Spark plugs after 18k miles

xsb00st · 07-12-2009, 11:12 AM

First of all, thanks to Mr. 5 for letting me borrow his Spark Plug socket!

My car was experiencing way too many sporadic hiccups at idle, and after some research most signs pointed to the spark plugs as the possible cause. I followed the DIY - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=spark+plugs - and the entire plug swap went fairly easy.

I took the car for a test drive after the swap and idle was definitely a lot smoother and the hiccup was gone!

It may be psychological, but at WOT the car seems to have even more power.

Here is a pic of the old plugs (cylinder 1 = left, 6 = right). I'm awful at analyizing plugs based off what they look like, but was hoping that some of you could help. How do they look?

lpphreakx06 · 07-12-2009, 11:13 AM

I def dont know about the plugs but nice depth of field in the picutre

200Duece · 07-12-2009, 12:09 PM

6 looks like it's running a little richer than the others but, it's probably just the photo. In general they look about perfect. The "white" pocelin(s/p) area under the elctrode arms will be very clean or new looking if the car is runinng lean/low fuel mixture. That same area will be a dark brown color if the car is running rich/high fuel mixture. And what you want the plugs to look like is what you have there. A light chocolately milk kinda color.

xsb00st · 07-12-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

6 looks like it's running a little richer than the others but, it's probably just the photo. In general they look about perfect. The "white" pocelin(s/p) area under the elctrode arms will be very clean or new looking if the car is runinng lean/low fuel mixture. That same area will be a dark brown color if the car is running rich/high fuel mixture. And what you want the plugs to look like is what you have there. A light chocolately milk kinda color.

Nice, so things look like they're running okay. Thanks for your input.

5soko · 07-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

6 looks like it's running a little richer than the others but, it's probably just the photo. In general they look about perfect. The "white" pocelin(s/p) area under the elctrode arms will be very clean or new looking if the car is runinng lean/low fuel mixture. That same area will be a dark brown color if the car is running rich/high fuel mixture. And what you want the plugs to look like is what you have there. A light chocolately milk kinda color.

So are you saying these plugs werent ready to be changed? or in good condition? just curious since im at 15k miles tuned on my current plugs.

nonford · 07-12-2009, 03:43 PM

Those plugs look really good and clean. I changed mine a 29k and just wasted money, but compensated it for the training lesson on how to get to them....Mine looked like yours too. I think the book says to change them at 45K for the N54. Well worth the wait.

uhcoug2011 · 07-12-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonford

Those plugs look really good and clean. I changed mine a 29k and just wasted money, but compensated it for the training lesson on how to get to them....Mine looked like yours too. I think the book says to change them at 45K for the N54. Well worth the wait.

IMHO, with the many problems you hear about misfires on the n54 cars I think the $60 - $80 bucks that it will cost to change the spark plugs is absolutely worth it every 20-25k miles or so.

hun77777 · 07-12-2009, 04:38 PM

they look just fine compared to what mine looked...

xsb00st · 07-12-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhcoug2011

IMHO, with the many problems you hear about misfires on the n54 cars I think the $60 - $80 bucks that it will cost to change the spark plugs is absolutely worth it every 20-25k miles or so.

+1 premature or not, the car is running smoother and the hiccups are gone. $70 well spent IMHO.

200Duece · 07-12-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

So are you saying these plugs werent ready to be changed? or in good condition? just curious since im at 15k miles tuned on my current plugs.

Probably not needed but plugs and cars can be finnicky(s/p). sometimes a plug change can make a difference even when they look to be in good condition.

I change the plugs before every event I do just to make sure that my carbs are sync'd up correctly and I'm not running too fat. And even when I change my "good condition" plugs I can notice a difference in throttle response

MFKN3 · 07-12-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

Probably not needed but plugs and cars can be finnicky(s/p). sometimes a plug change can make a difference even when they look to be in good condition.

I change the plugs before every event I do just to make sure that my carbs are sync'd up correctly and I'm not running too fat. And even when I change my "good condition" plugs I can notice a difference in throttle response

+1

The evidence can also be seen in the dyno numbers

5soko · 07-13-2009, 12:23 AM

What do the plugs have to be torqued down to? or did you just go by feel? Seems like a simple, simple, operation i might just do.

MFKN3 · 07-13-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

What do the plugs have to be torqued down to? or did you just go by feel? Seems like a simple, simple, operation i might just do.

Don't take my word for it but I am almost sure it's 23Nm. There's a DIY for it which lays it out for you. Apart from needing a calibrated torque wrench, etc it's an easy task

xsb00st · 07-13-2009, 12:37 AM

17lb is what I used...

BoostedCosta · 07-13-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsboost

Don't take my word for it but I am almost sure it's 23Nm. There's a DIY for it which lays it out for you. Apart from needing a calibrated torque wrench, etc it's an easy task

yea your right
it even said it on the spark plug box when i bought mine

Bubbles · 07-13-2009, 06:04 AM

I helped a member change out his plugs @45k (I think). Plug 3 and Plug 4 were coated in oil. Your plugs look good.

AWD Addict · 07-13-2009, 08:50 AM

Those plugs look pretty good. I'm surprised you noticed a difference. Maybe the gapping was a bit off?

