[pinbacker]

Car Details:
stock
x-drive
manual
93,000 on it.

I just recently bought this car. It's quite a beauty. It's also my first BMW, so I'm learning quite a bit here in how to do repairs and maintenance for one, and have run into my first quandary. The car had been running well, until just the other day I noticed sudden power loss and engine stuttering. What quickly proceeded was a Drivetrain Malfunction error, which stated I could drive moderately.

I took it to the nearest auto parts store to get the code read. It showed Cylinder 5 Misfire. So, first thought and suggestion was for spark plugs to be replaced. So, I did that. I noticed some corrosion on some of the coil packs but nothing too seemingly out of the ordinary with them, (also seeing as how there was just one cylinder which showed a misfire at the start of all this).

I bought a whole new set of 6, Bosch Fine Wire Double Platinum Spark Plugs
Part #: ZR5TPP33S pre-gapped (and it’s worth mentioning, I didn't verify the gap, but should I have?), and, if so should the gap be different than what is factory preset, and be then set to what gap?
I didn't use any anti-seize like suggested, but should I have used dielectric grease?

ALL the plugs taken out were in pretty rough shape and clearly needed replacing, especially Cylinder 5's- completely black, (to note-dry, but) smelled of fuel.

I made sure to correctly seat all the coils after placing in the plugs.
Thinking this would solve everything, I started it up, and ugh same symptoms of rough idle, jittery and inconsistent engine power.
Took it back to get code read and... NOW ALL 6 Cylinders are misfiring, what in the

So, I am appealing to the forum and the experts here as to what I may need to do next. I am trying to avoid bringing it into a shop if possible, as I have enough basic knowledge, the internet, and the tools to do most all basic to intermediate repairs/servicing myself, but... this is a new car for me, and it's a BMW, (not a honda civic si, like my previous car was).
I have all new cylinder packs on order to arrive Sunday, anyone feel this could be the cause now that new plugs are in? Or something more nefarious?

Thank you all.

[IAmATeaf]

I have read before that certain types of plugs can cause issues, no idea why to be honest. Was in a garage last year where a 320i was being serviced and they replaced the plugs and the car was rough. The mechanic came back and said putting the original plugs back in and the car was fine, new plugs and rough as hell?

[bimmer456]

I would replace all spark plugs if one is misfiring. It will cost you something but will be more reasonable if you diy. You may need to replace all coil packs as well. Not sure how soon you need those but you can get them from FCP Euro for a lifetime warranty less shipping so it's helpful if you live near them.

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I would replace all spark plugs if one is misfiring. It will cost you something but will be more reasonable if you diy. You may need to replace all coil packs as well. Not sure how soon you need those but you can get them from FCP Euro for a lifetime warranty less shipping so it's helpful if you live near them.

To clarify, I did replace all the plugs, and now all cylinders are misfiring.

[OC_F32]

I had a similar issue with my n20. My problem seemed to go away when I drove the car gingerly. Anyway, I followed your same track and replaced the plugs and then the coil packs. The packs ultimately resolved the issue.

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

I have read before that certain types of plugs can cause issues, no idea why to be honest. Was in a garage last year where a 320i was being serviced and they replaced the plugs and the car was rough. The mechanic came back and said putting the original plugs back in and the car was fine, new plugs and rough as hell?

Issue being these are the OEM plugs originally from factory that I replaced with, just minus the BMW logo.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by pinbacker

Issue being these are the OEM plugs originally from factory that I replaced with, just minus the BMW logo.

Yes, looks like they are from FCP Euro, replace the coil packs as well and that should solve the problem, these things tend to go bad for some reason eventually and need to be replaced. My friend replaced the plugs and coil packs on his E60 5 series or something and it purrs like a kitten.

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Yes, looks like they are from FCP Euro, replace the coil packs as well and that should solve the problem, these things tend to go bad for some reason eventually and need to be replaced. My friend replaced the plugs and coil packs on his E60 5 series or something and it purrs like a kitten.

And I can’t for the life of me figure out, for these plugs I got, the stock gap then should be good as they are- I should verify they are set to the stated specification of course if I’m changing out all the coils? And if not, what should an ideal gap be set to for a stock motor?

[pinbacker]

I should check the gap on the old plugs to see what they ended up at. I need to take out the new plugs and see what the gap is on each and see if it varies from the stated factory preset. I need to figure out if the gap from factory is off. I am trying to avoid having to spend for the new coil packs at this point if it really isn’t them causing issues now too, if it’s just the plugs being not set correctly.

[pinbacker]

So the factory Bosch ZR5TPP33 verses the one most commonly found for OEM parts after market, there's a variance in the gap. For the non S factory installed ones the gap is .31 and for the S after market OEM the gap is set to .28 what gives?

[Krash17]

Have you tried to reset adaptations?

I had this same issue with similar codes across all cylinders after I replaced all six spark plugs and coils. Another symptom I had was that on cold starts the car's exhaust would sort of sputter and RPM's would fall low to about 700 then catch itself.
I used MHD to clear the codes and reset adaptations and that immediately corrected the problem - back to running silky smooth.

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by Krash17

I had this same issue with similar codes across all cylinders after I replaced all six spark plugs and coils. Another symptom I had was that on cold starts the car's exhaust would sort of sputter and RPM's would fall low to about 700 then catch itself.
I used MHD to clear the codes and reset adaptations and that immediately corrected the problem - back to running silky smooth.

Ah ok, I've yet to, and quiet honestly don't know how to. I've just the code reader to clear codes. How would I go about this for the N55?

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by pinbacker

Ah ok, I've yet to, and quiet honestly don't know how to. I've just the code reader to clear codes. How would I go about this for the N55?

So fuel injector 1 and 5 bad. Doing oil change, 2 plugs and those 2 injectors for $1000

[exE36M3]

OK silly idea. Intake charge pipe? 'Cause a vacuum leak would definitely cause sputtering and misfires. But would it throw AF ratios off enough to make the ECU think it's a misfire.

FWIW, I replaced my charge pipe at 55k miles. The pipe was OK, but all the stupid plastic fittings/nipples to it/around it were brittle as hell. Given all the plastic under the hood, I can't see how at over 90k that stuff wouldn't start cracking up.

[pinbacker]

Originally Posted by percychow

OK silly idea. Intake charge pipe? 'Cause a vacuum leak would definitely cause sputtering and misfires. But would it throw AF ratios off enough to make the ECU think it's a misfire.

FWIW, I replaced my charge pipe at 55k miles. The pipe was OK, but all the stupid plastic fittings/nipples to it/around it were brittle as hell. Given all the plastic under the hood, I can't see how at over 90k that stuff wouldn't start cracking up.

Originally Posted by percychow

FWIW, I replaced my charge pipe at 55k miles. The pipe was OK, but all the stupid plastic fittings/nipples to it/around it were brittle as hell. Given all the plastic under the hood, I can't see how at over 90k that stuff wouldn't start cracking up.

Eh with this, there was fuel and oil mixing where it shouldn't have been, and 5's orig spark plug was gone to hell.