Changing plugs on 740
Discussion
Hey
Normally reside on a couple of the other forums but got a BMW question.
I have a 1997 740 that could use a service. Running a tad rough. Now, I have never serviced a car in my life but thought this would be a good place to start! Not going to do the oil as I want someone to do that to deal wth the mess but figured I can at least do the plugs.
So my question is where do I get the little tool thingy I need to get the cover off the engine in the first place?!
Failing which and in case I bottle it, anyone know a cheap B<W chap in North London?
Car has so far done 170k but still pulls like a steam train and other than a cupholder and a small amount of laquer damage on the bonnet, it is still as good as the day sje rolled out of the dealer! Bought it as a spinner to be honest but loved it and still use it as my daily drive 2 years on.
Thanks for any help
PL
Normally reside on a couple of the other forums but got a BMW question.
I have a 1997 740 that could use a service. Running a tad rough. Now, I have never serviced a car in my life but thought this would be a good place to start! Not going to do the oil as I want someone to do that to deal wth the mess but figured I can at least do the plugs.
So my question is where do I get the little tool thingy I need to get the cover off the engine in the first place?!
Failing which and in case I bottle it, anyone know a cheap B<W chap in North London?
Car has so far done 170k but still pulls like a steam train and other than a cupholder and a small amount of laquer damage on the bonnet, it is still as good as the day sje rolled out of the dealer! Bought it as a spinner to be honest but loved it and still use it as my daily drive 2 years on.
Thanks for any help
PL
Pappa Lurve said:
! Not going to do the oil as I want someone to do that to deal wth the mess but figured I can at least do the plugs.
Actually the changing the oil is probably one of the easiest jobs to do. Get yourself a vacuum oil extractor of ebay (the v8 hold 6 litres, get the big one) and then suck the oil out. The filter is trivial, its the round thing bolted to the wing in the engine bay.
Takes about 10minutes to complete, no jacking up - no mess.
eliot said:
Pappa Lurve said:
! Not going to do the oil as I want someone to do that to deal wth the mess but figured I can at least do the plugs.
Actually the changing the oil is probably one of the easiest jobs to do. Get yourself a vacuum oil extractor of ebay (the v8 hold 6 litres, get the big one) and then suck the oil out. The filter is trivial, its the round thing bolted to the wing in the engine bay.
Takes about 10minutes to complete, no jacking up - no mess.
Persoanlly I'm not a fan of those things. Yes its quick and clean, but it wont get all the crud up which will settle on the bottom of the sump. For piece of mind, I would always do the more traditional approach.
mmm, sounds like it might be worth a go although I fully take the point about the rubbish at the bottom of the sump.
Still not sure how I get the engine cover off though....
Oh and Vee - yup, I am in stanmore. We really should get a local meet going but ideally I would like to wait until my cerbie is on the road in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the reccomendation in pinner.
Cheers
Still not sure how I get the engine cover off though....
Oh and Vee - yup, I am in stanmore. We really should get a local meet going but ideally I would like to wait until my cerbie is on the road in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the reccomendation in pinner.
Cheers
Edited by pappa lurve on Saturday 28th April 11:07
eliot said:
Pappa Lurve said:
! Not going to do the oil as I want someone to do that to deal wth the mess but figured I can at least do the plugs.
Actually the changing the oil is probably one of the easiest jobs to do. Get yourself a vacuum oil extractor of ebay (the v8 hold 6 litres, get the big one) and then suck the oil out. The filter is trivial, its the round thing bolted to the wing in the engine bay.
Takes about 10minutes to complete, no jacking up - no mess.
Be careful of the sump bung on these-if its tight whilst undoing it do it back up and leave-you are likely to need the lower sump pan as the threads tend to pull out.
The upper covers are held down by 2 10mm headed bolts(under little covers)Rear ones are slightly harder to get out.The covers will come out with some patients and manipulation.
You may find that there is oil sat in the plug well-the cam cover gaskets tend to leak,that causes the coils to fail-if there is alot of oil,try and clean as much out as you can-stops it from going into the cylinder
Edited by blackspider on Saturday 28th April 12:12
Edited by blackspider on Saturday 28th April 12:13
It should be similar,if not the same, as a 540.Here's a guide www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Maintenance/Engine/M60plugs.asp
If there's a problem, try asking on the forum.
www.bimmer.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35
If there's a problem, try asking on the forum.
www.bimmer.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35
Pappa Lurve said:
So my question is where do I get the little tool thingy I need to get the cover off the engine in the first place?!
No such thing mate! Push all four circular things down and the top cover comes off. Take a screw driver and pop the covers off either side of the BMW symbol on the 'rocker covers'. Unscrew et woila access to the plugs, that is once you have undone some more screws, taken off the electronics, then use a box spanner on the plugs, now you can see into the engine!
