New member 07 4.8

[MarcusE92]

Hello, i recently picked up an 07 4.8 i plan on doing alot of maint before i start driving this car full time. I can tell the car is leaking oil since the front of the engine at some point below the valve covers are dirty from small leaks. From what ive found the main gaskets of concern are the top timing covers L+R the valve cover gaskets the alternator gasket and the oil pan? I plan to buy all these and replace them whether or not its needed. I have also ordered the tcase service kit and level 2 trans kit from ecs. I am doing all the service myself. I dont know what else I could do as a preventitive measure I have looked on the forums and seen the coolant pipe above the engine which looks like something to order in the near future. Thanks in advance for any information provided... PS i know what ive gotten myself into its too late to run.

[Entropy]

Welcome!

In addition to the valve cover and timing chain covers, your oil thermostat housing gasket is probably leaking. They leak eventually on all N62 engines. Best to replace it while you’re in there.

Full cooling system refresh should be next on your list (WP, tstat, hoses, and I’m a big advocate of the BimmerFix coolant pipe stent kit). Also do spark plugs while you have the valve covers off.

P.S. I have an ‘07 4.8 as well (108k miles now). It has never left me stranded and has never had an unplanned repair. You just have to be OCD with preventive maintenance and fluid changes. Also consider servicing the differential fluids and p/s fluid (Pentosin CHF11S).

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by Entropy

Welcome!

In addition to the valve cover and timing chain covers, your oil thermostat housing gasket is probably leaking. They leak eventually on all N62 engines. Best to replace it while you’re in there.

+1. I just the oil thermostat gasket on my 2007 X5. The job is doable from the top side once you remove the radiator fan and alternator. It isn't as bad as it looks at first but you have to do it all blind by feel.

Only after I bought the new gasket I found that rockauto carries this gasket from MAHLE:

MAHLE B32856 Fluoroelastomer

This is listed as a fluoroelastomer (generic name for Viton).

If it is really Viton then it is likely a better gasket than stock. So it might be worth ordering that gasket. Note I also saw a thread where some places list this part number incorrectly as B32855 which is not the correct gasket for the oil cooler (missing the center divider).

I also ordered the BimmerFix stent even though my pipe had been replaced by the previous owner. Jeff at BimmerFix has been great to work with and provided me a smaller stent to match the aftermarket pipe (likely URO which is a thicker pipe with a smaller inside diameter). The kit isn't super cheap but he does a great job of supporting it and I was happy to pay the money for it. I am just doing this as preventative maintenance while I change the waterpump and pulleys. Better to add the stent now while it is apart and never worry again than have it break down later....

Pulleys...

I may have a source for genuine INA pulleys without having to buy the complete and overpriced tensioner/pulley assembly.... The X5 changed the 4.8i belt setup to be 7 rib making it unique.... This was likely done to handle the larger alternator and the large power steering pump on the adaptive drive X5s. This resulted in the replacement pulleys being way too expensive for the X5 4.8i.

The price of the AC tensioner pulley is particularly egregious at $100+ and it is actually harder to change the pulley plus bracket than just the pulley.

I have the AC pulley replacement figured out but still need to verify that my replacement main tensioner pulley is a match. The deflection pulley is available at a slightly inflated price but can be found for about $60 so it isn't really worth trying to source replacements for it unless I can offer it as a full kit.

If I am able to source the main tensioner pulley I might start selling them on ebay or through my webpage.

If I buy the pulleys in bulk I might be able to offer them for a price that makes it worth my while and still saves everyone money.

-Rich

[Bimmer360]

Welcome!

[SWO Daddy]

Pics of your new ride?

[MarcusE92]

Ignore the rear. I ordered new arnott bags but i think the compressor died yesterday.

[SWO Daddy]

Originally Posted by MarcusE92

Ignore the rear. I ordered new arnott bags but i think the compressor died yesterday.

Matte black or blue?

[Bimmer360]

Originally Posted by MarcusE92

Ignore the rear. I ordered new arnott bags but i think the compressor died yesterday.

Just changed my bags and compressor myself recently to Arnott. Good brand.

[MarcusE92]

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

Just changed my bags and compressor myself recently to Arnott. Good brand.

I knew i was going to invest into this vehicle but i did not anticipate this much to start...i literally bought it and flew to canada for work for 2 weeks came home drove it monday and leaving work the bags did not inflate and jarred my ass all the way home. Then i got called today to fly to south carolina so hopefully all my parts are in when i return

[Bimmer360]

At least you are busy in the meantime instead of anxiously awaiting for the parts to arrive. Easy and pretty straight forward job. I haven't installed my springs to lower my X but hopefully soon.

Originally Posted by MarcusE92

I knew i was going to invest into this vehicle but i did not anticipate this much to start...i literally bought it and flew to canada for work for 2 weeks came home drove it monday and leaving work the bags did not inflate and jarred my ass all the way home. Then i got called today to fly to south carolina so hopefully all my parts are in when i return