You don't have to take the valve cover off. Don't know about the active steering. Is the pump different than a non-active steering? Also when you remove the pump, you don't need to disconnect the lines. Just the pump from its mounting. Have some zip ties handy to tie it up so your not putting stress on the lines.

 

Im not sure Im going to take a look tomorrow I hope not, got a little confused because I was trying to get the torque for tightening the bolts for the pump once I out it back on and the TIS mentioned active steering thats all. Dont mean to be a PITA but i askd you a question about the bolts that hold the actual bracket is it just held on by the motor mount or does it have its its own bolts i cant seem to find the torque on those. I will be mounting to the block of the engine so I want to be precise as to not mess anything up. Thanks for all your help bro.

 

I can't remember, both I think.

 

I recall a couple of hex bolts forward of the motor mount that attach the bracket to the block. They're pretty accessible once the alt and pwr steering pump are out of the way. Also, once your remove the motor mount I think you'll discover another bolt beneath the mount. I don't have torque specs for them, but good luck trying to get a torque wrench in there! lol

After all of this it kind of makes you wonder what genius at BMW came up with this design. For those models without an oil cooler, this bracket and gasket is a lot like an appendix in your body...doesn't seem to have much of a function and likely will cause you problems at some point. The other question I have is why the hell would they attach the motor mount to it too?!

 

Lol, So are you saying I shouldnt torque them down just hand tighten? I dont mind doing that but I want them to be tight enough obviously so when i start her up i dont go ooh shit its leaking. Im a little heavy handed so I dont want to break anything since Ill be attaching it to the block. Can I assume you just hand tightened all bolts when putting it back together? I just want to make sure I do this right i would have to have to re-do it.

 

You'll need to do more than hand tighten. I torqued mine down with a rachet but didn't use a gorilla grip. My torque wrench was too long to get into some of those tight spots so I did it by feel. If your torque wrench fits then by all means use it. If not, just be reasonable with your ratchet and don't get heavy handed.

 

Yea I didnt mean literally. Im just trying to get it right the first time. Is RTV silicone safe to put around the gasket for extra protection?

 

I put a thin coat on the block mating surface and a little bit in the valley of the alt bracket where the gasket sits.

 

Cool... Guy at the dealer told me upper timing cover cant be done without removing valve cover. I told him im pretty sure it can. When I unscrew the 3 large bolts at the top along with the rest I dont have to lift up breaking the valve cover seal just slide the cover out for the UTC correct? Can U put rtv on that also or just leave it? Ive tried searching before asking you guys these questions.

 

Valve cover on. I put a thin layer on along with the gasket.