CHANGING 3.0d breather assembly

[X5Sport]

Quick question, where is the Oil Separator in relation to all this, and does it need changing too? If you have the new housing, is this the only bit to change by any chance?

Item 15 in the attached: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=15

With the different terminology being used, I just want to make sure I order only the bits I need, like this and a new Air Filter Assy.

[x555]

No probs trust me i tried the same thing getting to that allen bolt at the back until i read on here that someone (xman i think) had taken off the same part to get to it.And then next time it took me minutes to get to the breather etc
If your changing the breather it would be worth changing the filter while your at it as others have said.I changed both on mine and felt a noticable difference after doing so.The car felt a lot smoother and cleaner if that makes any sense

another thread here when i did mine.... viewtopic.php?f=8&t=763&p=9033&hilit=oil+breather#p9033


EDIT: I was mid posting when a strange man phoned me and waffled on for ages.......probably tring to sell me some shi@
Anyway the above was a reply to bins post

@ X5sport ... yes that is the part you only need that if you have the new assembly...Oil breather/oil seperator are the same thing afaik on a side note i have seen the same filter for sale on ebay a lot cheaper than what i paid bmw for it (wether that shows in the quality of the filter mind i don't know) i will try and find the link later......but for now i must get in the garage and take my car apart

[b11nnl]

x555 your a legend,

I take it the two 13mm bolts are on either side, one near the wash fluid and the other which holds the positive battery cable and then should slide out? I couldnt help notice small bolts further down the back which tighten upwards. I take it I dont even need to touch these?

Think my breather is nearly completely blocked as its smoking blue smoke really bad. Will chance the air filter too, oh and I will remember to put the oil cab on after the cover is off just in case I drop anything down there

[x555]

[quote=""b11nnl""]x555 your a legend,

I take it the two 13mm bolts are on either side, one near the wash fluid and the other which holds the positive battery cable and then should slide out? I couldnt help notice small bolts further down the back which tighten upwards. I take it I dont even need to touch these?

Think my breather is nearly completely blocked as its smoking blue smoke really bad. Will chance the air filter too, oh and I will remember to put the oil cab on after the cover is off just in case I drop anything down there[/quote]

Legend my arse i just like to tinker and save a few quid on labour charges if i can most of what i have done as been with the help of others on here either posting solutions or pics which i can follow.Posts like Nige's on his manifold repair ......which reminds me i need to find that post and have another butchers as it could help me once again....but thats for anoother thread.

Back to the ponit mate ...yes the two 13mm bolts either side release the whole assembly (not the battery one there's one next to it )after you have taken all the bits of the top and pulled up/released the two 'scoops' either side.You may aslo want to take of the water resevoir and rear left trim as this gives you better access but i don't think you have too mind.
As for the bolts that tighten upwards yes you don't need to touch those.....i found that out after about 2 hours trying to get them out and cursing and then reading xmans post
I'm just uploading a few pics that i took about 20 mins ago that may also help you i will post them in a few mins mate.

[x555]

Here ya go...
Here's the the two threads that the 13mm nuts are on one is circled and the other is just behind the webasto heater...


Here is the unit out with the two side scoops taken off (you will need to lift these up for the housing to come forward )


They lift either side like this...


I have also taken the circled plastic part off to the left of the engine bay to gain more access along with the water resevoir but iirc you don't need to do this for the breather.


Hope these help in some way
Here's a shot of mine as we speak ...


The parts are begining to pile up


Ohh well back to it i suppose as i have to pick the missus up at 3.30pm ....she may be walking yet

[b11nnl]

x555, pics are excellent. Going to print these off for tonight. Looks much straight forward now

Thanks for the help mate, appreciate this

[x5dom]

With a bit of patience and a 1/4" socket set using it's extensions and elbows, it is possible to get to and replace that PITA rear bolt

[b11nnl]

x555, managed to change the breather valve with your instructions. Thanks

Good news is that there is no oil coming out of the dipstick but still currently having heavy blue smoke when driving issue which there is a post on-going on.

[x555]

Glad to be of help and hope your other issue gets sorted soon

[X5Sport]

Well mine is a Dec 2004 build and is fitted with the old style even though the chassis number says it's fitted with the new style! Not happy! Need to get a new style complete unit in 15 mins as car in bits and parts going home!

All done and managed to get the updated breather. There are some differences between the pre and dacelift models. Additional bolts under the wiper motor prevent removal of a key plastic shield so getting the air filter out and in again is a serious PITA. There is obviously a trick to it, but I haven't found it. Still the jobs are done.

[x555]

[quote=""X5Sport""]Well mine is a Dec 2004 build and is fitted with the old style even though the chassis number says it's fitted with the new style! Not happy! Need to get a new style complete unit in 15 mins as car in bits and parts going home!

All done and managed to get the updated breather. There are some differences between the pre and dacelift models. Additional bolts under the wiper motor prevent removal of a key plastic shield so getting the air filter out and in again is a serious PITA. There is obviously a trick to it, but I haven't found it. Still the jobs are done.[/quote]

Glad your sorted and lucky to get the part by the sound of it ....... so has yours been changed for an older breather or was mine changed for a newer one ?
Also I know what you mean about the plastic trim as even if you can undo the screw it's damn near impossible to get the plastic cover off thats why i remove the other trim around the wiper motor aswell

[X5Sport]

Dunno. I was lucky the I discovered the 'challenge' 15 mins before Parts closed and they had the new one as a stock item. The Parts man left it at reception so I went and got it. The Deaker must have wondered when I wandered in in oily overalls though..

I couldn't believe it when I turned the one on tbe car over and found myself staring at foam rather than the all plastic version. That was a real Oh moment. I don't think it had been changed and the air filter was disgusting. So I suspect that at 47,000 miles it had never been changed either. Managed to get the rear bolt out with a 5mm allen key as I just did not have the right tools to get the two 10mm bolts out from under the wiper motor. I could get one but not the other and decided I was at serious risk of losing a tool into the back of the engine bay.

Done now and the images on this site made all the difference - and yes my back hurts and my paws are scratched

[Dan1502]

Mine's a 54 plate and under BMW warranty. Can I do this job myself then just let them know it's been done or do I need to ask them to do it and if so, what's the likely cost?

[X5Sport]

In theory they should do it as you have a Warranty. But if they don't know about it being done..............don't tell 'em

I don't know what the labour book price will be. If you only need the filter and you have the later breather, the parts will be about £58. If you need the later breather then add another £26 for the complete kit. Labour rates vary but I would allow for about 1.5 hours to do the pair. BMW may have their own methods which means they do it a lot quicker - perhaps only an hour. As they will know where everything is and what to remove then they should be quicker than us lot. It only takes a couple of minutes to actually fit the parts, the rest of the time is just getting at the b@rstard parts!! If you follow the How To's on here and you have the tools then it's very straightforward.

The only differences I found were because I have the facelifted version so the engine covers are different. I'll load pictures when I can. Mine is split at the rear making it easier to remove. One tool I would add though is a 5mm ball ended Allen key which will help with the one bolt right at the back of the engine. Getting that one bolt out took me 25 mins because I could not remove the shield under the wiper motor out - I can now . You reall do need that bit out as it blocks access for putting everything back too.

I'm dreading doing SWMBO's E46 as it seems to be just as complex - even if the parts are the same. I've got some flexible necked ratchet spanners now which will take about 30mins off the hassle for next time on the E53.

[Dan1502]

I have all the tools and might have something to assist getting that awkward bolt you speak of off. Now I need to work out which breather I have. Mine is a facelift built at some point in 2004 but I will have to check the exact date - where do I find out the build date?