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Another day in the garage, another question. I am preparing to measure my valve clearances so I thought I'd start by shooting some air down the plug holes and removing the plugs.

I purchased a thin walled, 18mm socket that I'd hoped would work in my S38 from http://www.lockitsocket.com/ - no such luck.

It seems to bottom out before the hex reaches the spark plug. It fits the new plug but it will not (seemingly) reach the bottom of the hole. The tool measures out at 22.5 mm wide at the base.

Any suggestions where I would purchase a suitable tool?

Brian

M takes a special plug wrench at least the one that comes in tthe tool kit is. The original sell for huge $$ Here are a few pictures of one. I am sure Jose will chime in. I have a new one, but look on Ebay and see what they are selling for. If interested I am not looking for that kind of money but PM me

Snap On makes a magnetic plug socket that works for this application. I use it on the S14 in my E30 M3. It's not cheap but not terribly expensive either. I don't have a part number for it.

You can search here: https://shop.snapon.com/

bpoliakoff wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:33 am M takes a special plug wrench at least the one that comes in tthe tool kit is. The original sell for huge $$ Here are a few pictures of one. I am sure Jose will chime in. I have a new one, but look on Ebay and see what they are selling for. If interested I am not looking for that kind of money but PM me

They are selling the OE tool kit ones new again, $50...

but the aftermarket one fits better...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 112225101/

18mm thin walled ....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Spa ... 1175143460

brickwhite wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:40 pm
They are selling the OE tool kit ones new again, $50...

but the aftermarket one fits better...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 112225101/

18mm thin walled ....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Spa ... 1175143460

Interesting - might check out the local Motorsports dealer for a thin/deep 18mm. Looks promising.

Problem solved! Someone slipped some NGKs in there so a 5/8" thinwalled plug socket managed the job. I was hesitant to just push the socket down there and hope it wouldn't jam so I pulled the rubber from the inside of the tool and tested the fit - relief. Plugs look OK except for some barnacles on #2... will have to keep an eye on that.

BTW, I was surprised how easily the plugs all unscrewed. If you look closely at the crush washer, as compared to the new Bosch, they barely look squeezed.

brickwhite wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:40 pm

bpoliakoff wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:33 am M takes a special plug wrench at least the one that comes in tthe tool kit is. The original sell for huge $$ Here are a few pictures of one. I am sure Jose will chime in. I have a new one, but look on Ebay and see what they are selling for. If interested I am not looking for that kind of money but PM me

They are selling the OE tool kit ones new again, $50...

but the aftermarket one fits better...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 112225101/

18mm thin walled ....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Spa ... 1175143460

brickwhite wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:40 pm

bpoliakoff wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:33 am M takes a special plug wrench at least the one that comes in tthe tool kit is. The original sell for huge $$ Here are a few pictures of one. I am sure Jose will chime in. I have a new one, but look on Ebay and see what they are selling for. If interested I am not looking for that kind of money but PM me

They are selling the OE tool kit ones new again, $50...

but the aftermarket one fits better...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 112225101/
18mm thin walled ....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Spa ... 1175143460

Not knowing that makes me feel like a true burglar for the prices I have been selling the few I had on Ebay. Gulp!!

More power to you.

If someone is willing to pay more thats what its worth.

I agree. But the Guilt I expressed lies here!! Business is business, and the greater fool theory is fine but not with friends. As PT Barnum said" There is a sucker born every minute" but there has to be some morality as to when that is put into use!

I'm with Bert. We are a community of enthusiasts, and what I like most is that we focus on helping first.

I have tried a thin walled socket that was supposed to be correct for S38, and it binds in the hole. I have one that I'll need to turn down, once I get my friggin lathe cleaned up. I highly recommend getting your hands on the OEM tool if possible.

Jose

Da_Hose wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:01 pm I highly recommend getting your hands on the OEM tool if possible.

Jose

Just ordered one. $59 shipped.

Don't be ashamed of what you charge, Bert. For years you and a very few others were the only source for those and other E24/E28-specific tools

Well, Jose still has the right idea, unfortunately a lot of you guys don't have or have access to a lathe. Those of us that do are very lucky as they are major problem solvers. A drill press is a great aid as well.

if you don't have a lathe you can get by (for jobs like this) if you have an electric drill and an angle grinder. Just mount the socket in the drill chuck (eg using a 3/8" bolt) and then spin the socket up. Bring the angle grinder wheel to bear against the spinning socket and have at it. With care (and some practice) you can do a pretty tidy job if you put your mind to it.

cheers