changing air filter E53 30d

[thedweeb]

[quote=""x555""]Great write up there dweeb all these how too's are really handy to refer to when doing jobs on the car.It's part of what makes a great forum [/quote]
Thanks x555. It all helps keep these things on the road without paying stupid prices.

[x555]

Just had another look at this nice one again dweeb .... i can't believe i didn't find this the other day...what a plonker because if i had it would have taken me half the time to do the job.
I didn't realise that with the two nuts removed you can slide out the pollen filter asembly whole i actually undid the other six 10mm bolt/screws underneath the bottom section and split the housing in two as i thought they went right through and those of you who have done this job will know what i mean when i say they are ARPITA to get too to say the least
It's the reason why i sruggled like hell to get the last bolt out of the air filter housing(because i thought sod that i'm not trying to get under there and get to them screws below )
Note to ones self....... search in how too's before oicking up spanners man them screws were a biatch to get to aswell

Ohh well when i replace the bits soon it will be a sinch to do now.

What did i say in my earlier post ..... Great write up there dweeb all these how too's are really handy to refer to when doing jobs on the car.It's part of what makes a great forum

[thedweeb]

LOL ,been there done that. I'm always interested in the" how to" section even if I have no plans on doing any work. Fills me with confidence should anything go wrong.

[X5Sport]

Given that the MY2005 has the split cover, can you change the Air Filter and the Oil Breather without removing the pollen filter housing and other hardware you had to take off, or are you still better off removing it because you still can't get at any fixings, bolts etc at the back of the engine? Just so I know what I'm up against before I start and know how much time it may take. Will get a filter and breather/separator from BMW on Friday if they have stock. I am assuming that a December 2004 build should have the later version, or do I need the lot? I won't have time to take the car to bits before 2moro as I have to attend a colleagues funeral in the afternoon , and SWMBO has gone out in it tonight. She still doesn't want to try out the X6.

[x555]

[quote=""X5Sport""]Given that the MY2005 has the split cover, can you change the Air Filter and the Oil Breather without removing the pollen filter housing and other hardware you had to take off, or are you still better off removing it because you still can't get at any fixings, bolts etc at the back of the engine? Just so I know what I'm up against before I start and know how much time it may take. Will get a filter and breather/separator from BMW on Friday if they have stock. I am assuming that a December 2004 build should have the later version, or do I need the lot? I won't have time to take the car to bits before 2moro as I have to attend a colleagues funeral in the afternoon , and SWMBO has gone out in it tonight. She still doesn't want to try out the X6.[/quote]

Your better of removing all that sh@t out of the way mate it doesn't take long and will save you the hassle/frustration of pis@ing around with them big paws that you previously mentioned
Not 100% on the type of breather as opinions vary on dates but mine is an august 2004 build and had the new type and didn't look as if it had been changed.
I would say yours would be the new one.
Ohh and BTW if you have a bad back (iirc you mentioned something in another post)then take care as there is a fair bit of leaning over the bonnet with these big lumps and quite far to reach to the rear of the engine.I should know the amount of leaning over mine the last day or so

[X5Sport]

OK. Thanks for the heads up. I'm 2metres tall and have long arms (no comments about Orangutans please ) so I may be able to do some of it from the side, or get SWMBO involved - it's her car after all

If all else fails, I'll put my back brace/support on and take it steady.

Thanks for the tips

[X5Sport]

All done but I could not get any of my tools to lock onto one of the 10mm wiper motor shield bolts to had to leave it in place which really makes this job a PITA. Will be getting some additional ratchet spanners ready for next time. SWMBO has now suggested I do the same job on her E46 330Cd MSport. Opened the bonnet and I can't see anything after Cyl4 as it's buried in lord knows what. That one can wait a few weeks!!

[X5Sport]

These pictures are for those who have the facelifted version of this vehicle. The procedures are EXACTLY the same, but things look different. Hope these help a few....

1. The facelifted engine bay.....I know it's dirty, but it's an engine!!


2. Front cover bolts for removal (Yellow) and microfilter nuts location (Red):


3. Rear cover bolts to be removed. WARNING These are NOT captive and you might lose them if you're not careful!! you don't have to remove this unless you are going to do the breather as well (recommended)


4. Air filter cover bolts to be removed including the one down the back (Yellow arrow) and the obstruction caused by the wiper motor shield which you really do need to get out of the way!!


