XSeries-forum

[quote=""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?[/quote]

Look on the drivers side wing under the bonnet and there will be a build date there

When BMW produced the facelifted version of the E53, they also made some changes under the bonnet. The pictures below may help those with the later version as the engine cover is different.

1. Wide shot of the facelifted bay as seen when you open the bonnet:


2. Bolts to remove the front portion of the engine cover (Yellow) and the two nuts to remove to allow the removal of the micro-filter assembly (see earlier thread instructions on this)


3. View now you have removed the font engine cover


4. Once you have removed the microfilter assembly, then you can remove the rear cover bolts (Yellow) WARNING These are NOT captive so you may lose them if you're not careful!! The yellow arrow indicates where the two 10mm bolts are under the wiper motor - you will need to get these out and space is tight.


5. To get at the breather bolts (Red) you will need to remove these three (yellow) bolts that hold the wiring harness in place.


If you are going on to do the air filter (worth it as you have got this far), then you need to remove these bolts (yellow) including the one pointed to by the arrow but which is hidden and partly obstructed by the magenta area. I strongly recommend you get this piece out too as it will make life MUCH easier, and also shift the washer bottle (2 10mm plastic nuts) over a bit to give you room. I didn't need to remove the bottle and did not have the tools to get the plastic shield around the wiper motor out of the way!!


I hope these are of some use.....

Thanks, very helpful.

Thanks very much, i have been putting this off for a bit ,got to say not looking forward to doing it,but still needs must.

It isn't a difficult job to do as long as you have the right tools, patience, a supply of coffee and a little bit of confidence........and HRH doesn't keep coming out and saying "Is it done yet?". It's the first DIY I've done on the E53 and I do know there are MUCH worse jobs. At least this one is all above the car and not scrabbling about underneath it. Apart from not having the tool to get the shield off which I now am able to do, and BMW's parts system telling them and me I had the new breather when I actually had the old it all went fine. I would have tried to do the brakes as well but without a vehicle lift it's just not possible after I seriously damaged my spine two years ago and can't work on or near ground level.

Quick question - gonna do this job on Friday (weather permitting). I've ordered breather and housing as one, breather on it's own and the air filter (returning what I don't need).

Did this just in case my 04 has the old design breather on it (even though, like yourself the 'system' says mine has the new style). But if it has the old style, can the new design breather only fit on the 'old' style housing? Or do I need a new design housing to go with the new breather? Hope that's not confusing...

Oh and is 3 hours enough for this job?

The new style breather only fits the new style housing - if that's what you meant? I don't think the old breather assembly actually comes to bits. I had only ordered the new style breather and had to go and get the complete kit.

Three hours should see you done and cleared up as long as you take all the suggested bits off. I think it took me that long including a dash to BMW 8 miles away for the right parts.

Exactly what I meant - sorry my stupid logic!

You star! I should be covered then!

Watch this space!

[quote=""Sanj""]Exactly what I meant - sorry my stupid logic!

You star! I should be covered then!

Watch this space! [/quote]
Thats it then i'm turning my phone off on friday
3hrs is more than enough mate even at your pace
It's pretty straight forward just take your time and be methodical...........ohh and if you and up with any spare screws at the end toss em over your shoulder and pretend they never existed

I'm planning on doing this but just wondered... When I called my local dealer to make an enquiry about main dealer servicing costs before buying they said there is a third oil service with oil separator which is quite an expensive one. Is the oil separator they speak of the one that seems to be part of this filter assembly and if so, do they upgrade this at the same time or are they talking about something completely different?

[quote=""x555""]Thats it then i'm turning my phone off on friday
3hrs is more than enough mate even at your pace
[/quote]

Tart! Appraciate all your help! Just want to reply back with... Done!

Hopefully Friday!

Dan - think it will be the same thing but we're talking just cosmetic bits to remove here. So if you're happy to DIY, sae yourself a small packet!

[quote=""Dan1502""]I'm planning on doing this but just wondered... When I called my local dealer to make an enquiry about main dealer servicing costs before buying they said there is a third oil service with oil separator which is quite an expensive one. Is the oil separator they speak of the one that seems to be part of this filter assembly and if so, do they upgrade this at the same time or are they talking about something completely different?[/quote]

Yes this is indeed the separator. If you have the old one then they ought to IMHO change it for the later one. The separator complete upgrade part is about £50+VAT now. If you have the new separator already then only the inner part is changed (£20ish).

Ok, so my X5 was built in August 2004 and has only done 14,000 miles. I'm thinking the best thing might be to find out which service is next and if it's that one, wait to have it done and request that the updated assembly is fitted. If not I might get it sorted immediately. However would this then mean that when that service is due I should let them know it's been done and would that then make that service cheaper?

[quote=""Dan1502""]Ok, so my X5 was built in August 2004 and has only done 14,000 miles. I'm thinking the best thing might be to find out which service is next and if it's that one, wait to have it done and request that the updated assembly is fitted. If not I might get it sorted immediately. However would this then mean that when that service is due I should let them know it's been done and would that then make that service cheaper?[/quote]

What services have been done? You should at least have had 3 brake fluid changes (time based every two years) and on age alone a couple of oil changes but you may not have had anything else done.

According to the book, three brake fluid changes and two Inspection 1.