Changed Spark Plugs today on the V8 and can't get the last coil - Page 2

Orthotist · #1 06-25-2018, 08:25 AM

cbracerx · #2 07-11-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orthotist

I came here to post this. Great DIY guide, thanks! I'm tackling this job (new coils also) in the next day or so.

Found this also, it's not bad but a lot of "selling" is included https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZwVANRla4

Toothbrush · #3 07-11-2018, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbracerx

I came here to post this. Great DIY guide, thanks! I'm tackling this job (new coils also) in the next day or so.

Found this also, it's not bad but a lot of "selling" is included https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZwVANRla4

One additional tip that may make the job a tiny bit easier... Since a number of the spark plugs are in hard to reach places, you may find yourself in this situation:

Removed old plug, no problem!
Installed new plug, no problem!
Try to remove tools and spark plug socket doesn't want to come back out even though your extension/s do. Problem! Now you have a spark plug socket you have to somehow fish out with pliers or some other method. I've seen a bunch of posts about this and have experienced it myself once or twice. Very frustrating.

My own personal solution was to take some thread, wrap it around the socket a couple of times and then secure it using electrical tape. At the other end of this long thread I put a bit of tape on the end, sort of as a makeshift handle or 'pull', so no matter what that socket will always come out.

gregg3gs · #4 02-22-2014, 10:43 PM

Sounds like you all had fun. I thought that spark plugs were to be changed every 60k miles. My worked fine all the way to a 100k when I did valley pan, and while there did the plugs.

I do not think there is a way to get that (driver side back) plug out without climbing onto the engine. I did have a friend hold the hoses as I was "cursing up a storm", I mean removing the spark plug coil and plug itself.

neosoul · #5 02-23-2014, 02:27 AM

Ughhhhh

Finally came back from dinner to finish the job and now the car is idling rough

Got a p0300 p0302 and p0308

I read that 1-4 cylinders is on the passenger side while 5-8 is on the driver side. Can soemone confirm please?

Also i didnt tighten the coil connection on the driver side second from the front coil on the first startup but cirrected that. Did i fry that coil? But from that earlier calxculation that should be p0306 i.e. Cylinder six

neosoul · #6 02-23-2014, 07:26 PM

Ok - found the cylinder layout and it's just like I feared. P0308 is that dreaded driver side inner most spark/coil.

Since it was Sunday I decided to tackle it by re inspecting the spark plugs and coils.

Pulled the dreaded 8th cylinder coil, put it aside and pulled the spark plug and found the problem. The ground electrode collapsed on the center electrode! I don't remember dropping any plug and causing this but it is possible. Pulled an easier to reach known good cylinder one spark + coil and installed it on cylinder 8.

Reinstalled cylinder 1 with the original spark plug + coil to get the car stable again. At worst I'll need to buy a new spark and coil.

Did the same with cylinder 6+ 5 as that spark plug had a collapsed electrode ground too.

Anyway car started up fine now. Used my odb tool to reset the CEL light. Can't believe I made two huge mistakes. Ordered two new plugs but at least the coils were good.

Westlotorn · #7 12-02-2016, 06:32 PM

Man I really wish I had found this thread last weekend. I worked off and on for more than 4 hours on the number 8 coil removal. With all the reported hoses and battery cables removed and out of the way mine would not come out no matter how I rotated it. I finally went under the car and used a 2 inch truckers strap to pull the engine slightly over to the passenger side. Flexing the motor mounts a little.
This gained about 1/2 inch clearance and my #8 finally came out. I hooked to the rear of the oil pan and the pass side suspension by the ball joints. Cranked down the strap till I saw the engine move a little. That was what I needed in my car.

The above post mentioning collapsed electrodes. Probably happened when you installed them. Most spark plug sockets have a rubber insert to help you do this job or Champion sells spark plug installers that are like a rubber hose about 10 inches long and flexible for doing this job with no damage.
BTW: I used the Champion Iridium 9202 spark plugs. These are true Iridium plugs and are guaranteed 7 years unlimited miles. I have been told 200,000 is in reason.
I installed these in 3 previous BMW's we owned and trust them.
Thanks for your write ups on the #8, I sure wish I could have found it last week.....

Now while in there, I decided at 100,000 miles it is time to replace all fluids, filters and O'rings, gaskets for the valve covers etc. plus all Coolant hoses, the engine oil cooling gaskets and the Tranny filter and fluid $1,100 in parts and I bet this will be 40 + hours of my time before all is done.
But then I hope it is roadworthy for several more years.
Mark

euge · #8 12-02-2016, 06:57 PM

Two people is ideal to remove the last coil, my buddy held the two hoses up while i manuvered to get the coil out.

neosoul · #9 12-02-2016, 09:03 PM

I'm 5'9 and it was possible using this baby

Westlotorn · #10 12-02-2016, 09:23 PM

For me, all 8 plugs were easy, using tools similar to what you did with yours.
Sad part, the plugs I pulled out were all in great shape, no sign of misfire or any other issue, they have been burning perfectly. But they got replaced.
The coils were not an issue once I did one and knew the drill they were all OK except for that number 8 coil. *!*!*!*!. That one really ticked me off for wasting so much time.