DIY: Do It Yourself Share all your DIY experiences here. Ask how-to questions also!

More Oil Leaks! 545i 545i 545i 545i 545i

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-08-2012, 07:39 PM
  #51  
Members
 
Stephen Max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i Sport 1998 M3
Default

Just got through doing this job. Whew! That was an ordeal. And once I got the alternator bracket off, it was evident from how clean and shiny the block was around the oil port that I did not have a leaky gasket there, and the real culprit was the upper timing cover gasket. Fortunately I had all the necessary gaskets and solenoid o-rings on hand for that job as well.

One tip I would add is that the lower right bolt on the engine mount bracket (the hardest part of this entire job) is easier to get at if you unbolt the bracket from the engine mount and lift the driver side of the engine with a jack several inches.
Old 04-08-2012, 08:01 PM
  #52  
Senior Members
 
AchtungE60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,680
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
My Ride: E60 530i
Default

Originally Posted by Stephen Max
One tip I would add is that the lower right bolt on the engine mount bracket (the hardest part of this entire job) is easier to get at if you unbolt the bracket from the engine mount and lift the driver side of the engine with a jack several inches.
Didnt he do that? Or am I mistaken?

Originally Posted by healthservices
Get a short piece of 2x4 or a 4x4 and place under the drivers (US cars) side oil pan. Place a jack under this point and jack up enough to remove the motor mount.
Attachment 129540
Old 04-09-2012, 04:20 AM
  #53  
Members
 
Stephen Max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i Sport 1998 M3
Default

Originally Posted by AchtungE60
Didnt he do that? Or am I mistaken?

You're right he did, and I initially had the engine supported by the jack and lifted just enough to clear the stud on the motor mount. But I found that if you go ahead and jack the engine up a couple more inches it makes that rear lower bolt a lot more accessible. Just wanted to point that out in case it helps anybody.
Old 04-13-2012, 04:30 PM
  #54  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
healthservices's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: socal
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Default

Originally Posted by Rizbel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdQUr34voGk

Thanks Allen, great DIY
Here's a video of a 2002 745li. Same N62 engine as our 545i.I'm wondering if you can remove the bracket with the alternator still attached to
it like on the video, but this is for a 745li, and it might be different for the E60.
Of course, this is what I'm working on this very wet Friday!



More Oil Leaks!   545i 545i 545i 545i 545i-745.jpg



Yep 745!
Old 04-13-2012, 04:56 PM
  #55  
Contributors
 
Rizbel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SoCal San Diego
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 545i Sport
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Default

Wow! A real heavy-duty, water-cooled alternator.
Old 04-14-2012, 02:08 PM
  #56  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
healthservices's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: socal
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Default

OK this is definitely not as easy on a 7 series as it is on the E60, I found the need to drop the cross member to access the bolts correctly. And that alternator/bracket assembly.... friggen heavy!!!!!!
Old 04-14-2012, 05:28 PM
  #57  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
healthservices's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: socal
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Default

Just like in the movies


More Oil Leaks!   545i 545i 545i 545i 545i-out.jpg

If spark plugs on a E60 were a '5' on a scale of 1-10 this would be a '10' on the same scale to do in the driveway with a floor jack. But you can do it if you are just patient.
Old 04-19-2012, 07:12 PM
  #58  
Members
 
StasGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

How much time does this job take on an E60? Couple of hours or days?

Thanks!
Old 04-20-2012, 12:09 AM
  #59  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
healthservices's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: socal
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Default

Originally Posted by StasGS4
How much time does this job take on an E60? Couple of hours or days?

Thanks!

It really depends on your enthusiasm but I would caution on making sure you have the correct torx socket or bit firmly inserted in before removal.
Old 04-20-2012, 04:57 PM
  #60  
Members
 
StasGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, if I am ambitious can I finish in four hours?


Quick Reply: More Oil Leaks! 545i 545i 545i 545i 545i



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:55 AM.