[gclions]

2011 550i, 54k miles. Rough idle occasionally. Misfires occasionally.

Easy job, I would say 3/10 on difficulty. It took me 45 min total.

#1 plug was wet, smelled like gas, injector #1 leaking.
#2,#3 wet with what appears to be oily substance on threads, no gas smell.
#4-8 all dry.

Looking back at my service records, the dealership noted misfires on #1,#5,#7 but only replaced bank 2 injectors (5-8). I took it back multiple times for misfires and rough idle, but dealer couldn't replicate so they wouldn't touch bank 1. I currently have a misfire on #1 cylinder that I'm leaving in, so along with the rest of the info I have will hopefully lead to them paying for #1 injector, and since you can't mix serial numbers, bank 1 entirely.

For tools:

BMW spark plug socket (12 1 220 etched on side)
3/8" drive ratchet
3/8" extensions totaling ~12"

Idle is better, no hiccups, but I'm sure they'll return soon enough with at least #1 injector leaking by. This is just a small bit of info for anyone going through something similar. I think there is already a spark plug DIY somewhere online, but if you have any specific questions about the job just let me know.

Worst case, if the dealer won't replace the injector, I will, and that would make a useful DIY.

[ARC550]

Nice just paid $500 for plugs and labor to BMW for instance.. All 8 of my plugs were rusted completely!!! Never seen anything like it.
Car drive so much better after.. By misfires are back!! Lol got to change me again.


Pics of yours?

[gclions]

Rust, yeah I heard from Serge. Mine have buildup, but I would be hesitant to call it rust. I wonder if E85 mix is the cause?

Plugs were $100 shipped on Amazon, and labor was free. I actually stripped it down to coils removed in under 10 minutes wearing a shirt and tie still. So, it's an easy swap. But you gotta let that thing cool down, I believe the aluminum isn't sleeved with steel threads so you'll pull threads out with the plug potentially if it's still hot.

The coil design is very user friendly, piece of cake to take off/put on.

[gclions]

Here are a few pictures, just cylinder #1 and #3. #2 looks like #3, and #4-8 were all dry.

[MEby]

Originally Posted by gclions

2011 550i, 54k miles. Rough idle occasionally. Misfires occasionally.

Easy job, I would say 3/10 on difficulty. It took me 45 min total.

Great information!...Were the misfires throwing codes? I see RockAuto has Bosch coils for about $30 each. I might order a couple just to have on hand. I have read a few guys have had bad ones causing misfires.

I've had to replace a couple on my old Infiniti, they were not the same for every cylinder. From what I can tell all 8 are the same on the N63.

Mike

[gclions]

I put the same coils back on, I don't believe they are at fault. I was getting misfires, definitely on #1, and if memory serves me correctly #3.

My biggest problem is being that I'm out of warranty I let the misfires go. I mean, I have a BT cable so I can clear the fault, and blah blah blah. I'm quoted at nearly $3000 for the dealership to do the other 4 injectors, and being on salary for the Navy doesn't allow me to throw that kind of cash at my car unless it's absolutely necessary. So, I've lived with it for months.

I likely would have continued living with it if I didn't get the strong smell of gas on plug #1 combined with the documentation from before. I plan on wrestling the dealership hard on that one, it's horse crap that they didn't replace all 8 with at least one documented misfire on bank 1.

All 8 coils are identical, numbers 1 and 5 are turned the other way, but are interchangeable.

So everyone knows:
Bank 1 (passenger side) is cylinders 1-4
Bank 2 (driver's side) is cylinders 5-8
#1 and #5 are at front of the engine

[MEby]

Originally Posted by gclions

I put the same coils back on, I don't believe they are at fault. I was getting misfires, definitely on #1, and if memory serves me correctly #3.

My biggest problem is being that I'm out of warranty I let the misfires go. I mean, I have a BT cable so I can clear the fault, and blah blah blah. I'm quoted at nearly $3000 for the dealership to do the other 4 injectors, and being on salary for the Navy doesn't allow me to throw that kind of cash at my car unless it's absolutely necessary. So, I've lived with it for months.

I likely would have continued living with it if I didn't get the strong smell of gas on plug #1 combined with the documentation from before. I plan on wrestling the dealership hard on that one, it's horse crap that they didn't replace all 8 with at least one documented misfire on bank 1.

