e90 323i Spark plug mix up?

bimmere90

New member
Hi Everyone

Please can someone help me make sense of whats happening here...

I bought a 2nd hand e90 323i 2007 model, N52 engine, the car is fine no problems (so far) but I would notice some misfire/vibrating/shaking esp in the morning, and upon searching it turned out spark plugs/coil packs can cause this, now since she was (almost) due for service thought it would be a wise idea to start there.... provided my VIN, got a service kit, everything else on the kit is fine except my spark plugs!!

This is the spark plug I got from the shop:
Bosch FR7NPP332
825a8df6-14cf-4f1f-bbc5-0835513ca3d7_7012212891.jpg


This is the one that came out of the car:
NGK BKR6EQUP
ecf6a184-7986-4bf1-8e63-b16bc0e9a612_8041118467.jpg


Coil pack written: 0 221 504 464
a1b10eb8-398d-4383-b80b-348046485fa1_8415692499.jpg


Now according to realoem.com and a few other sites, the Bosch is the correct plug for this car (N52 Engine)
screenshot from 2017-09-07 12-03-55_6123554762.png




So one would think simply putting in the right plug would solve the issue, but that doesn't seem to be the case:-

1. The plug goes in only about half way, almost the same length of the wrong plug threads
2. Since the plug is not fully in, the coil pack no longer goes in fully (infact you can feel the tip of the plug touch the end of the coil pack in the shaft, but the sealing rubber never reaches where its supposed to sit and lock, making the coil loose and move around freely.

Now what could have happened? The NGK plug comes out of a e46, but what could have caused the swap, and where the coil packs also swapped? Is there a difference perhaps in length between e46 and e90 coils?

What can I do to rectify this, I guess one could refit the e46 plugs but I'm afraid that's only going to cause problems in the long run? could they have swapped my coil packs with those from an e46 (thats if their not the same length) at some point perhaps? and if not swapped/or if their same length then what could cause the plug to not go in fully?

What options do I have?

Thanks
 

husaindindar

///Member
Definitely the wrong coils and the wrong spark plugs.
Coils sit snug into the valve cover and your part number does not match up also.
 

akash

Well-known member
Based on this "The plug goes in only about half way"

The question to be asked why is the new plug only going halfway in, i dont want to jump the gun on what i suspect is the issue, so if a pic of the engine can be uploaded that would be great


The plug you pulled from the engine is for an E46

capture1_291869896.jpg
 

bimmere90

New member
Thanks everyone for the responses

Here is a pic of the engine (please don't mind the dirtiness, the valve caver gasket also needs replacing)

whatsapp image 2017-09-07 at 6.29.49 pm_2644356507.jpeg


whatsapp image 2017-09-07 at 6.29.49 pm (1)_7192108021.jpeg


This is what I mean the plug goes in half way

whatsapp image 2017-09-07 at 6.29.49 pm (2)_6027574813.jpeg


@akash are you able to make something up based on the pics

I'm OK with replacing the coils, but is there any reason for them to be swapped in the 1st place?

Thanks once again
 

akash

Well-known member
Let me pull a coil out over the weekend and take a picture for you.

The plug wear pattern does look normal

images (2)_371841606.jpg
 
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