Let's make N63TU 50i great again! Changing spark plugs - community DIY (in progress)

[Maverik259]

Ya I'm shocked by this. If my AMG needed it every 2 years I'd shit a brick given it had 16 of them and the bottom ones were right next to the headers!

But yes. Allllll done! Will put up write up tomorrow with pics.

But if bad news unfortunately as it's no longer drivable. I broke a piece of very brittle plastic tubing that turned out to be an effing oil line. A plastic oil line running right behind the turbos and above the cats just blows my mind. You'll see in my early photos that I had quite a bit of oil build up (and currently still wet) right under these lines. So I think I actually had a crack in one of them. It snapped simply by me put in my hand under it to wipe up the oil! Just sad design by BMW to be honest.

Anyway gonna take the hose into the dealer tomorrow to try and get a replacement on order as I'm sure something like this isn't just lying around. But this did lead me to learn how to put the X5 into neutral without the engine on as I only had part of my car in the garage so I had room to move around the engine bay. This was a pain but got it all done and put back in the garage. Can't wait to get her started up again and go Above 2k RPM without limp mode. Lol

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ya I'm shocked by this. If my AMG needed it every 2 years I'd shit a brick given it had 16 of them and the bottom ones were right next to the headers!

But yes. Allllll done! Will put up write up tomorrow with pics.

But if bad news unfortunately as it's no longer drivable. I broke a piece of very brittle plastic tubing that turned out to be an effing oil line. A plastic oil line running right behind the turbos and above the cats just blows my mind. You'll see in my early photos that I had quite a bit of oil build up (and currently still wet) right under these lines. So I think I actually had a crack in one of them. It snapped simply by me put in my hand under it to wipe up the oil! Just sad design by BMW to be honest.

Anyway gonna take the hose into the dealer tomorrow to try and get a replacement on order as I'm sure something like this isn't just lying around. But this did lead me to learn how to put the X5 into neutral without the engine on as I only had part of my car in the garage so I had room to move around the engine bay. This was a pain but got it all done and put back in the garage. Can't wait to get her started up again and go Above 2k RPM without limp mode. Lol

Wow, Maverick259 you are the man! I'm very sorry to hear about that hose. On the other hand looks like it was already leaking slowly and it's better that it cracked in garage rather than somewhere on the road.
Take your time. We'll wait for write up.

[Maverik259]

My thoughts exactly. The car did just ask me to put in 2 quarts of oil last weekend while on a road trip. First time I heard a peep and it was for 2 quarts. I was pretty shocked. But this may have been why. I'm surprised my pressure was holding up with no CEL for me to lose 2 quarts like that

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

My thoughts exactly. The car did just ask me to put in 2 quarts of oil last weekend while on a road trip. First time I heard a peep and it was for 2 quarts. I was pretty shocked. But this may have been why. I'm surprised my pressure was holding up with no CEL for me to lose 2 quarts like that

Yes, I think you avoided major potential headache by noticing that crack in timely manner.

[Maverik259]

Replacement part for the hose looks to be about $150 lol. No part number on the hose so it took some time trying to find it but we narrowed it down. Will be here Thursday morning. Can't wait to get it started

[BobBeau]

Originally Posted by DuSh

For those who are tuned: should we consider using X5M "colder and high performance" spark plugs? part# 12120039634 RB ZMR5TPP330 ironically they cost less lol: https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...120039634.html We can also consider some other spark plugs that are 1 or 2 steps colder - this way we might not get into limp mode at full throttle with our tuned cars. Just my opinion. Any suggestions welcome!

These don't specify the F85 X5M. Looks like the E model M. It says not compatible when you choose a 2015-2018 X5M

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by BobBeau

These don't specify the F85 X5M. Looks like the E model M. It says not compatible when you choose a 2015-2018 X5M

Yeah, that link I just provided as an example for a place to buy it online - mainly for price they sell it, but their description is not complete and is confusing, I agree.

Here's more straightforward source from realoem (please see diagram with part#).

