Spark Plug Cap removal

[tmfirestone]

How do you remove the sparkplug cap on the Hexhead? Do you have to have the special tool that the BMW shop uses?

[roger l]

Yes, you will need a special tool to get the plug caps out. Make sure that you buy the aluminum tool. I am going to buy the one from listed below from Marc Parnes when he gets back from vacation. I was hoping to do my valves this weekend so I bought one of the nylon pullers from my local BMW dealer for $2.50. He did not have any of the aluminum pullers. You get what you pay for. The nylon one is so weak it just springs open and comes off the cap. I could not get the cap off. I will try again tomorow morning when everything is cool. Next week I will order the aluminum tool from Marc Parnes.

http://www.marcparnes.com/BMW_Plug_Tool.htm

Roger L

[tmfirestone]

Thanks Roger. Will order one.

[roger l]

I am looking to do the valves on my R1200R. The nylon spark plug cap puller is not strong enough to pull the cap out because the "O" rings are sticking. From looking at the photos on the Marc Parnes web page it looks like if I take the head cover off the spark plug cap will come off with it. I then can push the plug cap off from the inside lube and the "O" rings. Does this make sense or is there somthing that I am missing here?

Roger L

[hjsbmw]

From looking at the photos on the Marc Parnes web page it looks like if I take the head cover off the spark plug cap will come off with it.

You may be able to wrestle them off that way, but it will put stress on the wire connector, which I don't think is a desirable thing. The resistance you feel now will not be any different. The cap sits on the plug, and that is bolted into the head, i.e. won't come off together with the valve cover.

If I didn't have the Parnes (works well) and a generic axle removal tool I'd take a look at the Promach dual tool: http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstria ... eFront.bok
It looks nicely compact, well machined, and is designed with the touring rider in mind.

[2wheels]

There is also this tool from Nippynormans/Wunderlich:

http://www.nippynormans.com/products/to ... un-8160237

Never used one but looks cool and great colour!

[roger l]

The problem with the nylon tool was it wuold spread open when you pulled on it. To solve this problem I took aome small blocks of balsa wood and pushed it in along side of the tool and the head to keep it from spreading. This worked and I was able to get the plug caps out. The valves were VERY easy to check and adjust. The hardest part was getting the motor to top dead center. At 6153 miles the intake valves were fine. The intake valves were a little loose so I adjusted them.

Roger L