Changing plugs on a 2022 G30 N63 M550

oldtexasdog · 11-01-2023, 05:27 PM

Folks I need a little help/advice here please.
I am 70+

and have a good knowledge of mechanics and I am good with tools which I have a LOT of

I have changed plugs all my life-some harder ones were the upside down ones on the old Cadillac Northstar engines and the 3.6 2008 Mustang which had a rear one that was notorious for freezing up.
But now I am intimated by my BMW and embarrassed to have to ask this question but I have after 2 days got my ego under control so here it goes....
How the hell do I change the plugs???
I have been all over u-tube and google

and there are a lot of video's on the 2019 N63 with the air box's back by the firewall but my 2020 M550i has them up front which would be a hurray! Right?
No alas there is a radiator coolant reservoir siting on the drivers side right over I believe numbers 1 and two plug's at least.
What is involved with this process and is there anywhere with visual or written instructions or do I just donate my next SOC check to a dealership to change them?
I need-oh hell- want

to tune and need to replace the plugs with some gaped at 0.023.

Thank all

jagyro · 11-02-2023, 01:34 AM

They are a pain from what ive seen. Best bet id say is find a non dealership shop to change them. I have a bmw shop i always goto and trust that does all my work.

same engine basically. Our engine is a N63B44T3 or n63 short

oldtexasdog · 11-02-2023, 08:43 AM

Thanks jagyro
Yep I saw that one. Again it's not the taking the plugs out and putting them in it's how to get around the coolant reservoir and DEM's. that are covering the plugs.

aajonas · 11-08-2023, 04:22 PM

It can be done, but.... Took me 8 hours. Don't think I would ever do it again. Find someone to do it for you if at all possible.

oldtexasdog · 11-09-2023, 04:32 PM

Well I priced a local shop that specializes in German and it looks like around 800.00 labor and plugs, for them a 2 hour job quote.

Fair???

WretchedRefuse · 11-13-2023, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtexasdog

Well I priced a local shop that specializes in German and it looks like around 800.00 labor and plugs, for them a 2 hour job quote.

Fair???

I guess if it's worth $800 to save 8 hours of your time, then yes it's fair. I was planning to do it myself the first time since there are other operations that require the removal of that coolant tank, e.g. downpipes, injectors, turbos, etc. It will be a PITA but a valuable learning experience.

oldtexasdog · 11-14-2023, 12:18 PM

A definite consideration.

Mach550 · 11-16-2023, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aajonas

It can be done, but.... Took me 8 hours. Don't think I would ever do it again. Find someone to do it for you if at all possible.

Did you stop for a couple hours to get lunch? I was taking my time getting photos of the plugs while I was doing mine and it wasn't longer than a couple hours with breaks. I have the process uploaded here.

WretchedRefuse · 11-16-2023, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach550

Did you stop for a couple hours to get lunch? I was taking my time getting photos of the plugs while I was doing mine and it wasn't longer than a couple hours with breaks. I have the process uploaded here.

That's on the N63T2 engine which doesn't require removing the coolant tank.

Mach550 · 11-16-2023, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

That's on the N63T2 engine which doesn't require removing the coolant tank.

wow, now I understand, guessing you need to pressurize the system too when refilling? I almost wanted to go with one of these newer G30's but now I'm glad I didn't.

oldtexasdog · 11-16-2023, 04:24 PM

Yep there you go. Thanks!!
Iv'e got a 500 dollar quote now so just may have to think about just a BM3 tune?'

WretchedRefuse · 11-17-2023, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach550

wow, now I understand, guessing you need to pressurize the system too when refilling? I almost wanted to go with one of these newer G30's but now I'm glad I didn't.

The whole idea is to avoid re-filling the system. If you properly clamp the lines, in theory you can just drain and re-fill the tank and the rest of the system should be unaffected. Of course the key words are "in theory."

admranger · 11-24-2023, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

The whole idea is to avoid re-filling the system. If you properly clamp the lines, in theory you can just drain and re-fill the tank and the rest of the system should be unaffected. Of course the key words are "in theory."

I want to move to theory, everything works there.

11-01-2023, 05:27 PM	#1
oldtexasdog Private First Class 64 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2020 M550I X Drive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Changing plugs on a 2022 G30 N63 M550 Folks I need a little help/advice here please. I am 70+ and have a good knowledge of mechanics and I am good with tools which I have a LOT of I have changed plugs all my life-some harder ones were the upside down ones on the old Cadillac Northstar engines and the 3.6 2008 Mustang which had a rear one that was notorious for freezing up. But now I am intimated by my BMW and embarrassed to have to ask this question but I have after 2 days got my ego under control so here it goes.... How the hell do I change the plugs??? I have been all over u-tube and google and there are a lot of video's on the 2019 N63 with the air box's back by the firewall but my 2020 M550i has them up front which would be a hurray! Right? No alas there is a radiator coolant reservoir siting on the drivers side right over I believe numbers 1 and two plug's at least. What is involved with this process and is there anywhere with visual or written instructions or do I just donate my next SOC check to a dealership to change them? I need-oh hell- want to tune and need to replace the plugs with some gaped at 0.023. Thank all
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11-02-2023, 01:34 AM	#2
jagyro Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	They are a pain from what ive seen. Best bet id say is find a non dealership shop to change them. I have a bmw shop i always goto and trust that does all my work. same engine basically. Our engine is a N63B44T3 or n63 short
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11-02-2023, 08:43 AM	#3
oldtexasdog Private First Class 64 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2020 M550I X Drive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks jagyro Yep I saw that one. Again it's not the taking the plugs out and putting them in it's how to get around the coolant reservoir and DEM's. that are covering the plugs. Last edited by oldtexasdog; 11-02-2023 at 08:58 AM..
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11-08-2023, 04:22 PM	#4
aajonas Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M550 Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Nightmare It can be done, but.... Took me 8 hours. Don't think I would ever do it again. Find someone to do it for you if at all possible.
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11-09-2023, 04:32 PM	#5
oldtexasdog Private First Class 64 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2020 M550I X Drive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Well I priced a local shop that specializes in German and it looks like around 800.00 labor and plugs, for them a 2 hour job quote. Fair???
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11-14-2023, 12:18 PM	#7
oldtexasdog Private First Class 64 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2020 M550I X Drive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	A definite consideration.
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11-16-2023, 04:24 PM	#11
oldtexasdog Private First Class 64 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2020 M550I X Drive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Yep there you go. Thanks!! Iv'e got a 500 dollar quote now so just may have to think about just a BM3 tune?'
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