530i spark plug replacement

[bizN]

Hey everyone - I was tryin to search the forums for this but had no luck finding it. I tried spark plugs, 530i spark plugs, etc.. but couldn't find it. When it comes to replacing things on my bimmer im sorta car illiterate but know how to do some things. Im trying to figure out where my spark plugs are in my E39 (it's an 03). I wanted to replace them myself because i know if i take my car back to the dealer itll be way over priced and not worth it (considering i really think they were "tinkering" with my car because everytime i take it there and get it back something else breaks)

When i first got my car, my rotors dug into my calipers and i had to replace that, shortly-there-after (about a month later) i had to get an oil leak fixed. Completely understandable (the car had 78,000 miles on it so routine maintenance). Heres where my problems started... After I got the oil leak fixed, my thermostat went, then my alternator right after that (within 3 week period) then as soon as they replaced my alternator i take my car home and my radiator suddenly has a "crack" in it and is spewing out antifreeze all over the underside of my hood. i take it back and they fix that, then my battery mysteriously dies. I buy a battery and replace it myself. I noticed i have oil leaks again about a month later, take it in, they replace the oil gasket housing and my FSU resistor dies too (i replaced that myself seeing how easy it was). Now a week later, my car is still leaking oil, I take it back to them and the it was my power steering hoses that go the tranny cooler. They replace those and when i go to pick my car up, the check engine light is on (wasn't before i brought it in) and they said, "We reset the light, apparently pistons 1, 3 and 5 are misfiring, if you have a problem call us back. I call them back the next day and leave a message, no return phone call. I wait a week and call them back, still no call. A month later i call back and get a hold of the maintenance manager that "takes care of me" and he said, "Oh sorry, i must have deleted the messages and forgot to call you back" there taking my car in the 26th and i really believe it's my spark plugs. The rotors were about 3 months apart from everything, so technically i had a down time of 6 months before all the other stuff happened and since then it all has happened within 6 months and the car only has 102,000 miles on it. Something sound fishy? I think so...

Thanks ahead of time though, I appreciate any input

-Gary

[prophet540i]

Here you go it took about 10 seconds on google..


http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/t...sparkplugs.htm


it sounds like youre having alot of issues with this car.. they are very temperamental.. . you have to use exactly what is recommended.. Did you take the car to some kind of BMW specialist before you bought it?

[bizN]

Sadly I bought my car from an auto auction dealer (have a friend who buys/sells em) so i paid him. Yah Ive had a helluva lot happen with the car and it just seems like the dealership was doing something shady =\. Sorry I tried looking it up on google but i had no idea what to put in. I tried BMW 530I spark plug replacement and similiar variants of that. The problem is when I took my car to be inspected after, they said it was fine (they didn't find the rotor issue until 3 months later of my tire sounding like it was flat). Thank you though, I really appreciate not getting flamed. i was really hesitant to ask =x

EDIT: I bought the car when it was 73,000 miles on it (only had it a year and a half) so ive just had bad luck =(

[goleta schooner]

Hi bizN - you sound like a very sincere guy who might have purchased a thrashed beemer. 102K miles is way too soon to run in to these issues all at once. Radiator yes, some oil leaks maybe, and battery for sure. But the rest?

It also sounds like you do not have a lot of experience working on these cars. They are diabolically complicated for sure. They are also robust and well made.

Without a lot of mechanical skills I would recommend you find a really good NON DEALER BMW mechanic and get a survey done of the car. It will cost you $150-300. Also get his opinion on what BMW service bulletins might impact your issues. The best way to find this individual is to network locally among other enthusiasts. Go to different shops, attend some club functions, and strike up conversations with other owners. Most will be happy to talk about their cars.

An experienced independent will know the ins and outs, and his work if using BMW parts will be factory backed and way less expensive than the dealer. The repair dept. at the dealer has very strict protocols to follow that will often be at odds to the owner of a vehicle out of warranty. Also when you piss them off they become less than helpful. You might have done this .

When you get the survey he will tell you the priorities of work needed, and may also be able to help you do some of the work. His survey will include a compression test on 1,3 & 5.

Good luck man. I've got 118K on my 540 and it still thrills me everyday.

[bimmerfiver]

Hey everyone - I was tryin to search the forums for this but had no luck finding it. I tried spark plugs, 530i spark plugs, etc.. but couldn't find it. When it comes to replacing things on my bimmer im sorta car illiterate but know how to do some things. Im trying to figure out where my spark plugs are in my E39 (it's an 03).

-Gary

I would suggest that you not consider this DIY. If you cannot locate spark plugs, you can do some serious damage installing new ones. They're what, $5.00 to $8.00 each and any good Indy Shop can change them in 30 minutes...

How old are the coils above them? If unknown and they look aged, replacement them too (get them with spark plug boots).

[jamesdc4]

Hey everyone - I was tryin to search the forums for this but had no luck finding it. I tried spark plugs, 530i spark plugs, etc.. but couldn't find it. When it comes to replacing things on my bimmer im sorta car illiterate but know how to do some things. Im trying to figure out where my spark plugs are in my E39 (it's an 03). I wanted to replace them myself because i know if i take my car back to the dealer itll be way over priced and not worth it (considering i really think they were "tinkering" with my car because everytime i take it there and get it back something else breaks)

When i first got my car, my rotors dug into my calipers and i had to replace that, shortly-there-after (about a month later) i had to get an oil leak fixed. Completely understandable (the car had 78,000 miles on it so routine maintenance). Heres where my problems started... After I got the oil leak fixed, my thermostat went, then my alternator right after that (within 3 week period) then as soon as they replaced my alternator i take my car home and my radiator suddenly has a "crack" in it and is spewing out antifreeze all over the underside of my hood. i take it back and they fix that, then my battery mysteriously dies. I buy a battery and replace it myself. I noticed i have oil leaks again about a month later, take it in, they replace the oil gasket housing and my FSU resistor dies too (i replaced that myself seeing how easy it was). Now a week later, my car is still leaking oil, I take it back to them and the it was my power steering hoses that go the tranny cooler. They replace those and when i go to pick my car up, the check engine light is on (wasn't before i brought it in) and they said, "We reset the light, apparently pistons 1, 3 and 5 are misfiring, if you have a problem call us back. I call them back the next day and leave a message, no return phone call. I wait a week and call them back, still no call. A month later i call back and get a hold of the maintenance manager that "takes care of me" and he said, "Oh sorry, i must have deleted the messages and forgot to call you back" there taking my car in the 26th and i really believe it's my spark plugs. The rotors were about 3 months apart from everything, so technically i had a down time of 6 months before all the other stuff happened and since then it all has happened within 6 months and the car only has 102,000 miles on it. Something sound fishy? I think so...

Thanks ahead of time though, I appreciate any input

-Gary

Gary,
Welcome to the forums.

The link that prophet540i pasted into his post below and many other links that you might find helpful are all compiled into "DIY quick link" list in this parked thread...

E39 DIY Quick Links

...at the top of the E39 DIY sub-forum.

Here you go it took about 10 seconds on google..


http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/t...sparkplugs.htm


it sounds like youre having alot of issues with this car.. they are very temperamental.. . you have to use exactly what is recommended.. Did you take the car to some kind of BMW specialist before you bought it?