Plug change
Press the buttons to remove the cover
Remove the screw covers and spark plug covers
Ooooh Oil - looks like I need to replace my rocker cover gaskets
Undo the clips to release the spark plug coil pack feeds
Remove the plugs (some where a bit mucky)
Remove em all
Compare old and new
This I find amazing 98,000 miles and that's what a set of plugs look like!!!!
Having got em out and with new ones to hand I certainly wasn't putting them back - was it worth it? See later on in this thread!!! :lol:
New plugs in (bit of copaslip on the threads)
Connect up the wires
Cover plates back on and engine cowl back on too
Check pot for spare screws
nope empty so thats good :lol:
Difference - Yes and very worthwhile much better tickover and the little "miss" has gone it's smoother and more responsive and at a guess doing a bit better mpg too but all the recent long runs have been with bikes on a rack at the back so that hurts mpg a bit
Press the buttons to remove the cover
Remove the screw covers and spark plug covers
Ooooh Oil - looks like I need to replace my rocker cover gaskets
Undo the clips to release the spark plug coil pack feeds
Remove the plugs (some where a bit mucky)
Remove em all
Compare old and new
This I find amazing 98,000 miles and that's what a set of plugs look like!!!!
Having got em out and with new ones to hand I certainly wasn't putting them back - was it worth it? See later on in this thread!!! :lol:
New plugs in (bit of copaslip on the threads)
Connect up the wires
Cover plates back on and engine cowl back on too
Check pot for spare screws
nope empty so thats good :lol:
Difference - Yes and very worthwhile much better tickover and the little "miss" has gone it's smoother and more responsive and at a guess doing a bit better mpg too but all the recent long runs have been with bikes on a rack at the back so that hurts mpg a bit
Been offline for the last few days and just saw the response. OMG - thank you so much, especially fr the pictorial guide!!!
Almost feeling happy enough to do it myself! Got to be a business out there for someone teaching people on their own cars how to do the basics like a service etc.
Even by PH standards of assistance you guys have been awesome!
Thanks muchly. I will report back in the next week or two when I have done it to let you know if I messed it up!
Almost feeling happy enough to do it myself! Got to be a business out there for someone teaching people on their own cars how to do the basics like a service etc.
Even by PH standards of assistance you guys have been awesome!
Thanks muchly. I will report back in the next week or two when I have done it to let you know if I messed it up!
When I changed the plugs on the wifes 325 the other day, I noticed that after the initial crack of undoing the plug - that it would bind up straight away when continuing to loosen it. I found that going back in and out a turn or so would let it come out cleanly.
I assume its the carbon built up on the end, which then drops off rather than forcing it all the way out.
I assume its the carbon built up on the end, which then drops off rather than forcing it all the way out.
pappa lurve said:
Been offline for the last few days and just saw the response. OMG - thank you so much, especially fr the pictorial guide!!!
np
pappa lurve said:
Almost feeling happy enough to do it myself! Got to be a business out there for someone teaching people on their own cars how to do the basics like a service etc.
Thats what forums are for isn't it and pictures help a lot
I just copied it from a post I'd already done on www.the7seriesregister.co.uk
pappa lurve said:
Even by PH standards of assistance you guys have been awesome!
Thanks muchly. I will report back in the next week or two when I have done it to let you know if I messed it up!
Thanks muchly. I will report back in the next week or two when I have done it to let you know if I messed it up!
Take your time and it'll be fine
eliot said:
When I changed the plugs on the wifes 325 the other day, I noticed that after the initial crack of undoing the plug - that it would bind up straight away when continuing to loosen it. I found that going back in and out a turn or so would let it come out cleanly.
I assume its the carbon built up on the end, which then drops off rather than forcing it all the way out.
I assume its the carbon built up on the end, which then drops off rather than forcing it all the way out.
Sounds like the plugs were too long to me???
So did the air filter which must have taken all of about 30 secs. Then popped the engine cover off which was simple. Then all started looking a bit complex so off to get a haynes manual asi just want to be certain which things I undo and which I leave alone but TBH, does not look to grim. If it stops raining, I might even do it today.
Oddly though, the new filter seems to have smoothed the running slightly even on tickover. Or maybe it's not odd. I know nothing!
Feeling a lot hppier about it now though having had a look under the engine cover.
Standby for next sit-rep!
Oddly though, the new filter seems to have smoothed the running slightly even on tickover. Or maybe it's not odd. I know nothing!
Feeling a lot hppier about it now though having had a look under the engine cover.
Standby for next sit-rep!
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