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Introduction

Changing spark plugs on BMW E36

  1. To access the spark plugs you have to remove the ignition coils. There are 6 on 6-cylinder engines and 4 on 4-cylinders (on 4-cylinders it's easier to remove, you just have to pull on them) Unscrew the 2 nuts of 10 which are after each coil When reassembling, be careful not to forget to screw back the braided cable at each end (blue arrow)
    • To access the spark plugs you have to remove the ignition coils. There are 6 on 6-cylinder engines and 4 on 4-cylinders (on 4-cylinders it's easier to remove, you just have to pull on them)

    • Unscrew the 2 nuts of 10 which are after each coil

    • When reassembling, be careful not to forget to screw back the braided cable at each end (blue arrow)

    • Once everything is unscrewed, remove the electric cable that is after each coil. To do this, with one hand pull the metal cover upwards and with the other hand, pull the cable to disconnect it.

    • Once the electric cable is removed you can take out your coils. Be careful they have an order. So put the first one back first, etc.

  2. Now this is what you should see. You can clearly see the candle at the bottom. Using your spark plug wrench in the wells, unscrew the spark plugs. Repeat for all 6 candles
    • Now this is what you should see. You can clearly see the candle at the bottom.

    • Using your spark plug wrench in the wells, unscrew the spark plugs.

    • Repeat for all 6 candles

  3. To put the ignition coils back, repeat step 2 but in reverse order. Little reminder: Don't forget to put back the small braided cable located at each end (depending on your engine, you may only have one)
    • To put the ignition coils back, repeat step 2 but in reverse order.

    • Little reminder: Don't forget to put back the small braided cable located at each end (depending on your engine, you may only have one)

    • Then put back the 2 plastic covers and therefore the 4 nuts of 10 then put back the 4 small plastic nut covers

Finish Line

5 other people completed this guide.

Arthur Gerber

Member since: 06/30/2015

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2 Guides authored

4 Comments

Be careful, they have an order, so put the first one back first, etc.

No I don't think there is an order the coils are all the same

Pierre HUNTER - Reply

Good morning,

The spark plugs are never in order and neither are the coils because they are all the same. On the other hand, the cables are important and must be put back in the same place.

Arthur Gerber -

With the tightening torque it would be better, it would avoid damaging the thread with too much tightening.

For an E36 M50 and M52 a torque of 2.6kg or 26nm

DANIEL SOARES - Reply

Indeed, thank you for the addition.

Arthur Gerber -

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