BenFenner's 2004 Silver SUV

[BenFenner]

Recharge air conditioning | Album

Well, the giant theater hat has been getting much more use than I'd expected for all sorts of reasons that aren't really important. So when the HVAC vents started blowing warmer on one side of the car than the other during the summer of 2020 (yes, I am that far behind posting updates) it was time to get the A/C situation looked at. The system was down to about half the correct amount of refrigerant, so it got filled up (this time with UV dye to track any future leaks). I think only one of the fill valves were in stock, so only one got replaced. I will revisit this whole situation about another year later.


Supplies:
$95.00 | A/C evacuation and recharge R-134a refrigerant (with UV dye)


Parts:
$14.81 | A/C service port valve | 64509177577


Pics:

[BenFenner]

workingonit, I know the feeling. I have two cars in the garage in various states of repair that haven't been driven much at all in a very long time. It is sad.

[BenFenner]

Determine correct wheel bolt key code | Album

The car came with wheel locks, but no key. I took pictures of the wheel locks, counted the points, then looked up pictures of locks and keys to count their points. Eventually I found that I had "Code 40" wheel locks, and was able to order the correct key. (Well, I actually ordered the 17mm version by accident when I should have ordered the 19mm version, but that doesn't really matter.)
I plan to buy four new wheel bolts to replace these silly locks with.


Tools:
$13.82 | BMW Code 40 wheel bolt key (17mm) | 36136762344 (17mm) | 36136752768 (19mm)


Pics:

[BenFenner]

Someone on Facebook asked where the factory tool [wrap] kit is on these cars, so I took them on a journey.

[BenFenner]

Perform first oil change | Album

It looks like I finally got around to the first oil change. For the record, the vehicle has 154,111 miles on it now (bought it with 152,336 miles) so I've only driven it 1,775 miles with unknown oil age.
One thing to note about these engines (M54) is that the oil filter kit does not seem to come with the small o-rings for the tip of the oil filter carrier. Seems nuts to me, but I picked one up to make sure I replaced that, not realizing I needed two. I'll get two next time.
Lastly, I found out that I'm missing a plastic push-rivet for the intake duct work. I'll order one of those soon.

Oh yah, the oil filter carrier is 36mm and gets torqued to 25 Nm. I'll get a 36mm socket for next time.
From the owner's manual, the engine oil capacity is 8.0 quarts (7.5 Liters).
And here is how to reset the oil service interval:
1999-2018 BMW X5 Oil Service Light Reset Guide (E53/E70/F15)
X5 Service Interval Light Reset E53 BMW


Parts:
$7.51 | Mann oil filter kit for BMW E53 (M54 engine) | HU 925/4x (compare to BMW 11427512300)
$2.11 | OEM BMW oil filter carrier lower o-ring (7mm × 2.5mm) | 11427549573


Supplies:
$56.26 | Amsoil 5w40 Classic European Formula Engine Oil, 1 quart (×8) | EFMQT-CA


Pics:

[Fifty150hs]

If you use Viton o rings for the oil filter carrier you'll never have to change them again.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

Perform first oil change | The engine oil capacity is ~6.5L.

More like 7.5L. The LiquiMoly kit I get from FCP is 1 5L jug and three 1L bottles. And an oil extractor is your friend, if you can find one big enough to drink it all. And oil that new filter cap o-ring! Oil it!!

[BenFenner]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

More like 7.5L. The LiquiMoly kit I get from FCP is 1 5L jug and three 1L bottles.

Got a source on that oil capacity? Everywhere I look I am seeing 6.5L. I'd love an authoritative source if you have one.

Originally Posted by Salty B.

And oil that new filter cap o-ring! Oil it!!

I did not mean to imply this is my first oil change ever. Just the first one on this car under my ownership. I've done countless oil changes, and I've always lubed the seals.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

Got a source on that oil capacity? Everywhere I look I am seeing 6.5L. I'd love an authoritative source if you have one.

I did not mean to imply this is my first oil change ever. Just the first one on this car under my ownership. I've done countless oil changes, and I've always lubed the seals.

According to the owners manual it's 7.5 liters.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

Got a source on that oil capacity? Everywhere I look I am seeing 6.5L. I'd love an authoritative source if you have one.

I did not mean to imply this is my first oil change ever. Just the first one on this car under my ownership. I've done countless oil changes, and I've always lubed the seals.

Only mentioned that because it was the first time I'd installed a cartridge-type filter and not a spin-on, and when I torqued the cap down it bulged out and leaked about $15 of fresh LiquiMoly from my garage to work. The trail is probably still there...