spark plug change experience

[i-want-in]

"They used to fight for who got to do it, not that they are teenagers they fight for who "has" to do it."

LOL, At first they cant get enough, then they cant get away-

Kinda like owning an x5 probably..........................buzzkill

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by i-want-in

"They used to fight for who got to do it, not that they are teenagers they fight for who "has" to do it."

LOL, At first they cant get enough, then they cant get away-

Kinda like owning an x5 probably..........................buzzkill

ya - should have read "now that they are teenagers" oops - I'll edit that typo. But ya - exactly right!! pretty funny.

[kevinkay]

"did not use any anti-sieze either, plugs went in easy."
The anti-sieze is to be able to get them OUT the next time.......

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

"did not use any anti-sieze either, plugs went in easy."
The anti-sieze is to be able to get them OUT the next time.......

No kidding....even with the anti seize paste, they still come out hard after 60k miles or so.

[i-want-in]

Originally Posted by Bill K

No kidding....even with the anti seize paste, they still come out hard after 60k miles or so.

If you dont use anti -seize, when you remove the plugs, the friction on the threads also removes a small amount of the aluminum plug threads in the head. You may not notice, but over time it will make the threads looser. Whenever you screw steel into alum., there is a chemical reaction that takes place. This leads to corrosion which is going to eat at the alum. first, and mostly. Just use the dang anti-seize you lazy smuck.

[J.Belknap]

RockAuto Auto Parts
Search part # 3199
(NGK BKR6EQUP Spark Plug)
$6.93 each x 8 ($55.44) + shipping

Best deal I've found.

Originally Posted by i-want-in

Just use the dang anti-seize you lazy smuck.

Yes.

A little goes a long way though... and don't the NGK's have a *small* amount already on the threads? I could be mistaken... might be thinking of the Bosch O2's.

Curious... does the torque spec account for a small bit of anti-seize? I never found a definitive answer on that.

[ekimv65]

Hi all,

I am changing the plugs and from what I can find is a gap setting of .44. I do not have any verification of this from BMW. Anyone have any insight?

Thanks.

[i-want-in]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

RockAuto Auto Parts
Search part # 3199
(NGK BKR6EQUP Spark Plug)
$6.93 each x 8 ($55.44) + shipping

Best deal I've found.



Yes.

A little goes a long way though... and don't the NGK's have a *small* amount already on the threads? I could be mistaken... might be thinking of the Bosch O2's.

Curious... does the torque spec account for a small bit of anti-seize? I never found a definitive answer on that.

The o2's do have sum on em. And yes the stuff is nasty, hard to wash off!
Torque specs always account for lubed threads, that way your getting a true reading. Like when you assemble an engine, I like to use ARP thread lube, its moly based and dissolves in oil. Call a bolt manufacturer like ARP and verify in needed.
When using anti seize, its easier to feel the "crush" of the washer. Usually you go 45deg past that.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by i-want-in

Torque specs always account for lubed threads, that way your getting a true reading.

Not always;

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by i-want-in

If you dont use anti -seize, when you remove the plugs, the friction on the threads also removes a small amount of the aluminum plug threads in the head. You may not notice, but over time it will make the threads looser. Whenever you screw steel into alum., there is a chemical reaction that takes place. This leads to corrosion which is going to eat at the alum. first, and mostly. Just use the dang anti-seize you lazy smuck.

Even if that is true, the OE plugs are good for 80,000 - 100,000 miles. How many times do you plan on changing them? I doubt you are going to lose much material after 3 or 4 plug changes, which if you are using OE plugs should get you to about 300,000 or 400,000 miles. You will probably have bigger fish to fry at that mileage (if you still have the vehicle). If you change them as much as m5james, you may want to pick up a drum of KY from Costco.