Change Car Glow Plugs BMW 3-Series

Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 2h30 ~250€
Temps estimé 2h30
Coût estimé ~250€
Difficulté Intermediate
Motorisations
3-Series 2005-2013 1
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)

What is the role of BMW 3-Series glow plugs?

Glow plugs are used in diesel engines to preheat the combustion chamber before starting, particularly in cold weather. Unlike petrol engines that use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, diesel engines rely on compression ignition. Modern glow plugs also remain active after starting to reduce emissions and noise during the warm-up phase.

When should you change your BMW 3-Series glow plugs?

Generally, glow plugs last between 80,000 and 160,000 km. Symptoms of failing glow plugs include: difficulty starting in cold weather, white or grey exhaust smoke on start-up, rough idle during warm-up, the glow plug warning light remaining illuminated, and increased fuel consumption.

How do I know if the BMW 3-Series glow plugs need changing?

Via the EOBD diagnostic system, faulty glow plugs will trigger fault codes (typically P0380–P0384 for glow plug circuit faults). Individual glow plug resistance can be measured with a multimeter (typically 0.5–2 ohms for a good plug).

Is it difficult to change BMW 3-Series glow plugs?

Difficulty level 3/5: intermediate. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head over time due to heat and corrosion, making removal difficult and risking breakage. Key steps: warm the engine first, apply penetrating oil, use the correct glow plug socket, unscrew carefully (do not force — a broken glow plug requires specialist extraction).

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6 générations couvertes

Génération Période Motorisations Carburant
3-Series 1975-1983 1975-1983 320 Gas (M10B20), 320i Gas (M10B18F) Gas
3-Series 1982-1995 1982-1995 316 Gas (M10B18), 318i Gas (M10B18), 318is Gas (M42B18), 325e Gas (M20B27), 325i, -ix Gas (M20B25), M3 Gas (S14B23) Gas
3-Series 1990-2000 1990-2000 318is Gas (M42B18), 318is, -LPG LPG,Gas (M44B19), 323i Gas (M52B25), 325i Gas (M50B25), 328i, -LPG LPG,Gas (M52B28) Gas, LPG
3-Series 1998-2007 1998-2007 323i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Gas (M52B25TU), 325i Gas (M56B25), 325i, -xi, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Gas (M54B25), 328i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Gas (M52B28TU), 330i, -xi, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Gas (M54B30) Gas, LPG
3-Series 2005-2013 2005-2013 325i, -Xi Gas (N53B30A), 325i, -Xi, -LPG LPG,Gas (N52B25A), 328i, -Xi Gas (N51B30A), 328i, -Xi Gas (N52B30A), 330i, -Xi Gas (N52B30A), 335d Diesel (M57D30T2), 335d Diesel (M57D30T2), 335i, -Xi Gas (N54B30A), 335i, -Xi Gas (N55B30A), 335is Gas (N54B30A) Diesel, Gas, LPG
3-Series 2011-2020 2011-2020 320i, -xDrive, -LPG LPG,Gas (N20B20B), 320i, Flex Ethanol (E100),Gas (N20B20A), 328d Diesel (N47D20C), 328i Gas (N26B20A), 328i, -xDrive Gas (N20B20A), 335i, -xDrive Gas (N55B30A) Diesel, Ethanol (E100), Gas, LPG

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