E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Misfire after sparkplug change

Old Aug 28, 2013 | 06:28 PM
  #1  
carlova78's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Default Misfire after sparkplug change

So, we have a 2007 530i with 60k miles and I thought I'd change the spark plugs because the mpgs were so so. (Not 350+ like my e39).

I replaced all 6 last night with NGKs, same part # as originals. After putting everything back together, I start the engine and it had a small misfire. I drove it around the neighborhood and the ses light came on.

Afterwards, I scan the car, and it says misfire cylinder 2. Funny thing is, cyl. 2 has a new coilpack I replaced a few months back. I swapped coil packs 1 and 2 and there's still a misfire.

I will try putting the old spark plug back in. Maybe the new spark plug is bad?

When the code reader says cylinder 2, does it confirm that it is coming from cylinder 2?

Thanks.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 07:29 PM
  #2  
E60I's Avatar
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: SOCAL
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530I
Model Year: 530i
Default

Do the following:

1. "Carefully examine" the wire harness (it has three thin wires) that is connected to the ignition coil. You might have broke the insulator when you pulled it apart from the ignition coil.

2. Make sure the spark plug is properly torqued and the ignition coil is properly connected to the spark plug.

Good luck!!!
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 04:32 AM
  #3  
BMW535xia's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

So, will a "misfire" code for any cylinder trigger an SES? Or, just connect the code reader to determine? Car has rough cold start after setting overnight, and thought it may be coil, injector, spark plug related.

Last edited by BMW535xia; Aug 29, 2013 at 04:36 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 04:40 AM
  #4  
Pitch Black's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Default

Only because this happened to me.

Are the spark plugs torqued to spec? Are the new plugs gapped to spec?

If so, bad plug. Swap plugs with another cylinder and see if the misfire moves.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 10:25 AM
  #5  
carlova78's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Default

Originally Posted by Pitch Black
Only because this happened to me.

Are the spark plugs torqued to spec? Are the new plugs gapped to spec?

If so, bad plug. Swap plugs with another cylinder and see if the misfire moves.

They are pre-gapped.

And no, I don't see a need to torque spark plugs. I always to it by feel and never had problems.

I'll try that! Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 10:26 AM
  #6  
carlova78's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Default

Originally Posted by BMW535xia
So, will a "misfire" code for any cylinder trigger an SES? Or, just connect the code reader to determine? Car has rough cold start after setting overnight, and thought it may be coil, injector, spark plug related.
Yes it will, but sometimes there will be a "pending" code and it'll trigger it in the future.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
Pitch Black's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by carlova78
They are pre-gapped.

And no, I don't see a need to torque spark plugs. I always to it by feel and never had problems.

I'll try that! Thanks
I didn't too. I hand tightened my N54 plugs and I had codes on all cylinders. I got my torque wrench out, cleared the codes and all of a sudden no problem.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 01:38 PM
  #8  
BMW535xia's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by carlova78
Yes it will, but sometimes there will be a "pending" code and it'll trigger it in the future.
oh yes...pending codes. waiting to hear from my indy about the cold start issue after having brake fluid flush/fill, oil/filter change, service resets done today. thanks...
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2013 | 06:52 PM
  #9  
carlova78's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Default

UPDATE:

Okay so I played around with it tonight, swapped the cyl. 2 spark plug out with the old one. Misfire was gone and it ran smoothly. I put the new one back in, and all was well. I must have left something loosely connected after all. Hope the MPGs go up now!

Thanks for all the input guys!

Pics of the car btw.

Name:  0AD520DA-4BD0-4DC6-9FB5-0E6354A3B240-83183-00001FEDB550C947_zps4b28eedc.jpg
Views: 1843
Size:  109.2 KB
Name:  BC40317E-AB41-4F38-A843-295E9E26C7AC-83183-00001FED9121A3AD_zps4a8cef49.jpg
Views: 1382
Size:  152.3 KB
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2013 | 07:13 AM
  #10  
tonyb635's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 3
From: UpState SC
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Default

I hear proper torque on these plugs is most important. The only possibilities I see with what happen is like you said something may have not been connected correctly OR you achieved a better torque this time...
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:35 AM.