P0300, P0302, P0304, P0306, Engine running rough with little power

[X5Cat]

Well, I went ahead and used finger tight plus 1/2 turn since these are gasket seat spark plugs. As far as the gap, I found 0.044 on the NGK site. The existing plugs I measured to be about 0.055. The new ones were supposed to be pre-gapped but they all measured about 0.040 by my gauge. I installed them as they were, without re-gapping. Cranked it up when I finished and the car still runs about the same. I didn't read the codes again but I imagine they are about the same, too. Can't say that I'm really surprised.

Wasn't able to see much concerning a possible gasket vacuum leak. All plug wells were clean & dry except No. 4, which was sopping with oil, but the oil wasn't high enough to reach the boot of the coil. The coil was clean & dry. No oil on the tip side of the plug (in combustion chamber). I'll post a photo later of the plugs after removal. Nos. 1, 2, 3, & 5 were black, with No. 2 being a little less so than the others. Nos. 4 & 6 were much whiter.

Guess I have to figure out now how to identify a vacuum leak, or just take a chance ripping the valve cover off for exploratory surgery.

[jfoj]

One thing to check/rule out which is pretty easy, check the vehicle charging system. Most of the BMW engines use a Multiple Spark Discharge or multiple trigger of the spark plug for each firing cycle. If the charging system is low, the DME will disable this feature.

Most of the BMW charging systems operate between 13.8-14.2 Volts that I have seen. Unfortunately the stupid E70 does a VERY poor job, if at all, about notifying the driver that there is any sort of charging problem.

You should be able to bring up and display the Voltage in the cluster, but it is also wise to verify the charging Voltage at the battery terminals and the under hood jump start connections.

This explains the Hidden Menu - http://www.scoopz.com/m5board/E60_Hi...structions.pdf

[X5Cat]

Photos of plugs after removal last night. No. 4 also shown as it was removed drenched in oil (but oil not up to coil boot, and oil not inside engine).

[jfoj]

#4 & #6 in general appear to be Lean based on the color, but this is not always 100% given. The others look very carboned up.

The oil in the plug well means you will need to replace the valve cover gasket at some point, but for now you have no more oil in the plug well and as you mentioned it was maybe not quite high enough to cause problems.

Would really like to see Fuel Trim values and you may want to consider a smoke test as well. Have you ordered an OBDII interface?

[X5Cat]

Originally Posted by jfoj

Would really like to see Fuel Trim values and you may want to consider a smoke test as well. Have you ordered an OBDII interface?

Ordering the interface today. Intended yesterday but just didn't get it done. I haven't done a smoke test before. Can I do at home, and what do I need?

[jfoj]

Originally Posted by X5Cat

Ordering the interface today. Intended yesterday but just didn't get it done. I haven't done a smoke test before. Can I do at home, and what do I need?

You can do a basic smoke test at home, the cheapest and easiest way is a cheap fluid transfer pump, a rubber glove and some rubber bands and a few cheap cigars and of course a lighter.

Most auto parts stores sell this fluid transfer pump for under $10.

Amazon.com: ABN Multi-Use Siphon Fluid Transfer Pump Kit for Gas, Oil, Liquid, and Air: Automotive

See this video, I think it is self explanatory -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsgB9eBl58I

[X5Cat]

Thanks, I will study the video later and check with a local parts store. Ordered the interface, supposed to arrive tomorrow (1-day shipping).

I found one thread on this site which mentions a plug gap of 0.025. Looks like we're all over the place with this.