X5 M62 Valve Cover Removal Advise

rt7085 · #1 09-21-2013, 06:08 PM

Took on a valve cover gasket replacement job on my X5 M62 V8 engine today. Successfully replaced the gaskets on passenger side bank (Cyl. 1-4). When I moved on to the driver side bank, I found to my dismay that some engineer in Munich decided to tightly wrap the alternator B+ cable over the valve gasket and then route it UNDER the intake manifold to the fire wall jump point. Short of removing the intake manifold or disconnecting the cable from the alternator/starter motor, is there an easier trick to deal with this B+ cable?

Also, I have a tube coming up from below the engine right next to the B+ cable. It is unterminated. But there is nothing around to connect it to. Engine runs fine; no light. It looks like a vacuum style tube. Anybody any idea?

BTW: On earlier X5 models, the battery jump notch was on the valve cover itself (the mouning holes are still there on my engine) and it could be removed and folded away. BMW must have decided to move if for some reason. Anybody know the story?

electricalserv x5 · #2 09-21-2013, 09:36 PM

the tube is for the front diff vent tube.................................

diyanich · #3 09-21-2013, 09:56 PM

When I did my Valve covers along the Valley Pan I had that breather,but now I am at timing chain guides and VANOS and there's no breather..it's gone without a trace.I don't remember removing it and since the last time I saw it in place,my X was at the shop only once for some brake job.
Anyway,I had to retrofit something for now.
About the B+ cable,did you figure out how to move it?
It has some more slack once you remove the end from alternator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rt7085

Took on a valve cover gasket replacement job on my X5 M62 V8 engine today. Successfully replaced the gaskets on passenger side bank (Cyl. 1-4). When I moved on to the driver side bank, I found to my dismay that some engineer in Munich decided to tightly wrap the alternator B+ cable over the valve gasket and then route it UNDER the intake manifold to the fire wall jump point. Short of removing the intake manifold or disconnecting the cable from the alternator/starter motor, is there an easier trick to deal with this B+ cable?

Also, I have a tube coming up from below the engine right next to the B+ cable. It is unterminated. But there is nothing around to connect it to. Engine runs fine; no light. It looks like a vacuum style tube. Anybody any idea?

BTW: On earlier X5 models, the battery jump notch was on the valve cover itself (the mouning holes are still there on my engine) and it could be removed and folded away. BMW must have decided to move if for some reason. Anybody know the story?

rt7085 · #4 09-21-2013, 09:56 PM

I guess I simply have to disconnect it from the alternator and starter somehow. What a pain; well so be it.

About the tube: so, it is not supposed to go anywhere. Just goes up to keep liquids out? Now that I have a reference as to what it is I guess I can look it up. I could not see clearly where it was coming from without more disassembly.

diyanich · #5 09-21-2013, 10:00 PM

Yes,unlike on our Mazda CX7,which has tiny breather on top of the rear differential,that gets clogged and during the winter pushes oil through the seals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rt7085

Thank you. So, it is not supposed to go anywhere. Just goes up to keep liquids out?

rt7085 · #6 09-21-2013, 10:03 PM

How many miles until VANOS/Chain-guides? I am at a modest 170k.

diyanich · #7 09-21-2013, 10:08 PM

I am at 245k kms,but ran low on oil without knowing it.
Taking of the intake manifold I found a lot of oil inside and I suspect,that I messed up the Oil Separator hoses when reconnected it,making the opposite Crank case gases flow.
VANOS seals replaced,because anyway I had to remove the units.

rt7085 · #8 09-21-2013, 10:16 PM

I am due for an OSV replacement. I already have it. It produces a high pitch tone, very loudly when the engine is hot. Since my coolant level is very slowly decreasing, I suspect I have leaky valley pan gasket as well (as I see not other evidence of leaking hoses or gaskets). So, I am thinking that I should press on, and replace all these items in one session. A two day session that must be! That also allows me to slack the B+ cable with the intake removed and have an easy time with the driver side valve cover gaskets. These X5's all have the same issues...... pretty predictable when you read the posts.

diyanich · #9 09-21-2013, 10:41 PM

Get the rear manifold and Water Pump gaskets changed.
Inspect the O-rings in the coolant hoses,if you see a trace of rubber flakes on them,get that hose replaced.There's a tiny hose that goes from the Water Pump into the secondary thermostat close to the Transmission heat exchanger.That was leaking right away after I replaced the WATER Pump.
Valley Pan was the weakest point in the system,after it was replaced,pressure found another one.So those gaskets are a must do plus Water Pump O-rings and rear manifold O-Rings,they are the same as Water Pump ones.
I also replaced the X-rings on the Heat exchanger,they were leaking the last,and the X-rings along the secondary thermostat,some hoses.
Tomorrow I am done putting the engine together,some more hoses are replaced.So I have no old hoses left at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rt7085

I am due for an OSV replacement. I already have it. It produces a high pitch tone, very loudly when the engine is hot. Since my coolant level is very slowly decreasing, I suspect I have leaky valley pan gasket as well (as I see not other evidence of leaking hoses or gaskets). So, I am thinking that I should press on, and replace all these items in one session. A two day session that must be! That also allows me to slack the B+ cable with the intake removed and have an easy time with the driver side valve cover gaskets. These X5's all have the same issues...... pretty predictable when you read the posts.