiums have faired :) Would be interested to hear the views of other people who are running non standard plugs.
 
I forgot to add that the e34 M5 doesn't have a knock sensor, so that's probably why it was so sensitive to good fuel and the right plugs :headbang:
 
Thanks for the great writeup Shipkiller. I'd add to this thread about how to "read" your spark plug -- I actually hate reading so I found a site with only pictures.

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html
cheers
 
Sorry... i've a question... I'd like to change my plugs with those one:
NGK BKR6EQUP Platinum Plugs

Here's the Ebay Link
http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250397088050#ebayphotohosting

any suggestions pls?
 
hi all! i bought from ebay 6 plugs ngk bkr6equp for my z4 3.0i. i followed all instructions from thi thread but when i try to remove the old plug it's very very hard!!! :headbang:
 
Garthan said:
hi all! i bought from ebay 6 plugs ngk bkr6equp for my z4 3.0i. i followed all instructions from thi thread but when i try to remove the old plug it's very very hard!!! :headbang:
Click to expand...

I'd recommend taking it to a local garage and getting them to remove them - that way, if they break the plug, or damage the head, it's their fault - not yours ;)

Failing that, penetrating oil and slow, methodical turning back and forth for a good period of time might loosen it up.
Don't try putting a lot of pressure on the plug tho - you'll end up with a large bill
 
Thanks for the post and pics. Feel a lot more confident now there is a process to follow. I have a 2005 2.2 litre straight 6 (172ps) version. Not sure if ths ever was sold in the USA. I live in Germany.
Am also going to change the two rear springs but that looks straightforward.
Beautiful car the Z4, i am surprised BMW ever built it. You see, it is not idiot proof like many other sport cars, you have to be a driver to appreciate this car. Thanks BMW.
 
Thanks ShipKiller for the excellent write up!

One of my ignition coil packs has failed. Your write up and pics has saved me lots both in time at a garage and cost. Brilliant ! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks again Shipkiller for another very useful guide! This is the second time I have used one of your guides - the first was to replace my roof hydraulic pump.
 
Hi Shipkiller, don't know if you still monitor these threads, but I got a question.
I have an '03 3.0i M54 USA model. Reading through this thread (seems like a great guide, can't wait to try it out!) I've gathered the impression that the NGK Iridiums should be fine to use. Specifically these: 'NGK (5464) BKR5EIX-11 Iridium IX Spark Plug'. However, every parts store that has these says they're NOT compatible with my engine. True or false? If true, which ones should I be looking for? Would the 'NGK (3199) BKR6EQUP Multi-Ground Spark Plug' do perhaps?

Appreciate any answer you can give me. Cheers!
 
ryushe said:
I have an '03 3.0i M54 USA model.
Click to expand...

Based on the compatability list, it should be the BKR6EIX 6418. I've looked at other lists and they all come out with the same type.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/NGK4/6418/03435.oap?year=2004&make=BMW&model=X5&vi=1427510&ck=Search_03435_NGK_1427510_-1&mn=NGK&mc=NGK&pt=03435&ppt=C0334
 
powerontap said:
Based on the compatability list, it should be the BKR6EIX 6418. I've looked at other lists and they all come out with the same type.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/NGK4/6418/03435.oap?year=2004&make=BMW&model=X5&vi=1427510&ck=Search_03435_NGK_1427510_-1&mn=NGK&mc=NGK&pt=03435&ppt=C0334
Click to expand...

Thanks, didn't find that one earlier. Much appreciated!
 
What sort of plugs should I use in my 2007 Z4si coupe? The dealer wants 26USD for each and I believe I could get the functional equivalent for much less at an auto parts store. A source told me NGK LFR6AIX-11 is good. Anyone? :|
 
Im looking to do this on my Zed in the coming weeks. Does anyone have this post archived? The pictures are no longer available...

Cheers

Cmaza
 
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