I'm pulling the plugs for the first time on an 08 non-S Mini coupe. I discovered that the standard 5/8 spark 6-point spark plug socket just spins over the plug. I look down into the spark plug with loops and discover that it isn't a typical 6-point surface but a 12-point.

This seems odd. My question then is, what size 12-point thin-walled spark plug socket do I need - 14mm, 12mm, other? This is an oddball spark plug socket size that nobody has in stock. Is this unusual?

Thanks!
Todd

 

I believe it is a 14mm thin wall, 12 point socket. Go to Sears, Craftsman 14mm Easy-To-Read Socket, 12 pt. Deep, 3/8 in. drive, $4.99, Item# 00950671000 Mfr. Model# 50671. Maybe take a new spark plug with you to ensure it is the right one.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. The new plugs are six-point, so I'll get the socket and test in on the current plugs.

 

This is the one I got off of Amazon. I saw it listed on the Sears site as well.

 

Yup, that is the one. 12 point 14 mm spark plug socket. Just slightly easier to use with the rubber piece to hold the spark plug in place versus a deep 14mm 12 point 3/8" socket.

 

Yep, I can confirm that it is a 14mm spark plug socket

 

If you use the standard thin wall 14mm deep socket to loosen the plug until the resistance is minimal (threads are quite long) then I use a piece of hose (10mm ID, I think) to push down on the insulator to twist the plug the rest of the way out and to lift the plug out of the well. This piece of hose is also a great way to start the new plug threads because the hose will slip if you don't get the threads just right and you won't mess up the threads in the cylinder head. Once the plug is tight using the piece of hose then the final tightening can be done with the socket. The purpose of the rubber piece in the special "spark plug socket" is to hold onto the plug when lifting it out of the well. These rubber inserts (some use magnets) often don't work so well, thus the hose technique works better IMHO. This will save some $ also as the hose is significantly cheaper than the difference between the "spark plug socket" and the standard 14mm deep socket.

 

Thanks all. 14mm 12-point it is.

Next question. The plugs that Auto Zone and Napa suggest fit our 2008 non-S Mini Cooper are all the wrong size. The original plugs that came out of the car are Beru 12ZR-6SP03's. I found these online for $22 per plug. Is there a cheaper equivalent to be had?

 

I found my NGK Iridium plugs cheapest at Amazon.com of all places. Exactly the same part number as the factory plugs and significantly cheaper. For the non-S Cooper they list the following: Denso (5304) IK20 Iridium Spark Plug for $8.61 each. I know it seems weird to buy car parts from Amazon.com but I've had good luck with the parts I have purchased from them and when you buy $25 or more shipping is free and things come quickly.

 

Does anyone know if these can be rented?

 

$14 shipped from this seller on ebay. I just ordered one.

http://r.ebay.com/CYpkZY

 

Many major chain auto part stores have tool loan programs - leave a deposit and return the tool in the required time = no charge.

Do they loan one socket? I doubt it. A socket set, probably. Does it have the correct spark plug socket? You'd need to ask . . .

Hint, if you try this route I'd be pretty confident that they WOULD loan a torque wrench.

worth an ask anyway.

***
my guess is you'll end up needing to buy the socket and you can borrow a torq' wrench (p.s. you'll need an extension too, to get the socket all the way down to the plug) ... but in the long run a Harbor Freight 1/2 drive 'click type' torque wrench can be had for $25 ... often less (they are on sale every other week)
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html

 

Will the eBay item fit NGK plugs?

 

I don't know for certain, but I don't see why not as long as they are 14mm.

 

So I successfully changed the plugs today with that socket from eBay. Worked perfect. Those 12-point spark plugs are weird. At 50,000 miles the inner electrode definitely looked a bit worn down.

 

What socket did you finally get? Beru Bi- Hex Spark Plug Tool costs $40 and I couldnt open the ebay link.

 

http://myworld.ebay.com/pro-autotools/

3/8" 14mm socket.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-14mm-Spa...item3a669ab995

 

Does this have rubber insert? Is it the same as

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=5336118863-20

 

No, it has two metal spring tabs to hold the plug. Looks really different then the Amazon one.

 

You can also do it with a locking extension for your ratchet and that should hold a regular 14mm 12 point deep socket. This way you now have the locking extension for various things and not only spark plugs. You can get both the extension and socket for about $16 in Lowes.
I did mine this way. here is the video.

 

I was able to get the goofy 12 point spark plug out using a 15mm 6-point deep well socket. The 15mm fits around the 14mm 12-point snugly, and has plenty of force to remove them.

However, the fit is so snug, one of the plugs got stuck in the socket after I removed it, and I had to use pliers to get it out. Because of that danger, and because I'm not comfortable torquing the new plugs in with the wrong socket, I recommend the real 14mm 12-point socket if you're installing plugs with the 12-point nut. You don't want to get your socket stuck down there.

My dealer sold me the socket for effing $34, but I wanted it right away, because my wife needed to drive the car. Bavauto.com sells them for about $12.

 

Is it a problem to use a magnetic socket on these? I have heard that come cars don't like them (due to coild packs possibly?).

I have a Hazet 14mm 12 point I tried creating a rubber insert for, but I think I will just use the hose technique.

 

Lots of good info in this post, but it could use a summary. Here is my version.

Bottom line: I wasted a lot of time running around because I didn’t do enough research at the outset to get the right plugs and the right socket.

Summary.
· Service Interval is listed as 60K miles per the handy Bently Service Manual
· Tightening torque: 23 Nm (neuton meters +/- 3 Nm) or 17 foot-pounds (+/- 2 ft-lb).
· The factory spark plugs require a 14 mm deep socket that has 12-points of contact (not 6, not 8, but 12). This is a bit unusual, but not what BMW calls a “special tool”. You do not need the “spark plug” version of the socket, but you do need a deep one. My socket was $5 at Sears and was not a “spark plug” version. Depending on the brand of your new plugs, you may not need the special 12-point socket to install them. I also used a telescoping magnet to remove and replace the plugs in the deep holes.
· Spark Plugs. I used original BMW NGK spark plugs (Japan – ILZKBR7A-8G) from the dealer (they were not the special iridium version – too bad). After I asked for discount, they were $23 each and BMW actually had them in stock and got them right. No other shop had the NGK or Bosch spark plugs in stock and one parts place gave me the wrong plugs (massive time suck). I should have started at BMW (I know, I paid $4-5 bucks too much per plug, but it was worth it.
· Major Time Suck. I wasted 4 hours. 5 individual trips to find the plugs, buy a socket, return the wrong plugs, and 6 phone calls. The normal auto parts stores will try to sell you other brands that they have in stock – don’t be tempted – they will be the Wrong Size. Stick to the NGK or Bosch. I was taking my time and it took me less than 25 minutes to change my plugs and clean up.

Hope this saves you time because you can never get it back. Mahalo,

Key words: spark plugs, replace, 2007, mini cooper S, Sport, R56, hardtop, N14 engine.

 

you dont even need a magnet to get the spark plugs out. Gently push the coil back on to the plug and the rubber sleeve that normally grabs the insulator on the plug will grip it and you can just pull it out. Works on regular non coil on plug systems also, just plug the plug wire back on to the plug.