As part of a complete tuneup procedure, you should inspect and/or replace the ignition (spark) plugs in your 1971 BMW 2000 every 12,000 miles. This will help you keep the engine running smoothly and prevent unnecessary breakdowns. The spark plugs in your 2000 model are accessible and you can replace them at home using a few common tools in about an hour. This will not only help you save on fuel consumption but also on auto repair costs.
Tools Used: Soft wire brush, Ratchet, Large ratchet extension, Spark plug socket, Penetrating oil, if necessary, Wire gapping tool, Anti-seize compound, Torque wrench
Replace Ignition Plug
Open the hood of your BMW and locate the spark plugs. You will find them by following the four spark plug wires toward the cylinder head of the engine. Each one of these wires connects to a spark plug on the cylinder head.
Grab the boot on one of the spark plug wires on the cylinder head. Twist the wire boot left and right as you carefully pull the boot off the top of the spark plug.
Wipe dust and debris from around the spark plug with a soft wire brush to keep grime from falling into the combustion chamber after removing the spark plug and prevent oil leaks from developing in the cylinder.
Unfasten the spark plug slowly using a ratchet, large ratchet extension and spark plug socket. Maintain the socket and ratchet extension straight on the plug. If the spark plug seems stuck, apply penetrating oil around the spark plug, following the instructions provided on the product's package. If you try to force loose a spark plug, you may damage the mounting threads on the aluminum cylinder head and end up with an expensive repair. Remove the spark plug.
Check the gap of the new spark plug using a wire-gapping tool. If necessary, use the bending tool that comes with the gapping tool to adjust the side electrode, with the L-shape, on the tip of the plug, to a 0.025-inch gap. Also, look for the white emission sticker on the engine compartment or your owner's manual to double check this is the correct gap for your spark plugs.
Apply a light coat of anti-seize compound to the threads of the new spark plug and install the plug using only the spark plug socket and large ratchet extension to avoid stripping the threads. Tighten the spark plug to 21 foot-pounds using a torque wrench, large ratchet extension and spark plug socket.
Connect the spark plug wire to the new spark plug, making sure the metal connector inside the wire boot snaps over the plug terminal.
Replace the rest of the spark plugs, one at a time, following Steps 2 through 7 and close the hood when finished.
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