DIY: Coolant Exchange Pipe / Valley Pan Replacement. e70 n62 4.8L

[gregg3gs]

...saved yourself a bunch of money I'd guess

The parts cost me about US$1100 - 1200. You could say I've saved about a US$1000 (+/- few hundred) if I did the job at an indy shop.

So much for my being proud of myself for replacing the side view mirror on the Jeep yesterday.

You are absolutely wrong mate. If you are self taught, like I am, without being able to do a side mirror, you will never be able to dig this deep (and then dig yourself out). At the end of day, this is really an easy job. There is nothing to setup and adjust, like you would with timing, all it is, is just a bunch of parts that need to be removed to get to location you have to service.

[digdesign]

Great writeup. Thanks. I hope I never need it, but bookmarked it just in case.

[BMWjason]

Nice Job. Now throw the 2.0 bar coolant cap in the trash and replace it with 1.4 bar cap from a 1 or 3 series, buy it from the dealer, not the aftermarket, the inside of the cap will be yellow, and the package should say made in Austria, it is manufactured by Behr. Do not use aftermarket cap. The rear bellhousing coolant pan will be the next leak if you fail to do this. Summertime is hard on these cooling systems and the 29 PSI of pressure. I have been running the 1.4 bar cap for 6 months in Florida with no issues.

[Xtony]

Originally Posted by BMWjason

Nice Job. Now throw the 2.0 bar coolant cap in the trash and replace it with 1.4 bar cap from a 1 or 3 series, buy it from the dealer, not the aftermarket, the inside of the cap will be yellow, and the package should say made in Austria, it is manufactured by Behr. Do not use aftermarket cap. The rear bellhousing coolant pan will be the next leak if you fail to do this. Summertime is hard on these cooling systems and the 29 PSI of pressure. I have been running the 1.4 bar cap for 6 months in Florida with no issues.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you haven't had any venting through your 1.4 bar cap, that means the pressure hasn't ever gone over that pressure and it really hasn't made a difference.

[BMWjason]

Pressure builds up in the cooling system after shutdown on hot days mostly, releases as the coolant expands. The cap also contains a vaccuum valve to where the coolant reseads when cooling down. You could say it has a 2 way valve. The cap is as important as the thermostat. I sense the 2 bar cap is more envirnmental than functional, though some will say it is for higher boiling point which is also true.... ethylene glycol is an envirnmental hazard when overflowed, this can be a risk with a lower pressure cap, I have not experienced it yet on my 4.8.

[717bimmerboym3]

Wow great write up. This showed me a lot of info on parts I need to remove to get to the altanator to remove it so I can get to the oil cooler connector seal on the block. I have a horrible oil leak right now from that connection. Thanks for all the good info.

[ryanjoe13]

Originally Posted by BMWjason

Nice Job. Now throw the 2.0 bar coolant cap in the trash and replace it with 1.4 bar cap from a 1 or 3 series, buy it from the dealer, not the aftermarket, the inside of the cap will be yellow, and the package should say made in Austria, it is manufactured by Behr. Do not use aftermarket cap. The rear bellhousing coolant pan will be the next leak if you fail to do this. Summertime is hard on these cooling systems and the 29 PSI of pressure. I have been running the 1.4 bar cap for 6 months in Florida with no issues.

Any updates from people who have switched to the 1.4 bar cap from the 2007 BMW 335i bought directly from the BMW dealership?

Considering replacing the cap on my '08 4.8i X5 now that I've had the new collapsible coolant pipe installed and the coolant flushed.

[Ron07x5]

Very good info thanks!
Fyi No brag but I am quite possibly the world's most interesting man
And one thing I do is diy to get "diy credits" with with HER.
I therefore collect info like this as It can lead to honeymoon behavior from her.
Thanks again ;-)

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by Ron07x5

I therefore collect info like this as It can lead to honeymoon behavior from her.
Thanks again ;-)

It could swing either way, you know....
As we all have learned, with DIY you can gain a huge advantage or get in a really big trouble

[Davidf]

Good job! I have to do this and other tasks on my /04 E60 (545i). Today, I am ordering from AGA: coolant pipe, secondary air port cleaning kit, and valve stem seal replacement tool kit. Also will get valve cover seals and stem seals. Total cost is about $1850. My E60 has 120k miles and all three problems showed up within the last 5k miles or so. Can't wait, ugh!