All 8 coils are identical, numbers 1 and 5 are turned the other way, but are interchangeable.

So everyone knows:
Bank 1 (passenger side) is cylinders 1-4
Bank 2 (driver's side) is cylinders 5-8
#1 and #5 are at front of the engine

Did the car have the CCP done on it? In or out of warranty it shouldn't matter.


Mike

[badblack550xi]

i will do mine this week 1st time in 45k miles

[gclions]

I have had the CCP done, but it only ensured that injectors within the same bank were of the same serial number. I don't remember the CCP evaluating injector performance for replacement.

[gclions]

Well, the dealership agreed to go down the path to replace the remaining 4 injectors. They'll need to verify the injector is leaking, but that shouldn't be difficult to establish. My service advisor, who has always been great, said he can get BMWNA to cover the repair, which is a huge relief to me financially. I'd much rather go on a vacation than replace 4 injectors for $3000.

[ARC550]

your #3 looks like all 8 of my plugs ahahahahhahahha

[ARC550]

p.s Link me to where you got the plugs . I need to order ASAP and not paying $500 to BMW this time around.

[gclions]

PM sent. Also, for anyone else interested in spark plugs, just search for ZR5TPP33 on Amazon, there are several listings and it isn't restricted to the N63's either.

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by ARC550

Nice just paid $500 for plugs and labor to BMW for instance.. All 8 of my plugs were rusted completely!!! Never seen anything like it.
Car drive so much better after.. By misfires are back!! Lol got to change me again.


Pics of yours?

Do you use octane boosters with MMT? My plugs looked like they had a fine layer of rust on them and the dealer said it is from the MMT.

[gclions]

I do, though I likely won't anymore if that is true. That might explain the light reddish coating on all plugs. I would run a bottle through with a tank of gas about once every two months, more for the detergent/cleaning value than any slight octane benefit it may provide.

That's an interesting perspective from the dealer on the rust issue. I wonder if there is anything out there on the web about the effect of MMT on spark plugs.

[Mbbrewer]

[u2b][/u2b]

Originally Posted by gclions

I do, though I likely won't anymore if that is true. That might explain the light reddish coating on all plugs. I would run a bottle through with a tank of gas about once every two months, more for the detergent/cleaning value than any slight octane benefit it may provide.

That's an interesting perspective from the dealer on the rust issue. I wonder if there is anything out there on the web about the effect of MMT on spark plugs.

Dealer is replacing all of my spark plugs. Also, they found excessive carbon build up on the valves. Apparently it is from the cars having direct injection. The cleaning properties of the detergent won't help this problem. They are going to be pulling the motor and doing an entire cleaning on the valves.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by ARC550

Nice just paid $500 for plugs and labor to BMW

holy $hit!

[Simple5]

Oh Shinola. That's grip. Looks like I'm selling/trading mine in for something else after my CPO is up! I replaced the injectors on my n54 and it was easy. I looked at the fuel rail on the n63 and it looks the same. Buy the parts and get an indie shop to do it?

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Simple3

Oh Shinola. That's grip. Looks like I'm selling/trading mine in for something else after my CPO is up!

Thats my plan... Except right before the CPO is up

[Simple5]

Originally Posted by FenixMike

Thats my plan... Except right before the CPO is up

Very good point my friend... haha... My CPO runs out in May of 2017 so I may look into a 2013-14 CPO M5 when that time comes around. The 5-Series has spoiled me and I can't see myself in another 3- Series unless its an an M-car

[badblack550xi]

ordered my sparks sick price way cheaper than from dealer will do them next week.

[Zer0Cool92]

Originally Posted by gclions

Rust, yeah I heard from Serge. Mine have buildup, but I would be hesitant to call it rust. I wonder if E85 mix is the cause?

Plugs were $100 shipped on Amazon, and labor was free. I actually stripped it down to coils removed in under 10 minutes wearing a shirt and tie still. So, it's an easy swap. But you gotta let that thing cool down, I believe the aluminum isn't sleeved with steel threads so you'll pull threads out with the plug potentially if it's still hot.

The coil design is very user friendly, piece of cake to take off/put on.

What are the exact spark plugs you got? $100 seems very cheap.