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I have had it from new, so will search for a toolkit in the boot - it may be under the carpet. Thank you
Just a bit of info that might help.....
When you remove the black plastic cover to get to the plugs, there should be a blue plastic tool located at the back of the tray. You slide it onto the top of the plug leads. Makes it easier to pull the plug leads off. If they are tight you can slide a screwdriver through the round hole to get more grip on it.
When you remove the black plastic cover to get to the plugs, there should be a blue plastic tool located at the back of the tray. You slide it onto the top of the plug leads. Makes it easier to pull the plug leads off. If they are tight you can slide a screwdriver through the round hole to get more grip on it.
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Deleted member 7804
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Thank you, that really will help
I have not had my car very long and am still getting to know it. My plugs are not on top of the engine as in the above photo but down on the left hand side (looking from the front). Is this because of a different engine my car is a 1.9. You cannot see the plugs, do the leads just pull off ,I am always wary of cross threading when fitting new ones . thanks
@PeterF I think you must have the M43 engine. Which I think is a single cam, whereas mine is the M44 and is a twin cam engine.
I sure someone will confirm this.
As far as the leads go, if they look the same as mine then they will pull off. Is there one of the blue plastic plug lead pullers in your toolkit in the boot???
With crossthreading, if you put them in by hand you should feel if the plug is going in properly. And only use a torque wrench in stages once the plugs are hand tight.
I have only owned a Z3 since last november, and my first BMW, but with all the available help on here, it is amazing how quickly you learn stuff.
If you have any questions or need help just ask on the forum, there are lots of knowledgable people that will be only too pleased to help.
I sure someone will confirm this.
As far as the leads go, if they look the same as mine then they will pull off. Is there one of the blue plastic plug lead pullers in your toolkit in the boot???
With crossthreading, if you put them in by hand you should feel if the plug is going in properly. And only use a torque wrench in stages once the plugs are hand tight.
I have only owned a Z3 since last november, and my first BMW, but with all the available help on here, it is amazing how quickly you learn stuff.
If you have any questions or need help just ask on the forum, there are lots of knowledgable people that will be only too pleased to help.
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OK thanks for that, so did the 1.9 engine come in two types i.e single cam and twin cam. What is the difference in terms of bhp and did they change from a specific year or is it a different model car?
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Deleted member 7804
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I am assuming the long straight item (far right) is the tool for the plugs.
Here's my spark plug position down the side of the engine, hopefully won't be too awkward to get to
Here's my spark plug position down the side of the engine, hopefully won't be too awkward to get to
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Model Engine Power Topspeed Year
Z3 1.8 M43 4 cylinder 115 HP 194 km/h 1995 - 1998
Z3 1.9 M43 4 cylinder 118 HP 197 km/h 2001 - 2003
Z3 1.9 M44 4 cylinder 140 HP 205 km/h 1996 - 1999
M43 is 8 valve, and M44 is 16 valve
Z3 1.8 M43 4 cylinder 115 HP 194 km/h 1995 - 1998
Z3 1.9 M43 4 cylinder 118 HP 197 km/h 2001 - 2003
Z3 1.9 M44 4 cylinder 140 HP 205 km/h 1996 - 1999
M43 is 8 valve, and M44 is 16 valve
OK thanks for that, seems strange to move to a less powerful engine on later models of Z3 , perhaps it was to fit in with other cars produced at the time.
Peter if you put the last 7 digits of your VIN into this site it should confirm your car spec. Free Online BMW VIN Decoder, lookup, check - BMWVin.com
Edit another site is this https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/LD10855/EN
A good tip I was given was use a short length of hose (washing machine fill or garden hose) around plug to screw it in - it helps with the angle and it is low force so you cannot cross-thread. Works every time for me then torque up after.
That is all back together
Thanks for all the info,most helpful
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Thin coating of copper ease anti seize grease on the plug threads helps screwing them in and ensures they come out next time you change them. Always hand screw them in to start them so you don't risk cross threading them dont overtigten them with the plug spanner and tommy bar in your tool kit, just nip them up so they are fully seated. Good tip using a length of hose over them to get them started.
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Deleted member 7804
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Thank you all so much for help with this 