Changed spark plugs in e39 M5

[pizzaman09]

It was a balmy 45 degrees today so I changing the spark plugs in my e39 M5. The plugs were factory original with 76,000 miles on them. I was surprised to that the original plugs where NGK and not Bosch. I replaced them with same part number NGK plugs at $8.99 a piece from Advanced Auto.

I will tell you what, the new plugs really smoothed things out. The engine starts easier, idles much smoother, and in general makes less noise. I don't know if less noise is a good thing.:rolleyes

I did find a nice combination of extensions and a U joint that make taking the plugs out easy. They are a 5/8in spark plug socket to a 3in extension to a U-Joint to a 2ft extension to the ratchet wrench, all are 3/8 inch drive.

No busting knuckles on parts of the engine with a 2ft extension. :)
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2eogz0x.jpg

http://oi57.tinypic.com/28tew5e.jpg

Everything re-installed with new plugs ready to fire up.
http://oi58.tinypic.com/1zpu0zl.jpgView Raw Image (http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zpu0zl&s=8#.UwkVaLQg54I)" width="1024" height="768">

Original Plugs with 76k miles as viewed from front of engine looking towards back of car
4 8
3 7
2 6
1 5
http://oi58.tinypic.com/1zdoe41.jpg (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/"http://oi58.tinypic.com/1zdoe41.jpg")

[edjack]

NGK BKR6EQUP (aka 3199) plugs have been specified since 2001 for all engines. For the M5, the replacement interval is 60k.

[Spirit Force]

Basic maintenance does do wonders.. The spark plug change was 16k overdue.

[pizzaman09]

Basic maintenance does do wonders.. The spark plug change was 16k overdue. I found out they were over due last week. I bought the car with 68k miles on it last August and last week I went to the dealer to have the service records printed off on the car. Spark plugs were not on the list so I decided it would be a good job to tackle myself. Considering the weather was 20 degrees higher then it has been for the past few months I decided today was the day to do it.

[Flounderasu]

S62 - possibly slightly different hose layout....IDK?

I didn't remove the cabin box on the driver side or use anything other than my 6" ext and spark plug socket (has an insert to hold the plug).

I removed from front to back, and re-installed back to front. You can carefully angle the spark plug into the well...obv NOT angled into the threads. Once it's in the well, you can straighten out and install via hand (which I always do anyway to avoid cross-threading). Then you'll have enough room to pop the ratchet on and tighten down. If you used a torque wrench like I did, and have to go from 1/2 to 3/8" adapters, you may run into a slight clearance problem...

[pizzaman09]

The hoses on the drivers side where a pain in the rear for the plug in the back. It was very difficult to get the coil pack off.

I started with a 6" extension but soon found out that it was bent and decided to switch the setup.

I also threaded the plugs in all the way by hand before wrenching to avoid cross threading. However I don't own a torque wrench so I just torqued them down until I felt comfortable.

[Spirit Force]

I found out they were over due last week. I bought the car with 68k miles on it last August and last week I went to the dealer to have the service records printed off on the car. Spark plugs were not on the list so I decided it would be a good job to tackle myself. Considering the weather was 20 degrees higher then it has been for the past few months I decided today was the day to do it.

Since the vehicle is new to you I would also replace the air filters, cabin filters, diff fluid, trans fluid, ps fluid and if there is no record coolant & brake fluid. Those are cheap & easy to do.

[Mannyf540]

The hoses on the drivers side where a pain in the rear for the plug in the back. It was very difficult to get the coil pack off. I started with a 6" extension but soon found out that it was bent and decided to switch the setup. I also threaded the plugs in all the way by hand before wrenching to avoid cross threading. However I don't own a torque wrench so I just torqued them down until I felt comfortable.

On that note be sure your car is cool so your threads are hardened .... If it's hot you may strip your spark plug threads.

[Flounderasu]

Yeah looking at your pic, the coil packs orientation are slightly differently and I also only had to deal with 1 hose/pipe obstruction whereas you have to deal with what looks like 2. Could see how removing the cabin filter box would help. I also have ridiculously small hands...BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS NORMAL SIZED!


The hoses on the drivers side where a pain in the rear for the plug in the back. It was very difficult to get the coil pack off.

I started with a 6" extension but soon found out that it was bent and decided to switch the setup.

I also threaded the plugs in all the way by hand before wrenching to avoid cross threading. However I don't own a torque wrench so I just torqued them down until I felt comfortable.

[Mannyf540]

Yeah looking at your pic, the coil packs orientation are slightly differently and I also only had to deal with 1 hose/pipe obstruction whereas you have to deal with what looks like 2. Could see how removing the cabin filter box would help. I also have ridiculously small hands...BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS NORMAL SIZED!

EVERYTHING !? A little over share !! Lol

[pizzaman09]

Since the vehicle is new to you I would also replace the air filters, cabin filters, diff fluid, trans fluid, ps fluid and if there is no record coolant & brake fluid. Those are cheap & easy to do.

Luckily the records do show new brakes and rotors all around about a year before I bought the car. The filters all looked new when I bought it. The brake fluid looks clean, it wasn't black like my other car that got its first fluid change after 14 years.
Brake fluid is not a job I would be willing to do, just pay a mechanic to do it.


On that note be sure your car is cool so your threads are hardened .... If it's hot you may strip your spark plug threads.
The engine was stone cold. I didn't take the M5 to the store to buy the plugs. Thanks for the warning though! :)

[Spirit Force]

Luckily the records do show new brakes and rotors all around about a year before I bought the car. The filters all looked new when I bought it. The brake fluid looks clean, it wasn't black like my other car that got its first fluid change after 14 years.
Brake fluid is not a job I would be willing to do, just pay a mechanic to do it.

I've changed the brake fluid on my e39 and it was quite easy. Put the car on jackstands and remove the wheels. Then suck out the old brake fluid in the reservoir and replace with new. Attach brake pressure bleeder to the reservoir. Start DIS and follow instructions to correctly flush the old fluid. Don't forget to flush the clutch. When done reset the brake fluid service interval. Many mechanics just suck the old brake fluid from the reservoir and replace it with new. They dont flush the ABS pump, brake lines or clutch. This should be done every 2 years. This is quite important on a performance car like m5. Water in the fluid will cause brake fluid to boil when your pushing the car.

If you take it to mechanic make sure he does it right.

[Mannyf540]

I've changed the brake fluid on my e39 and it was quite easy. Put the car on jackstands and remove the wheels. Then suck out the old brake fluid in the reservoir and replace with new. Attach brake pressure bleeder to the reservoir. Start DIS and follow instructions to correctly flush the old fluid. Don't forget to flush the clutch. When done reset the brake fluid service interval. Many mechanics just suck the old brake fluid from the reservoir and replace it with new. They dont flush the ABS pump, brake lines or clutch. This should be done every 2 years. This is quite important on a performance car like m5. Water in the fluid will cause brake fluid to boil when your pushing the car. If you take it to mechanic make sure he does it right.

+1..... Very important point !!!