When your BMW needs repairs, the first thing you usually do is take it to the repair shop. After all, you want your car or SUV to perform at its best. But what should you do when your BMW needs new spark plugs?
Changing spark plugs isn’t a difficult repair, so you can probably do it on your own. It only takes about an hour and you can do it in the comfort of your own driveway. You can save a lot of money changing spark plugs yourself, too.
Dealers and repair shops charge an hourly rate plus the cost of the materials. Spark plugs range from about $35-$200 for BMWs. Dealers and repair shops usually have a required minimum hourly rate of around $80-$100 per hour on top of that cost.
Here, we’re discussing how to change your own BMW spark plugs. Keep reading to learn more.
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Purchasing Your New BMW Spark Plugs
The first thing you need to do is obtain the new spark plugs. You can find the correct BMW spark plugs at any auto repair store. If you’re unsure of what type of spark plugs your BMW requires, ask the attendants on staff to help you.
You’ll also need to purchase anti-seize compound. This is used to prevent corrosion and seizing due to chemicals or weathering. It also makes for easier disassembly when it comes time to replace your spark plugs again.
Once you have everything you need from the parts store, you can start getting your tools ready.
Get Your Tools Ready
You won’t need much to replace your spark plugs. Just a little patience and the following:
- Black Electrical Tape
- Phillip’s Head Screwdriver
- Leather Work Gloves
- Six New Spark Plugs
- Anti-seize Compound
- Socket Wrench
- Socket Extension
- 10 mm Socket
- Spark Plug Socket
When you have all the right tools, changing your BMW spark plugs will be pretty easy.
Open Up the Hood
Once you have all your tools ready you can open the hood and remove the cabin microfilter. You’ll need to remove the four screws and pull it from the bottom and right of your car. Put it in a safe place where you won’t lose anything.
Remove the oil cap and hold onto it for a few minutes. There will be two 10mm screws that hold down the left engine cover. You’ll need to remove this cover and set it to the side before replacing the oil cap.
Now you’re ready to remove the coils on top of the spark plugs.
Wiring Covers
There will be six coils on top of the spark plugs. On top of each coil is a wiring cover. If you pull off the first wiring cover, you can pull that coil right out.
You can either remove all of the coils at once, each requiring this step of pulling off the wiring cover. Or, you can remove each one individually as you’re ready to replace each spark plug.
Remove Old Spark Plugs
Now that you’ve removed the wiring covers, you can start removing your spark plugs.
When you’re ready to replace a spark plug, use your spark plug socket on the end of the extension. If you use black electrical tape around the spark socket and extension, it will make it easier to pull out and remove.
Now you can put the spark plug socket by putting the spark plug socket in the hold where your spark plug is held. Once you connect to the spark plug, carefully turn it counterclockwise until it is released.
Carefully pull the spark plug out of the engine socket and set it aside. It’s probably a good idea to keep the old spark plugs away from the new spark plugs so you don’t mix them up later.
Replace New Spark Plugs
Before you can replace the spark plug, you’ll need to smother the threads in an anti-seize compound. You don’t have to do any setting because BMW spark plugs are already set and ready to go.
After you cover the threads in anti-seize compound, it’s time to replace your spark plugs. Simply turn the spark plug in its socket clockwise using your socket wrench. Keep tightening until it fits snug but be careful not to over-tighten it.
Next, replace the coil the same way you took it out and put the wire cover back on.
You can use these steps for each spark plug.
Now you’re done. Make sure to replace all the screws you took out of your car and when you start it up, it should run like new.
Ask a Mechanic
If you run into any issues while changing your BMW spark plugs, you can always live-chat with a professional mechanic online or ask questions at your auto parts store. Most part stores are staffed with knowledgeable, trustworthy people that are familiar with cars and working on them, too.
If you have trouble with these methods for assistance, you can also try calling your dealer’s service department for tips and advice.
Changing Your BMW Spark Plugs
Changing your BMW Spark Plugs shouldn’t be overwhelming and expensive. It’s simple maintenance that can be performed easily using these tips.
Keep your BMW running smoothly and efficiently for years to come with new spark plugs. Make sure to keep your receipt in case anything goes wrong and dispose of your old spark plugs properly. You can recycle them as scrap at a local auto scrap yard but you should not throw them in the trash.
If you’re looking for more information on BMW repairs, check out our online manual.
You can do more on your own than you think you can.
