BMW E53 4.6iS M62 COOLANT LEAKS-RELOCATING ALLEY COOLANT PIPE,BACK OF WATER PUMP

[shy7g]

Hi all CONFUSING TIMES >:(
whilst changing one of the aux. belts I've noticed that there was a coolant leak, location of leak unkown??
but as it was directly below the water pump I thought further examination was needed.
Anyway after a strip down I removed the water pump but unfortunately the smaller of the two aluminium coolant pipe/tubes that go into the rear of the water pump has come out of it's seating at the bulk head end
QUESTION
1) - Is it poss. to relocate this pipe/tube without having to strip the intake manafold? (Can anyone explain how too)
2) - No wiser from where the leak is coming from ANY IDEAS GREATLY APPRECIATED

[henrym3]

I would be surprised if you were successful in getting that pipe back in without it leaking, there are "o" ring seals on each end of both those pipes. I would certainly recommend new "o" ring seals. Could the leak not have been coming from one of those pipes, water pump gasket, valley pan, immediately under those pipes. I'm afraid my advice is to remove the inlet manifold and do the pipes, very carefully check the valley pan, any doubt, renew, and definitely if you take the inlet manifold off check the PCV and pipes. all bad news I'm afraid.

[henrym3]

Rather than a long badly explained method of removing the inlet manifold might I suggest looking on Utube as it's just so much easier to see it on video. Watch any of the E53 V8 engine vids, there all much the same.

[shy7g]

thanks henrym3, your info. was very helpful,
having looked at a few YouTube clips one of the main culprits for the coolant leak may be down to the valley pan gasket passing and/or the rear coolant pipes, so in hidesight the fact that the alley tube came out is a blessing strangely.
Having LPG fitted does make the job a little longer but I'm lucky that the car isn't used that often so there's no rush to the job in hand, just have to have a good inspection of the rear hoses, gaskets, etc etc  whilst up to my arm's in it.
Will keep you posted.
Richard

[shy7g]

Can you tell/explain to me what the "the OSV and pipe to sump." are please, are these just on the N62 engine and not on the m62 engine??
Looking at an earlier post from gavp84 and others it seems that after 12 to 14 years the leaks seem to escalate somewhat. Have had any issues with the vacuum diaphragm on the oil separator as one YouTube clips highlighted this as being a problem and the unit should be changed?

[henrym3]

The easiest way to locate the OSV is to follow the pipe coming out of the rear of the rocker cover on passengers side, this goes to the oil separator. That pipe and the one underneath it should be removed and checked if they are bunged up with a mixture of oil/water, most refer to is as mayonnaise. If they are then change them and the PCV. Back to the OSV, if you put your hand/arm to the bottom of the OSV you will feel a thin pipe attached (rubber) if its old then normally bunged up and or perished. If you follow this pipe down it is connected to a metal pipe which then goes down to the sump. From underneath you can unscrew this pipe and if you detach the other end from the OSV you can remove and ensure it's clean/ free flowing inside. The OSV is held in place by two screws and can be removed for cleaning/replacement
When you remove the inlet manifold if there is a fair amount of oil in there then all of the above should be replaced, if you do that then you should have a fair number of years/milage before you need to revisit.
The LPG makes the strip more difficult but as I'm sure you are aware, skin grows back

[henrym3]

Having reread your post, the OSV receives an oil/air mist from/via the rocker cover, as it enters the OSV it is caused to spin and working on the principle that anything is heavier than air the oil is thrown against the inside wall of the OSV it then runs down the inside to the pipe which is taking it to the sump. The now mostly clean, oil free air comes back out the OSV and makes it's way to the PCV valve for recirculation via intake manifold.
That's my take on how it works

[shy7g]

As I'm elbow deep doing the valley pan gasket I'm also going to replace the rocker box/ valve cover gaskets as I've seen some oil in there previously so
Question:
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to leave the coil packs in place when taking the rocker box (valve cover) off?

thanks
Rich

[gavp84]

[quote="shy7g"]
Can you tell/explain to me what the "the OSV and pipe to sump." are please, are these just on the N62 engine and not on the m62 engine??
Looking at an earlier post from gavp84 and others it seems that after 12 to 14 years the leaks seem to escalate somewhat. Have had any issues with the vacuum diaphragm on the oil separator as one YouTube clips highlighted this as being a problem and the unit should be changed?
[/quote]

Just thought i would update you and the problem was one of the pipes at the rear of the engine, which has now been sorted and he is purring like a kitten again 

[henrym3]

You need to take the coil packs out, you mentioned that there was some oil down in there so you'll need the packs out to do a thorough job of cleaning it out. people say you should number the coil packs and then put them back in the holes they came out of, don't know the reason or logic for this, a coil pack is a coil pack no matter what hole it's in. You seem to be getting on well.

[shy7g]

Hi All
Valley Pan Gasket Seal
Removed intake manifold and it's clear to say that the valley pan gasket seal is "slightly" (total understatement) passing, so that will have to come off, be cleaned down and have a new bead of sealant applied to it.
Q:- Is it common practice to clean down and reseal or does it have to be replaced?

Crankcase (Rocker box) cover
Firstly I've found that there are two nuts per stud on the inner hold down studs,
Q:- do both have to be removed to take case off (see image below) and are these just on the inner case?

Also although I've removed the coils and cleaned out a fare drop of oil from around the spark plugs, when taking the crankcase (rocker box) covers off would the coils and spark plugs not just come away with the cover(s) itself? OR  do the spark plugs also need to be removed before removing the cover(s)? Look around at a few utube vid's but unable to find a detailed breakdown.

your advise is greatly appreciated

[henrym3]

I resealed mine with RTV 2 years ago and it's still ok, as I'm sure you have already found once the r/h  (in your pic) screw is removed  the cover will come off. The spark plug is screwed into the cylinder head, therefore will not come off with the rocker cover as opposed to the coil packs which are secured to the rocker cover

[shy7g]

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS PART IS AVAILABLE ON IT'S OWN (BMW PART No.)?
As I've just snapped it off trying to loosen the breather hose  :wall:

[X5Sport]

Have you had a look at Realoem with your VIN as the 'Serial Number'?  That will tell you if avail and the number 

[shy7g]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Have you had a look at Realoem with your VIN as the 'Serial Number'?  That will tell you if avail and the number 
[/quote]
Typical had a look on Realoem and it lists the Oil return hose and the O-ring but the piece I'm looking for is not listed  >:(, so I'm assuming that I'll have to purchase the whole cover itself,  part no. 11617508541.