Picked up a seized engine E70 (N55)

[iansanderson]

Great write up! Good luck on the sale. It's well worth it for all of the work done.

[fixingstill]

Inspired by this thread, I have successfully removed my N55 engine out of a 2011 X5.
Most UT videos show engine lowered down from lift. Not many people take engine out from top. Thank you for showing us how BergA. Even this thread is old. It is still helping people.



Note: Fender was removed for bodywork. You don't have to.



A few things I did differently.
I used a transmission jack to support the tranny and it allows me to jack it up to the highest possible position while keeping it in straight line with the engine. You need that to pull the engine 2-3 inches before lifting it up.
No need to remove the front diff. With the engine and tranny lifted up, front diff will clear the steering rack.
No need to drop / lower the subframe.
I removed the AC condenser. It is just too much in the way.
I loosened the crank bolt while the engine was still in the car. I used a flywheel lock to hold crank in place. Much easier than after engine is out.
I used a modified prybar to pull fuel injectors. 4 of them were pulled by hand. 2 stubborn ones by the prybar. I guess I was lucky that I did not break them.



It took me one day to disassemble the engine and found the cylinder 2 has spun bearing:





Now the block and the crankshaft are in machine shop for degreasing and weld and grind.

Oh, when installing the bed plate, I plan not to use injection as BMW has changed their method..... Thanks to SimpleCarGuy's video:



Now, I am deciding how to handle the cylinder head. A lot of sludge and carbon buildup inside the intake. I am debating if I need to replace the stem seals and check the lifters. Too bad there isn't any YT videos for disassembling the valvetronic.



Oh, if u can't wait for that 6" long T60 bit from amazon, this oreily T60 socket bit plus 3/8" extension will work too.