[BobBeau]

Ahhh

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by BobBeau

Ahhh

Bob, in case you'll decide to change spark plugs - please let us know your experience and if it will solve the issue you are having.

[BobBeau]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

I'm sorry but htf are the OEM X5M spark plugs $4 a piece when ours are $15! What am I missing here?!

Where did you find them for $4 a piece? I see them for 6 and change

[BobBeau]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Bob, in case you'll decide to change spark plugs - please let us know your experience and if it will solve the issue you are having.

Will do

[BobBeau]

Just ordered M plugs off of Ebay. Ebay is having a 20% off everything over $50 sale. Plugs were $47.86 and free shipping (item #192549024573) plus some $3 air freshener. So plugs and air freshener for $40 bucks shipped. And I was about to drop over $100 bucks on stock plugs...#winning.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by BobBeau

Just ordered M plugs off of Ebay. Ebay is having a 20% off everything over $50 sale. Plugs were $47.86 and free shipping (item #192549024573) plus some $3 air freshener. So plugs and air freshener for $40 bucks shipped. And I was about to drop over $100 bucks on stock plugs...#winning.

Damn, I should do the same probably. I am at 30k miles right now and I was going to wait till Fall, but I think I'll buy spark plugs - they don't have expiry date
It's mind blowing how in the world OEM ///M parts are selling for such low price?! I bet even oem bmw jag of windshield fluid costs more.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by BobBeau

These don't specify the F85 X5M. Looks like the E model M. It says not compatible when you choose a 2015-2018 X5M

Come up for me when I search 2015 X5M. $4.38 a piece.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Damn, I should do the same probably. I am at 30k miles right now and I was going to wait till Fall, but I think I'll buy spark plugs - they don't have expiry date
It's mind blowing how in the world OEM ///M parts are selling for such low price?! I bet even oem bmw jag of windshield fluid costs more.

Do it man! Just be careful around that oil line Above the turbos. I get my new one tomorrow morning so once I put that on and start her up I'll post my DIY.

[BobBeau]

In case anyone else is looking to buy these... This seller has the lowest prices I've come across on almost all the BMW parts I've ordered. I got the genuine M filters from him for $76 shipped. If it's not in his store just "ask seller a question" and he'll get back to you pretty fast with a price.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by BobBeau

In case anyone else is looking to buy these... This seller has the lowest prices I've come across on almost all the BMW parts I've ordered. I got the genuine M filters from him for $76 shipped. If it's not in his store just "ask seller a question" and he'll get back to you pretty fast with a price.

$3.83 per plug for a current model X5M?! What have the world come to?
I bet plugs for 2001 Dodge Neon cost more

[Maverik259]

Picked up the new part. Bought flipped my shit and went straight to the service manager when I got it. The new part to replace the POS that cracked is light years better and what should have been installed from design. Placing this $10 piece of plastic on top of the turbos to run hot oil through is disgraceful and I just don't feel like I should be paying for the new replacement part. I'm very disappointed in BMW and this vehicle with the $100k price tag.

It's now made of thick rubber!

Also love the rust I see building up on the what I think is the turbos.

[DuSh]

That rust is if I'm not mistaken a cats no? I won't be worried about it at all, because all cats I've seen are like that - they heat up to 1700F and there can't be any paint or other protection - it's straight steel/iron - so IMHO that's normal I think. It won't go anywhere else. Same with rotors - no matter the brand they will rust in a week when not used.

[turboawd]

I'd guess the center section of the Turbo is the rusty metal. Looks like a lube line bolted to it. Also the exhaust side is probably bare metal due to the heat of makes. Bmw is at the top when it comes to no rust. Take 10 year old bmw and look underneath. Then look at a GM.

[Maverik259]

It coulda been stainless steel lol. Anyway I hate seeing rust on a car much less in the engine bay But hey good news...SHE STARTED RIGHT UP! lol

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

It coulda been stainless steel lol. Anyway I hate seeing rust on a car much less in the engine bay But hey good news...SHE STARTED RIGHT UP! lol