DIY: 2006 X5 3.0i Spark Plugs using NGK Iridium BKR6EIX

[TiAgX5]

How does a shrouded spark (from hooked electrode) IMPROVE response?

Also, which of those benefits do not apply to.........

https://www.boschautoparts.com/auto/...on-spark-plugs

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

How does a shrouded spark (from hooked electrode) IMPROVE response?

Also, which of those benefits do not apply to.........

https://www.boschautoparts.com/auto/...on-spark-plugs

My quote was regarding fine wire center electrodes plugs promote un-shrouding of the plug that provide clean first fire at the cyl due to lean mixtures".

To keep this simple for most of the non techie readers: Multiple side electrodes (side straps in Champion terminology) only create more shrouding issues in lean conditions. Do many plug manufacturers market plugs more for marketing hype than actual performance gains that are measureable...you bet. See Split Fire Plugs, Y Fire Plugs, and a host of others.

In the DIY world, pick a plug you like that provides proper service (life, fit, fires) and enjoy. All other issues are "bench racing" that require engines, dynos, lab equipment, and skilled operators to confirm results, none of which I have access to since I left Champion Spark Plugs and Dana Corporation Engine Management Div (Accell Racing Ignition, Hurst Shifters, Borg Warner Trans /Clutches, Borg Warner, Neihoff, NAPA, Beck Arnold Ign, Mr Gasket, Fuel Management parts (Injectors, pumps, lines, rails & Tanks) etc. Welcome to conglomerates and roll ups, Dana is a $14.4 Billion company now) and moved into the IT world.

Old adage: Put 5 engineers in a room to come up with a solution to a problem and you will get back 109 solutions that you as the manager get to pick from, as each one of their 109 approaches has SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities for improvements, and Threats that it will not).

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Tip and Trick for those who have the REPLACEABLE coil to plug boots. Replace them at 80-100K (OR 10 years) as the resistance will grow until the plug will not fire as the boot resistance exceeds the coil's output. They just twist and pull off. They are nothing but a really short plug wire. Later models have molded boots that do NOT come off. Images below...

The first indication is poor idle and miss fires in high load situations (part throttle hill climbs)

Cheap part but make sure you match up coil brand/manufacture to the boot you are buying. (Bremi/Bosch)

More images BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Ignition - ECS Tuning

Not sure what your saying here. Are you saying to replace all 6 COPS?

[cn90]

- The rubber boots crack after 150K or so, and they are cheap.
- The ignition coils: replace them only when they go bad. Best is to buy a few used coils on ebay and leave them in the trunk as spare. You can swap them in the middle of nowhere w/o any special tool.

[MPDano]

Ok, just looked on Pelican parts. Looks like they are only replaceable on certain years and "not" on my 2004 X5 3.0

Looks like my only option is to replace the whole COP.

X5 3.0i (2001 thru September 2002)
X5 4.4i (2000-03)
X5 4.6is (2002-03)

[StephenVA]

If you have the "new style" coils see images below then the boot are part of the coil and do not suffer from deterioration like the "older" versions.

[Bucephalus]

Outstanding thread and discussion!


Not new to changing plugs, but things are too expensive for discovery learning.


Going after single prong Iridium plugs!

[StephenVA]

Good move!

[270_BMW]

Just a heads up... NGK says specifically on an aluminum block not to use anti-seize... danger of over-torquing the plugs.

[cn90]

- Look up what torque necessary to strip the cylinder head threads.
Go to junk yard and play with spark plug and threads, it takes way beyond 100 ft*lb to cause any damage.

- Google that topic (what torque can cause cylinder head damage).

- I have been using anti-seize for 20 years using the same torque, zero issues.
If you are worried, you can reduce the torque a bit, let's say the book states 18 ft*lb, then with antiseize, reduce it to 16 ft*lb or something like that.