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Subject: Spark Plug Change -- A Pictorial. Author: jayadam63 as Jay in Florida : member since January, 2004 : 205 posts Posted on: 2004-02-21 19:22:44

Ok -- here's my first CONSTRUCTIVE post on this board. I hope it encourages those who are a little worried about doing this to give it a shot.

It's easy.

First, remove the main shroud and then using a screw driver the two flat square covers that will reveal the bolts that hold the plastic head covers:



Unscrew the two bolts and then remove the plastic cover. You will see this:



Next, remove the two bolts that hold in the coil that sits over the spark plug (geez, this really is this easy):



Unplug the coil by moving the metal clip that holds the plug in up all the way and then pulling out the plug. Here is a picture of the removed coil:



And a picture of all the removed coils from one side and the cover:



Here is a picture of the head with the coils removed. Note the pooling of oil especially to the right at the plug closest to the firewall. Must have some head gasket failure action going on here:



Here is a look at the coil from the spark plug side -- just a spring that pushes on the plug -- just slides over it easy as pie. NO connecting -- Geez this is too easy:



Picture of the head with 1 spark plug removed:



Picture of the removed plug. Not to bad -- some white sut. Note the oil in the threads -- this happened when I removed the plug and the pooled oil hit the threads:



These are the plugs I went with -- Bosch Platnum +4, part #4417. I got them from Autozone. They have something like a 3 Trillion mile warranty or something. They were $5.99 per -- came to $48.00 for the set. I ain't nevah spent much more than $1.29 for a plug so this was something new for me:



Some looks at the plug:





Put the new plugs in (with proper anti-seize on the threads) and then slide the coil down over the plug, plug in the plug to the coil and then bolt down the coil. Plug #1 done:



Do all 8 and you are done! Boo yaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.

Now -- Funny shot. What's wrong with this picture:



Could it be the cigarette ash laying INSIDE the head on the rim there? Somebody (before she was mine) was doing "service" at probably over $100 per hour and decided to make a deposit.

Hey guys -- this is a major DIY for anyone who was hesitant. Hope this helps.



    

• Spark Plug Change -- A Pictorial. (pic) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 19:22:44 (36480 views)
  • I've searched this and found that the prongs - 4sho 2004-02-22 21:10:00 (2698 views)
    • I've not heard of the prongs breaking off, but several (m) - DavidC 2004-02-23 00:41:24 (2235 views)
      • Thanks David C -- - Jay in Florida 2004-02-23 09:53:30 (1569 views)
    • Interesting!!! Can you cite your research? I'd like to read.... - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 22:30:30 (1409 views)
  • Great detail... (pic) - Claudio 2004-02-22 15:43:28 (3160 views)
    • Re: Great detail... - Claudio 2004-02-22 17:46:09 (1528 views)
      • Here you go again. - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 18:12:20 (2039 views)
    • I have no idea what your point is. - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 16:05:48 (1410 views)
      • Re: I have no idea what your point is. - Claudio 2004-02-22 17:47:14 (1291 views)
        • See The Reply Above. (nt) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 18:12:52 (1076 views)
  • Great documentaion but PLEASE READ... - Gary 2004-02-22 15:15:21 (2866 views)
    • Re: Great documentaion but PLEASE READ... - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 16:01:16 (1957 views)
  • Good timing! Great post! - FlyingHigh 2004-02-22 11:39:21 (1445 views)
  • I agree, an excellent post! - M.Wong 2004-02-22 06:04:39 (1316 views)
    • BMW DIY -- - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 09:06:45 (2028 views)
  • This is a geat post. Next time I do a DIY I will post pics also. (nt) - jneer750 2004-02-22 02:09:54 (1009 views)
    • You should Jeremy -- I got the courage.... (url) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 02:13:11 (1147 views)
  • Awesome post. It does look easy.... - islandbeef 2004-02-22 01:03:14 (841 views)
    • Re: Awesome post. It does look easy.... - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 01:24:21 (800 views)
  • great post. thank you. (nt) - PhillySean 2004-02-22 00:45:33 (862 views)
  • Great Job! I thought Bosch platinum was not recommended for our cars? (nt) - silber98 2004-02-21 20:19:30 (2021 views)
    • Bav Auto Configurator.... (url) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-22 02:15:32 (1722 views)
    • had them on my car for a while now and no problems (nt) - bmw740 2004-02-22 00:28:00 (1353 views)
    • Then again.... (url) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 23:37:24 (1015 views)
    • Now if you look here.... (url) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 20:48:04 (1172 views)
      • Re: Now if you look here.... (url) - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 20:50:06 (1256 views)
    • Autozone Configurator Results - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 20:30:39 (1579 views)
      • How does the car run with these spark plugs? (nt) - LastAndBestE38 2004-02-21 20:33:07 (1584 views)
        • Put on 20 miles tonight -- - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 23:28:39 (1194 views)
        • I'll report back tonight or tomorrow (m) -- - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 20:42:30 (1041 views)
    • They're Not??? OOOPS! - Jay in Florida 2004-02-21 20:21:12 (1523 views)
  • Jay, thank you! Great photo/description, I'll never pay - wayne 2004-02-21 20:17:36 (1381 views)