Spark Plug Issues and Pictures

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 12:06 PM

I need some insight into this.
I replaced my plugs @ rought 55K with the stock Bosch plugs. Here's a picture of them.

After almost 30K or basic driving, I find them to be oxidized with many deposits on them.

Is this because:
a) I MUST drive like a madman
b) They lasted 30K

WOW...mine only last....
c) They lasted 30K

mine usually last twice that
d) wide throttle openings with low RPM - aka 5th gear @ 20-40MPH in traffic.
e) that's normal...changed every 30K is good.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 12:22 PM

side view.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 12:25 PM

here ya go

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 12:36 PM

And a couple other issues as well, seems that plug location #2 from the front appears to have a little - very little - oil seapage.

Here's a pic of #2 and an accompanying pic of #1 which is clean.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 12:37 PM

#2

**ToneCapone** · 08-04-2002, 12:58 PM

Whew 15 mins. later, gotta love dial-up connection!

As for the plugs, 30,000 seems very good if they are non-platinum plugs (not sure on the 96+ stock plugs). I just replaced mine last week with the now famous NGK BKR6EQUP plugs. My old Bosch 2-prongs were okay (only 8000 mi. on them) but I wanted to replace them to see if a could cure an idle problem. I had a slight oil leak too on my number 2 cyclinder, only a drop though.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 01:07 PM

clean spark opening

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 01:09 PM

sorry about it for those of you with Dial-ups

I have replaced my plugs with the NGK's and WOW what a difference. Smooth idle, smooth acceleration, etc.

I don't know if it's a placebo affect of new plugs or what, but last time I replaced the plugs I don't remember them being that good

**joe325i** · 08-04-2002, 01:09 PM

MY NUM 2 ALSO LEAKS OIL! except mines leaks a little more.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by joe325i
MY NUM 2 ALSO LEAKS OIL! except mines leaks a little more.

Is it a bad gasket?

:

**ToneCapone** · 08-04-2002, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by umnitza

I have replaced my plugs with the NGK's and WOW what a difference. Smooth idle, smooth acceleration, etc.

I don't know if it's a placebo affect of new plugs or what, but last time I replaced the plugs I don't remember them being that good

I didnt really notice a difference between the 95 Bosch 2 prongs and the NGKs, although I seem to be the only one.

The biggest difference in idle quality came in replacing my O2 sensor. No more sputtering or misfiring.

Just my experience, keeping in ming that I have a 3.0 not a 3.2 if that matters.

**joe325i** · 08-04-2002, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by umnitza
Is it a bad gasket? :

yussir i belive it is, its like 18 bucks from BMP but installing wont be fun

**Ali** · 08-04-2002, 03:20 PM

oil on your spark plugs would be your head gasket leaking (i blew my head gasket after I over revved) just go to www.bimmerparts.com and order a head gasket set which comes with everything you need (bimmerparts.com wanted only like $120 for the set while the stealer wanted $300

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 05:07 PM

My CPO should cover it

Cool!

**Hellrot** · 08-04-2002, 05:45 PM

Here's a Bosch that I pulled with no more than 54k on it. They were in the car when I bought it at 41k so I don't know if they're original. The new plug is an NGK. All six Bosch had the same wear.

**umnitza** · 08-04-2002, 06:21 PM

Notice on the BOSCH how the ceramic is cracking in two or more places...that's awful, I have now seen this three times (once on my wife's car which is only a two prong plug).

:...BTW - BOSCH I believe are also made in Japan

**Ali** · 08-04-2002, 06:47 PM

Most any BMW tech will tell you to use NGKs, hell they're alot cheaper than the rest of the spark plugs and they're supposedly better.

**Erik@EDGE** · 08-04-2002, 08:47 PM

Umnitza, The oil leakage is common and is a VALVE COVER GASKET, the kit is $19 from bimmerparts.com. I'll be replacing mine with my plugs later this week. Supposedly its about a 1.5 hour job. Pretty simple.

**Stockman** · 08-04-2002, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by 95 MPWR
Umnitza, The oil leakage is common and is a VALVE COVER GASKET, the kit is $19 from bimmerparts.com. I'll be replacing mine with my plugs later this week. Supposedly its about a 1.5 hour job. Pretty simple.

Thank you...

I was going to post that..

a HEAD GASKET is a major thing.. you will notice some coolant in your oil (or vice versa) and or blue smoke from the tailpipe...

**bimmer95** · 08-04-2002, 09:36 PM

Yup, valve cover gasket. Cheap and easy to replace. I changed the gasket and swapped plugs on a 325is in 90 minutes flat

**umnitza** · 08-05-2002, 12:24 AM

so when are you doing this 95 MPWR? Do you have impact tools? Maybe I'll order it from bimmerparts and a couple other things and "come over"

Not that I'm inviting myself or anything

**umnitza** · 08-05-2002, 12:25 AM

BTW - could someone please comment on the plugs that I have?
THey seem TOO oxidized for having only had about 30K on them

**BS05ZHP** · 08-05-2002, 12:10 PM

umnitza, no special tools needed. Just a regular socket set, etc.

The hardest part is getting the retaining clips off the fuel rail at each injector location. I've heard of some people who were able to get the valve cover off without removing the fuel rail, but not on my car.

took about 2 hours with the retaining clip problems.

YMMV

Oh yeah, my stock Bosch plugs looked as nasty as yours did @ 52K.

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