Help needed Exhaust manifold
 

Hi all ive just come to the conclusion that my catalytic converter is rattling and on its way out
Ive been looking at how hard it is to remove the catalytic converters to replace them
Does anyone have any experience with this they can shate please


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Which X5 do you have ? It's different for 6 cyl, 8 cyl and diesel. Also is your call left or right-hand drive?

Is Essex in the UK?

Hi sorry i forgot to give the details i was stressing out
Its the E53 X5
3.0 petrol the M54 engine
And its a right hand drive
Yeah Essex is the uk
Thanks in advance


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I suggest you modify your signature to Essex, UK

You'll have to have a look, but I am not sure how RHD steering hardware interferes with exhaust manifold (if at all).

But there is pretty good room in an X5. People are often able to get the exhaust manifolds off with a variety of wobble adapters, extensions, universal adapters, etc. Attack from above and below. Be prepared to remove fender liner, etc. if needed.

Ok i will look in to changing that,
Have you taken a manifold off of one of these before?
It looks like the steering column may pose a problem it just looks really tight for space to bring it down and out past the subframe etc



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I have not taken off an exhaust on a RHD car

I have removed exhausts from several LHD X5's but pulled them with the cylinder head as part of a head gasket job...I then removed them from the head. This is not what you are talking about.

I have read reports of many people who have removed them while engine and head is in place . It is quite fiddly, but can be done as I described.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...nifold/ASfqPL8
Not sure if this link will work


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Try thIs


Remove centre silencer.
Remove reinforcement plate.
Attention!
The job item "Removing and installing bracing plate" contains important installation notes.
Protect anti-roll bar from paintwork damage.

Remove the retaining bracket and rubber mount from the anti-roll bar.
Release anti-roll bar link on the left and right from the anti-roll bar.

Note:
The oxygen sensors risk being damaged when the exhaust manifolds are removed and installed.

Remove both front oxygen sensors.

Remove cover for fuel injectors.
Note:
Do not mix up the monitoring oxygen sensor for cylinders 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 on the plug connection to the wiring harness.
Mark plug connections.
Unclip the cable from the holder. Disconnect plug connection. Unclip cable on rear side of engine from cable routing.

Remove monitoring oxygen sensors.

Note:
The rear exhaust manifold with catalytic converter is possible only after removal of the front exhaust manifold with catalytic converter.

Remove front exhaust manifold with catalytic converter.
Remove rear exhaust manifold with catalytic converter.
Installation note:
Clean sealing surfaces, replace gasket.
Coat threads with CRC copper paste.
Replace nuts.


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Thank-you the link didn’t work but i assume this is the copied version from the link.
Im a bit unsure why i would have to remove the cover for the fuel injectors though?
By the sounds of this once all the bolts are removed and everything unplugged etc it shouldn’t be too much hassle to wiggle the manifold down and out


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It’s probably 10 years since I did this job to my sons e53 I don’t remember the exact details other than it being a complete pita Those manifolds just don’t want to come out. Some of the bolts are difficult to get at and need care and lots of wd40 plus time for it to penetrate. Not a quick Saturday afternoon job. Sorry I can’t help with the injector question, I just don’t remember. Yes, that is the info from TIS.


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The connectors for the O2 sensors are under this cover?

Because the plugs for the O2 sensors are under the cover.

Thank you for clarifying that i was really confused what the injector cover had to do with taking the manifold off


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Thankyou for your help and insight
Was your sons e53 RHD or LHD
Im a bit concerned about the steering column on mine as its RHD
Do you remember if you removed the engine mount or not as I’ve seen elsewhere on the internet people saying they removed the engine mount to give more space hoping not to have to remove the engine mount in all honesty


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Car was RHD and we may have lowered the crossmember/subframe an inch for final clearance. Sorry I can’t give more precise details but it was done on the driveway with no special tools involved. Certainly don’t remember removing the engine mount


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Oh that sounds perfect your making me feel much better about attempting this job im hoping to be able to borrow my brothers garage with a 4 poster ramp if not im stuck on the driveway as-well
How long would you estimate the job would take start to finish i know you cant give exact time
Thankyou


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I think we took about 4 hour’s actually working. Not counting the previous 2 days spraying stuff with wd40 twice per day and a quick wire brush on any exposed threads we seen. You never know how much time or effort this saves you but we were relieved that none of the studs or bolts snapped on removal. Good luck, I hope it goes well for you


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Thank you i appreciate your help and answering my questions
Wd-40 is a godsend at times
Im hoping i can get it done on a weekend without any problems
And Thanks again ill keep you updated with progress just waiting for the Cats to be delivered now I’m definitely going to tackle the job myself.


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You are going to want replacements for the manifold studs and nuts.
The studs on the manifolds that go to the silencer might break. Be prepared to replace with bolts and nuts (copper won't corrode so quickly).
You might have to lower the entire rear exhaust from muffler to silencer to get clearance to get the manifolds out from below. Just ease the silencer down but leave the mufflers in place. You sort of have to anyway--the rear bumper is in the way.

I wiggled both manifolds out from below this way on an LHD car not long ago. You may need to get some manifold studs out from above and some from below.

Wear gloves, or your hands will be ground beef.

Thankyou for your advice i was allready thinking of replacing the bolts that go from cat to centre box as on other cars ive owned they dont seem to like undoing
Dreading the thought of anything breaking
Might have to ask local dealer on a price for new studs and nuts as well
I cant wait to get this done and get rid of the dreaded noise of the cat rattling



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I had the same problem with a dead cat. I decided to chuck the manifolds and use headers. Would have been done long ago but decided to add cats to the headers and therefore, complications arose.

I think I busted 2 studs, but with enough left to still get 2 nuts on them to get them out. You really want to try and get a wrench on there completely parallel to the block--off angle torque is what shears them. It's not terribly difficult, and if you take your time you should be fine. Good luck.