Do we have platinum or iridium?

Lowcruzr · 07-13-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

6 looks like it's running a little richer than the others but, it's probably just the photo. In general they look about perfect. The "white" pocelin(s/p) area under the elctrode arms will be very clean or new looking if the car is runinng lean/low fuel mixture. That same area will be a dark brown color if the car is running rich/high fuel mixture. And what you want the plugs to look like is what you have there. A light chocolately milk kinda color.

I concur; the plugs look great.

Mr. 5 · 07-13-2009, 09:10 AM

I think the plugs look good.

maui86 · 07-13-2009, 02:35 PM

sorry if this is a dumb question to most of you, but i never had a car with 3 "arms" coming down... how would you gap these plugs or are they already pre-gapped?

thank you!

200Duece · 07-13-2009, 03:20 PM

pre gap , yes and adjust with square ended shims

xsb00st · 07-13-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maui86

sorry if this is a dumb question to most of you, but i never had a car with 3 "arms" coming down... how would you gap these plugs or are they already pre-gapped?

thank you!

The plugs come pre-gapped from Bosch.

07-12-2009, 11:12 AM	#1
xsb00st Lieutenant Colonel 185 Rep 1,640 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (21)	Spark plugs after 18k miles - How do they look? First of all, thanks to Mr. 5 for letting me borrow his Spark Plug socket! My car was experiencing way too many sporadic hiccups at idle, and after some research most signs pointed to the spark plugs as the possible cause. I followed the DIY - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=spark+plugs - and the entire plug swap went fairly easy. I took the car for a test drive after the swap and idle was definitely a lot smoother and the hiccup was gone! It may be psychological, but at WOT the car seems to have even more power. Here is a pic of the old plugs (cylinder 1 = left, 6 = right). I'm awful at analyizing plugs based off what they look like, but was hoping that some of you could help. How do they look? Attached Images
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07-12-2009, 11:13 AM	#2
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	I def dont know about the plugs but nice depth of field in the picutre __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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07-12-2009, 12:09 PM	#3
200Duece Colonel 45 Rep 2,575 Posts Drives: '73 2002,'18 X5 35d,'17 328d T Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A Whale's Vagina, Ca iTrader: (5)	6 looks like it's running a little richer than the others but, it's probably just the photo. In general they look about perfect. The "white" pocelin(s/p) area under the elctrode arms will be very clean or new looking if the car is runinng lean/low fuel mixture. That same area will be a dark brown color if the car is running rich/high fuel mixture. And what you want the plugs to look like is what you have there. A light chocolately milk kinda color. __________________ 1988 E28 535is Euro Conversion --- sold 2009 E90 335 6MT --- sold 2003 E39 540iT Msport --- sold
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07-12-2009, 03:43 PM	#6
nonford Private First Class 8 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2011 335d, 2019 X3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Mexico iTrader: (4)	Those plugs look really good and clean. I changed mine a 29k and just wasted money, but compensated it for the training lesson on how to get to them....Mine looked like yours too. I think the book says to change them at 45K for the N54. Well worth the wait.
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07-12-2009, 04:38 PM	#8
hun77777 Brigadier General 198 Rep 4,647 Posts Drives: SG E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (58)	they look just fine compared to what mine looked... __________________ SGE92TT......................... 12.331 Sec @ 117.89 Mph............................POWERED BY l BMS DCI l HELIX IC l FORGE DVs l RR OCC & CP & SCOOPS l AR 3" DPs l AE QUADs l BLISTEIN PSS10 l P3 VENT GUAGE l VISHNU PROCEDE V5 AUTOTUNE l Lots of Window Stickers
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07-13-2009, 12:23 AM	#12
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	What do the plugs have to be torqued down to? or did you just go by feel? Seems like a simple, simple, operation i might just do.
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07-13-2009, 12:37 AM	#14
xsb00st Lieutenant Colonel 185 Rep 1,640 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (21)	17lb is what I used...
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07-13-2009, 06:04 AM	#16
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	I helped a member change out his plugs @45k (I think). Plug 3 and Plug 4 were coated in oil. Your plugs look good. __________________
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07-13-2009, 08:50 AM	#17
AWD Addict Chief Executive 300 Rep 2,886 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	Those plugs look pretty good. I'm surprised you noticed a difference. Maybe the gapping was a bit off? Do we have platinum or iridium?
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07-13-2009, 09:10 AM	#19
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 753 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	I think the plugs look good. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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07-13-2009, 02:35 PM	#20
maui86 Captain 37 Rep 738 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: paradise iTrader: (1)	sorry if this is a dumb question to most of you, but i never had a car with 3 "arms" coming down... how would you gap these plugs or are they already pre-gapped? thank you! __________________ http://videos.streetfire.net/video/s...rays_37268.htm gotta do what i gotta do to get them donuts 04 spec-v: rip dec07
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07-13-2009, 03:20 PM	#21
200Duece Colonel 45 Rep 2,575 Posts Drives: '73 2002,'18 X5 35d,'17 328d T Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A Whale's Vagina, Ca iTrader: (5)	pre gap , yes and adjust with square ended shims __________________ 1988 E28 535is Euro Conversion --- sold 2009 E90 335 6MT --- sold 2003 E39 540iT Msport --- sold
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