I have attached a link with the realoem parts book pictures of your oil separator/crankcase ventilation system.
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.6is Crankcase-Ventilation/oil separator
Leaks can come from the return hoses, and they can get plugged. If the valve gets plugged it can create pressure in the crankcase, which forces oil out of the weakest gasket, often a valve cover gasket. Once that happens, the gasket that leaked is toast and must be replaced. The parts book picture will give you a sense of what parts are involved; inspection should include all lines, and the separator itself. You need to find your current oil leak to make sure you are fixing the leak.
No issues with respect to alignment after removing your Dinan brace IMO.
I don't know which covers need to be removed for the V8. There should be a DIY post on here about the V8, I will take a look.
edit: Here is an article on the 3.0 engine, on a 530. Note that the V8 is different, but what you will see from these detailed pictures is that there isn't a lot of room in there, and it is a bit of a rat's nest. The job isn't complicated, it is just a pain.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ed-w-pics.html
edit: Here is a thread on the same subject. See in particular post #19, with the steps involved for a 2002 4.4.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...valve-diy.html
Hope that helps.
Jeff
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Last edited by JCL; 12-10-2011 at 03:13 AM.
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