How to know if spark plug replacement was performed

aerostar · 01-07-2019, 02:10 PM

As the title states...

Was in for my oil change and the service was done suspiciously fast (dropped it off at 10, was called at 11:45 saying to pick the car up).

Sheet says that oil and spark plugs were changed...

FriedPiston · 01-07-2019, 02:17 PM

Spark plugs are due for replacement at 30k miles. How many miles do you have on your car?

There's a lot of things that need to come off (CF brace, aluminum brace, intake box, intake boot, charge pipes) before you can get to the spark plugs, so I doubt an oil change technician would be able to do that by himself in under 2 hours.

Suds · 01-07-2019, 02:24 PM

When the dealer changed mine it took about 2-1/2 hours. Spark plugs and oil change, I also showed up without an appointment.

Poiseuille · 01-07-2019, 05:10 PM

in the past when a plug change was scheduled I made a point of requesting the removed plugs placed in the boxes the new plugs came in, with the boxes numbered according to the cylinder it came from, 1-6 (or 1-8 in the case of the M62). in order not to insult anyone, I gave a plausible reason (excuse) for requesting this: I wanted records of plug condition/color/VCG condition over time because I keep my cars beyond warranty, which is true. no SA or tech has ever resisted this or even seemed surprised. getting to OP's question (finally), I end up feeling pretty confident that the plugs were changed.
back in E36 days pulling a few plugs for inspection wasn't a big deal, but as others have said F8X is a bit more involved.
so involved that I have to think I hr 45 mins for OP's job is pretty optimistic.
fortunately for me at the dealership I currently use all the above is not really necessary, but I do it anyway because I really am interested in the color. I have complete confidence in the quality of the work I'm getting at this place.

Poiseuille · 01-07-2019, 05:17 PM

sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.

HMM · 01-07-2019, 06:12 PM

That's moving if they changed the plugs and oil that quick. Maybe it can be done but it seems like a stretch to me!

aerostar · 01-07-2019, 06:53 PM

Well, it was my 2nd oil change. I only have 18k miles.

Service record says plugs were changed, though.

Brasko · 01-07-2019, 07:54 PM

I'd check bolts/screws on the parts they would have to remove for any indication that they've been removed. If they did replace the plugs, you should see some slight wear on the head of the bolt/screw.

gatorfast · 01-07-2019, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.

What hydraulic fluid?

gatorfast · 01-07-2019, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerostar

Well, it was my 2nd oil change. I only have 18k miles.

Service record says plugs were changed, though.

That's odd. It should be done at the 3rd oil service around 30k miles.

Poiseuille · 01-07-2019, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerostar

Well, it was my 2nd oil change. I only have 18k miles.

Service record says plugs were changed, though.

so the attachment below is the BMWNA CBS schedule, SA printed this out for me. as you can see, it looks like your Dealer is making this up as he goes along. plugs get changed at 30K miles OR 36 months.
just noticed where you live. PM me with this Dealer's name, I may know something about them.

Poiseuille · 01-07-2019, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.

What hydraulic fluid?

aka brake fluid

gatorfast · 01-07-2019, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.

What hydraulic fluid?

aka brake fluid

Got ya. Thought maybe your car had a hydraulic steering retrofit

Poiseuille · 01-07-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.

What hydraulic fluid?

aka brake fluid

Got ya. Thought maybe your car had a hydraulic steering retrofit

bwahahahahaha.....
recirculating ball FTW

climax_e92 · 01-10-2019, 08:48 PM

Have the dealer or tech send you pix next time. Took mine in this morning for the 30k mile service. My car currently has 23k. Mine took about 2 hours. Tech started around 8:30AM and at 10:45AM they called to say it was ready. He did the oil change, differential, transmission, and spark plugs. All done pretty quick.

Sahbatage · 01-11-2019, 05:44 PM

I just got this done 3 days ago the dealer, plugs, oil change and brake fluid. Car has 16k miles but is almost 3 years old so they did it anyway. Watched my dash cam to make sure they took care of the car, can confirm it can be done pretty quick and those parts that come off don't take long.

overlook637 · 01-13-2019, 01:11 PM

If the tech has done this a few times then for sure it can be done.

