August 22, 2023

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Ignition Coil Replacement – BMW N20 Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine

This repair procedure gives step by step instructions on installing new ignition coils in the BMW N20 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. We recommend the ignition coils be replaced in the N20 engine every 60,000 to keep it running at peak performance. Please click on the button below to see all BMW models that this repair applies to.

Not sure which engine you have in your BMW? Use our engine finder tool to easily identify it!

Possible Symptoms: Rough idle, lack of power, engine stalls

This repair can be used on the following BMW models:

2009

X1 20i SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV,

2010

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV,

2011

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 320Li Sedan, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Sedan, 328Li Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Sedan, 328iX Touring, 520Li Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 28i Roadster,

2012

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Coupe, 228i Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 328Li Sedan, 328i Gran Turismo, 328i Sedan, 328i Touring, 328iX Sedan, 328iX Touring, 428i Coupe, 428iX Coupe, 520Li Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528i Gran Turismo, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, X1 16i SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, Z4 18i Roadster, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 28i Roadster,

2013

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Coupe, 228i Coupe, 228iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 328Li Sedan, 328LiX Sedan, 328i Gran Turismo, 328i Sedan, 328iX Gran Turismo, 328iX Sedan, 328iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428i Coupe, 428i Gran Coupe, 428iX Convertible, 428iX Coupe, 428iX Gran Coupe, 520Li Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 528LiX Sedan, 528i Gran Turismo, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, 530Le Sedan, X1 16i SUV, X1 18i SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X3 18i SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28i SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 28iX SAC, X5 40eX SUV, Z4 18i Roadster, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 28i Roadster,

2014

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 228i Convertible, 228i Coupe, 228iX Convertible, 228iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 328Li Sedan, 328LiX Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Gran Turismo, 328iX Sedan, 328iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428i Coupe, 428i Gran Coupe, 428iX Convertible, 428iX Coupe, 428iX Gran Coupe, 520Li Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 528LiX Sedan, 528i Gran Turismo, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, 530Le Sedan, X1 16i SUV, X1 18i SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X3 18i SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28i SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 28iX SAC, X5 28iX SUV, X5 40eX SUV, X6 28iX SAC, Z4 18i Roadster, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 28i Roadster,

2015

2016

125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 228i Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 328Li Sedan, 328LiX Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 428i Coupe, 520Li Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 528LiX Sedan, 528i Gran Turismo, 528i Sedan, 528i Touring, 528iX Sedan, 528iX Touring, 530Le Sedan, X3 18i SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28i SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 28iX SAC, X5 28iX SUV, X5 40eX SUV, X6 28iX SAC, Z4 18i Roadster, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 28i Roadster,

2017

320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, 520Li Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528i Gran Turismo, 528i Touring, 528iX Touring, X3 18i SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 28i SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 28iX SAC, X5 28iX SUV, X5 40eX SUV, X6 28iX SAC,

2018

320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, X4 20iX SAC, X4 28iX SAC, X5 28iX SUV, X5 40eX SUV, X6 28iX SAC,

2019

X6 28iX SAC,

Advanced level repair.

Step 1 - Purchase Parts

You will need the following parts and supplies to perform this repair.

Ignition Coil

Some say that using Genuine BMW coils is a waste of money...we say your wrong. The BMW Repair Guide has installed hundreds of coils and one thing holds true - when it comes to engine electronics, the performance of Genuine BMW factory parts far exceeds that of aftermarket brands. In other words, you get what you pay for. These are the same factory ignition coils that would be installed at the BMW dealership.

Step 2 - Repair Procedure

Unless otherwise noted, all vehicle repair step images in this article are copyrighted, and used courtesy of BMW of North America, Inc. .

1. Remove the acoustic engine cover

Ignition Coil Replacement – BMW N20 Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine

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- Remove the two vacuum hoses (1) and (2).

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- Lift the acoustic engine cover from the front until it releases from its rubber grommets.

- Pull the acoustic cover forward until it releases from its rear mounts.

View part diagram for this step

Pro Tip

Never use any type of lubricant like dielectric grease when installing new coils. Contrary to what many auto parts stores will tell you, dielectric grease can cause the coils to slip off of the spark plugs creating rough idling and misfires.

2. Remove the ignition coil

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- Unlock the plastic fastener and unplug the coil.

- Grasp the ignition coil and pull it free from the spark plug.

View part diagram for this step

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- Before installing new ignition coils, blow out the spark plug tubes with compressed air to remove any dirt or debris..

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- Slide a new ignition coil 12138616153 on the spark plug. Use the palm of your hand to make sure it is firmly seated on the spark plug.

- Plug the electrical connection back into the coil and lock it with the plastic fastener.

View part diagram for this step

Click to enlarge image

- Insert the acoustic engine cover into the rear rubber mounts then push down the front until it locks into the front rubber grommets.

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- Reattach vacuum hoses (1) and (2).