Hope these are of help and are in addition to the write up at the start of this thread.

[storminmike]

[quote=""X5Sport""]These pictures are for those who have the facelifted version of this vehicle. The procedures are EXACTLY the same, but things look different. Hope these help a few....

1. The facelifted engine bay.....I know it's dirty, but it's an engine!!


2. Front cover bolts for removal (Yellow) and microfilter nuts location (Red):


3. Rear cover bolts to be removed. WARNING These are NOT captive and you might lose them if you're not careful!! you don't have to remove this unless you are going to do the breather as well (recommended)


4. Air filter cover bolts to be removed including the one down the back (Yellow arrow) and the obstruction caused by the wiper motor shield which you really do need to get out of the way!!


Hope these are of help and are in addition to the write up at the start of this thread.[/quote]

Crikey I have the facelifted model and I thought it would be a breeze to swap the air filter

Quick question then please...cos it's a facelift

1) Why remove microfilter nuts?

2) Air filter cover - bolts to be removed including the one down the back (Yellow arrow) does this mean there are 6 then and the wiper motor shield stops you getting at it?

[X5Sport]

The microfilter assembly covers everything of Cylinders 5&6 and the only way to get at the back of the engine is to remove the whole assembly as detailed in Thedweeb's original post - which is a non-facelifted. The pictures in my post only cover the differences so you need to follow his lead and refer to my pictures for the differences.

There is indeed one bolt down the back left and although you can get at it without removing the shield you will struggle to remove the air filter cover, and then replace both it, the filter and then refit the cover. By removing it you give yourself more room to work and can get at, remove and refit the filter. It can be done without removing the shield but you're just making work harder for yourself. I did manage to get it all changed without as I did not have the right spanner design. I have since bought a set of adjustable ended ratchet spanners which will allow me to remove everything next time around.

[storminmike]

[quote=""X5Sport""]The microfilter assembly covers everything of Cylinders 5&6 and the only way to get at the back of the engine is to remove the whole assembly as detailed in Thedweeb's original post - which is a non-facelifted. The pictures in my post only cover the differences. There is indeed one[/quote]


Thanks for that...well that's rubbish design isn't it

I take it removing the front 3 of the air filter cover (which appear to be part of a seperate panel -well it looks like it on the picture) will not be enough?

Also....there was a write up on the oil filter under there too (foam or not foam), would I be able to see a part number to read to tell if it was old or new style?

Thanks


PS....Hi by the way....nice site

[X5Sport]

If it helps, have a look at my added piccies for changing the breather/oil separator too - which is what I think you are referring to. The breather is just visible to the left end of the engine in image 4 between top left bolt as you look at it and the silver fastener catch. The engine oil filter is on the right side of the engine and is a lot easier to get at . You don't evn need to remove a cover. It's directly opposite the oil filler cap, has a black plastic top and an alloy body.

Helpfully, the oil separator/breather part number is inside the part so completely invisible!! Totally unhelpful. I don't think the old version is available any more and the part number is ref'd in the breather thread.

[storminmike]

[quote=""X5Sport""]If it helps, have a look at my added piccies for changing the breather/oil separator too - which is what I think you are referring too. The engine oil filter is on the right side of the engine and is a lot easier to get at

Helpfully, the oil separator/breather part number is inside the part so completely invisible!! [/quote]


Well what a p!ss take of a car

Yes I was (very badly) referring to the breather/oil separator. I guess then if one is commiting to taking this much stuff out the just go for the whole new separator unless one has access to another car and an accomodating dealer. Looks like a sunny weekend job to account for butter fingers etc

On the subject of the oh so helpful engine layout 1 quickie if I may....The screw cap on the right (not the water), that's the power steering top up isn't it? I haven't got the manual

I can see two in your picture....one with the lid as part of the cover (picture 2 near 2 yellow nuts) and one a bit further back lower down visible in picture 3

[X5Sport]

The one visible with the cover is indeed the PAS reservoir, the one further back with black top with a big hex head on it is the oil filter assembly.

[storminmike]

[quote=""X5Sport""]The one visible with the cover is indeed the PAS reservoir, the one further back with black top with a big hex head on it is the oil filter assembly.[/quote]

Brilliant....what a knowledgeable lot you are..the online car manual doesn't even mention checking PAS level let alone where it is (mine doesn't look very cherry red though...a bit rusty/sandy brown)

NICE Nut on the oil filter though....how thoughtfull