All in - pulling the 4.6 engine and trans to fix oil leaks once and for all

[romeokc10]

Excellent write-up and pics Stunt, like others I love the garage and lift! I agree with you 1000%, I have a 2002 4.6is and the oil leaks are embarrassing. I haven't had a vehicle leak oil and leave oil stains in my driveway since I bought my first car back in 1983, a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass! I like how you put the arrow in the pic pointing to the stiffener plate, BMW should come clean and call it what it really is, an oil drip pan...lol! I took mine out after I bought mine to clean it, there was about an 1/8th" mixture of oil and road sand on it, I used up a whole box of SOS pads cleaning it! I think it's totally asinine that in the 21st Century BMW can't design a vehicle (any BMW, they all leak) that won't leak oil all over your driveway! My engine looks just like yours, always wet and soaked in oil in the bottom front, let us know where the leaks are coming from. I tried but couldn't tell where it was coming from, even after several power washes with my pressure washer.

[racingbmwm3]

I was the first person at the dealership to fix the leaking rear main on the E90's magnesium block. I think the leak showed up right around 1000 miles. Apparently the rubber seal that works on an aluminium block doesn't work on a magnesium block. They had Wurth come up with a special type of RTV as well. My favorite part was all the warnings throughout the instructions, HAND TOOLS ONLY!
Yet another reason not to buy the first model year...

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

I was the first person at the dealership to fix the leaking rear main on the E90's magnesium block. I think the leak showed up right around 1000 miles. Apparently the rubber seal that works on an aluminium block doesn't work on a magnesium block. They had Wurth come up with a special type of RTV as well. My favorite part was all the warnings throughout the instructions, HAND TOOLS ONLY!
Yet another reason not to buy the first model year...

So where do the oil leaks come from on the E53 V-8 engines?

[bcredliner]

Looking forward to your progress.

What capacity is you lift? Is the concrete normal slab thickness?

[stunt]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Looking forward to your progress.

What capacity is you lift? Is the concrete normal slab thickness?

The lift is rated for 9000 lbs. There's a support brace along the top between the 2 posts and also carries the hydraulic hose to the cylinder ram on the post opposite the one with the motor on it. The steel cables to sync the 2 rams also go through it.

As for slap thickness, it is around 10", so way more than the normal 6". This was not really by choice just because the guys the poured the slap were too lazy to put down enough #57 rock to bring the bottom to within 6" of finished grade.

I have had my Chevy dually on the lift many times. It weigh about 8,200 lbs empty, being crew cab long bed. So the X5 is nothing.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by stunt

The lift is rated for 9000 lbs. There's a support brace along the top between the 2 posts and also carries the hydraulic hose to the cylinder ram on the post opposite the one with the motor on it. The steel cables to sync the 2 rams also go through it.

As for slap thickness, it is around 10", so way more than the normal 6". This was not really by choice just because the guys the poured the slap were too lazy to put down enough #57 rock to bring the bottom to within 6" of finished grade.

I have had my Chevy dually on the lift many times. It weigh about 8,200 lbs empty, being crew cab long bed. So the X5 is nothing.

Thanks for info.

[tonycajjo]

quick note from the pic i saw, i don't think you want to lay the radiator fans flat, leave them vertical to prevent any viscous fluid leaking out from them or out of position which will ruin them. (not sure if the front Electrical fan has this setup but the other definitely does.)

[stunt]

Originally Posted by tonycajjo

quick note from the pic i saw, i don't think you want to lay the radiator fans flat, leave them vertical to prevent any viscous fluid leaking out from them or out of position which will ruin them. (not sure if the front Electrical fan has this setup but the other definitely does.)

Thanks! I'll stand it up as soon as I get home tonight.

[stunt]

Just got back from Autozone where I ordered this engine support beam for when I drop the transmission:



I could have probably rigged something with a 4x4, but I think this will be much safer.

Also, the Bentley manual calls for disconnecting the fuel line at the fuel filter and putting a camp on it. Recalling how big a pain it was to pull the fuel tank shield to replace the fuel filter, I decided to skip this step. No problem at all disconnecting the fuel line at the engine. There was no residual fuel pressure when I did so. Of course the truck has been sitting for 2 weeks since the last time the ignition had been turned on, so that may have had something to do with it, but that saved a good 30 minutes of labor right there.

[stunt]

Updated list as follows:

• Timing Chain Guides: Deflection Rail 11311741777, Guide Rail 11311745406, Chain Tensioner Rail 11311741236, Chain Tensioner Rod 11317531813, O-ring 11421713597
• Upper timing case cover gaskets 11141741532, 11141741533
• Upper timing case gasket ring 11141736758
• Upper timing case O-rings 12141748398
• Lower timing case cover gasket set 11141436978
• Lower timing case Dowels (2) 11121726242
• Vanos Seals
• Intake Manifold Gasket (4) 11611433328
• Front Manifold Gasket (Intake to Manifold) 11611729727
• Rear Manifold Gasket (CCV to Manifold) 11611729728
• Rear Coolant manifold gasket (2) 11531731833
• Water Pump Rear Pipe O-rings 11531710048, 11531710055
• Valley Pan Gasket
• CCV hoses
• Oil Seperator 11151705237
• Oil Return Hose 11151438302
• Oil Return Hose 11157560068
• Vent hose 11157556837
• Vent hose 11157556838
• Replace VCGs
• Lubricate steering knuckle
• Check/Replace Engine Mounts
• Clean drain tube

Looking at realoem, I'm not sure if I should also be replacing the upper timing chain tensioners (11311435026 and 11311435027), and I'm not sure I'm seeing any Vanos "seals" per se.