Rehabbing 05 4.4
 

Hello, I just bought an 05 4.4. It broke down on a guy from out of town and he didn't want to pay for repairs. He listed it on Craig's list and I low balled him for $750 plus a tow. I was looking for a honda crv or Lexus rx but the x5 came up and it's so clean, I couldn't pass it up. My goal is a $2k commuter.
All I know is it has a bad oil leak that shorted out the alternator. It will start and run temporarily. My reading so far points to timing cover. I'm going to tear it apart and do everything listed in Dexteris' post https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...se-please.html
I'm looking for any tips, tricks and recommended reading.
I've bought from FCP when I owned a Volvo, any recommendations on other parts suppliers?
Thanks!

FCP Euro and ECS Tuning are my "go-to" suppliers. :thumbup:

If it is on the alternator side of engine, the most common leak point is the alternator bracket gasket. Look it up, very common. And a major pain to replace. Can be done with engine in the car, but not uncommon for some to pull the motor and make other repairs "while your there". Could be valve cover gaskets as well. Be very careful with all of the sensors and eccentric shaft motors on the N62 motors. These are very different than the M62TU's. Hope you do all of your own work, otherwise this car will bankrupt you quickly. And, I too am a glutton. Currently looking at 4 E53 in my driveway....And I agree, FCP is the way to go.

Driver's side alve cover gasket is the one that usually takes out the alternator. Ask me how I know. But timing cover is also a possibility.

Thanks everyone.! I will be doing all the work myself. I'll start ordering parts this weekend.
I've never pulled an engine before but not scared to try. If I were to pull the engine, what other parts should I replace?
Even if it's not the alternator bracket gasket now, is it a ticking time bomb?
Thanks everyone, I'll continue to do forum reading , but I'll have questions. I've never owned a BMW or a car newer than 1996!

Welcome to the forum and to the family of masochistic e53 owners!:rofl:

If you are going to the extent of pulling the motor for repairs, you could spend days and many hundreds of dollars in replacing aged and worn hoses, belts, lines, etc.

There are definitely some projects that should be done while out. Mainly valley pan and alternator bracket gasket. Not that these haven't been done in car, but you will be patting yourself on the back after reading what goes into the repair in car.

IMHO, first and foremost, do the cooling system. If you have no history on the vehicle, do the whole system.

Good luck! :thumbup:

Update and help request. I've been slowly working on this car. I did not pull the engine. I have it running and am going through codes trying to get it in top shape. I have a aux water pump code, and found the electric plug has been cut. There's not enough wire left on the plug for me to splice back in. I tried searching for a pigtail plug replacement but am coming up short. Is there a new option available or is a junk yard my best bet?
It doesn't seem to affect the heater, it's keeping up with montana winter just fine. I read it's needed to properly bleed the cooling system. Thanks for any pointers!

Yeah, it's needed to circulate coolant in the system and bleed it. Please post a detailed pic of the connector.

Pics. Hard to tell but plug is female. Number on the plug are PA66+GF.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...846ed5a0fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b573828dcc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...828c3d4204.jpg

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Welcome! Good luck with that. That's a great find.

I bought a 500 dollar m54b30 e53 back in November. It's mostly sorted now except for some cosmetic stuff.

I've only had to put 1500 bucks worth of parts in it. Tires and cooling system was the most of it.

Another place you can get quality parts from, like fcp minus lifetime warranty, for cheaper is eeuroparts.com

Also AutohausAZ.