01-07-2019, 02:10 PM	#1
aerostar Major 746 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	How to know if spark plug replacement was performed As the title states... Was in for my oil change and the service was done suspiciously fast (dropped it off at 10, was called at 11:45 saying to pick the car up). Sheet says that oil and spark plugs were changed...
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01-07-2019, 02:17 PM	#2
FriedPiston Colonel 1969 Rep 2,711 Posts Drives: Scraper Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: East Oakland, CA iTrader: (26)	Spark plugs are due for replacement at 30k miles. How many miles do you have on your car? There's a lot of things that need to come off (CF brace, aluminum brace, intake box, intake boot, charge pipes) before you can get to the spark plugs, so I doubt an oil change technician would be able to do that by himself in under 2 hours.
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01-07-2019, 02:24 PM	#3
Suds /M Enthusiast 1597 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: Responsiblish Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lone Star State iTrader: (1)	When the dealer changed mine it took about 2-1/2 hours. Spark plugs and oil change, I also showed up without an appointment.
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01-07-2019, 05:10 PM	#4
Poiseuille Brigadier General 5387 Rep 3,737 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 DCT Tanzanite/Amaro Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Princeton iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] [10.00]	in the past when a plug change was scheduled I made a point of requesting the removed plugs placed in the boxes the new plugs came in, with the boxes numbered according to the cylinder it came from, 1-6 (or 1-8 in the case of the M62). in order not to insult anyone, I gave a plausible reason (excuse) for requesting this: I wanted records of plug condition/color/VCG condition over time because I keep my cars beyond warranty, which is true. no SA or tech has ever resisted this or even seemed surprised. getting to OP's question (finally), I end up feeling pretty confident that the plugs were changed. back in E36 days pulling a few plugs for inspection wasn't a big deal, but as others have said F8X is a bit more involved. so involved that I have to think I hr 45 mins for OP's job is pretty optimistic. fortunately for me at the dealership I currently use all the above is not really necessary, but I do it anyway because I really am interested in the color. I have complete confidence in the quality of the work I'm getting at this place.
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01-07-2019, 05:17 PM	#5
Poiseuille Brigadier General 5387 Rep 3,737 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 DCT Tanzanite/Amaro Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Princeton iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] [10.00]	sorry to hog the thread but it just occurred to me that OP is probably talking about the 30K mile/36 month service. that service should have also included hydraulic fluid replacement. if that was done, than 1hr 45 is pretty suspicious. if they didn't do it OP should ask why not.
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01-07-2019, 06:12 PM	#6
HMM Private 36 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	That's moving if they changed the plugs and oil that quick. Maybe it can be done but it seems like a stretch to me!
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01-07-2019, 06:53 PM	#7
aerostar Major 746 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Well, it was my 2nd oil change. I only have 18k miles. Service record says plugs were changed, though.
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01-07-2019, 07:54 PM	#8
Brasko #LSBM3 1420 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Oregon / Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 1984 BMW R65 [0.00] 2020 Ford F-150 XLT ... [0.00] 2003 Mitsubishi Evo ... [0.00] 2016 M3 Competition ... [10.00]	I'd check bolts/screws on the parts they would have to remove for any indication that they've been removed. If they did replace the plugs, you should see some slight wear on the head of the bolt/screw. __________________ /// M3
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01-10-2019, 08:48 PM	#15
climax_e92 Lieutenant 148 Rep 563 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Los Angeles 661 iTrader: (6)	Have the dealer or tech send you pix next time. Took mine in this morning for the 30k mile service. My car currently has 23k. Mine took about 2 hours. Tech started around 8:30AM and at 10:45AM they called to say it was ready. He did the oil change, differential, transmission, and spark plugs. All done pretty quick. __________________ 16 F82 M4 Frequency Intelligent F1 Exhaust - VRSF downpipes - BBS CI-R custom finish - H&R Springs - Injen DCI intake - CG Precision Valve Controller - BootMod3 full E85 - Custom Roll Cage - Varis Diffuser - PSM GT Wing - V style Lip https://www.instagram.com/m4_teh/ Last edited by climax_e92; 01-10-2019 at 09:06 PM..
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01-11-2019, 05:44 PM	#16
Sahbatage Lieutenant 503 Rep 571 Posts Drives: 2016 IR BMW M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (1)	I just got this done 3 days ago the dealer, plugs, oil change and brake fluid. Car has 16k miles but is almost 3 years old so they did it anyway. Watched my dash cam to make sure they took care of the car, can confirm it can be done pretty quick and those parts that come off don't take long. __________________ "If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough"
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01-13-2019, 01:11 PM	#17
overlook637 Lieutenant 245 Rep 466 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	If the tech has done this a few times then for sure it can be done.
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