I think there is no relative motion causing the need for a swivel end. That is a great part though. His only broke due to a significant impact. A forged eye will be a permanent fix.

Oil and filter change with high mileage synth oil. Pulled the filter apart and am happy to report no plastic bits therein. Of course they could all be in the bottom of the pan!

Also tried to do a fuel filter change but upon pulling the needlessly complicated protective cover over the gas tank and filter, I immediately noticed that I had been sent the wrong filter. The one I bought was twice as long and had different connectors. Not sure what it is supposed to go to, but definintely not the 2002 4.4i X5 that I put into the website. The vacuum hose rubber was completely shot but the lines and connectors looked almost new.

Got into the left front door as the window was jamming and found that both clips were barely hanging on, and the slide on one side of the regulator had come off the cable. Nothing surprises me with the pathetically poorly engineered window regulators in the X5...definitely don't live up to the usual German engineering standards. I have replaced two window regulators in my 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee in 29 years yet have thrown at least 6, and untold numbers of clips at the X5 in 20. I've got a regulator, vapor barrier and clips inbound from Pelican. Meanwhile I've got the door card under surgery as the plastic adhesive has failed in a couple spots where the clips attach the door to the card. Gorilla plastic epoxy seems to be doing the job, but we will see if it holds under stress. I'll probably upgrade the speakers in the door since I've got the panel off.

The fuel filters vary by production date. They have one for up to 03.02 and one from 04.02
I have an 07.02 4.6is and the fuel filter on mine must have the pressure regulator built into it.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/X5...5&b=11&d=10&v=

That makes sense then, thanks. I thought the size may have just changed, but the connection flanges on the ports won’t take the snap ring design connectors on my car.

The o-ring on the pressure regulator is the weak link. The few one worked on the filter was fine at 160-180,000 miles. I do Recommend changing the filter and regulator together unless you are only replacing the o-ring which is usually all that is needed.

At 199466 miles I'm getting some signs of weak FPR but I'm only going to change the hard flat o-ring before either the FPR or filter.

Keep your window guides lubricated. You will probably never have to replace a regulator. All four of mine are original. Takes twice as much force To open or close the window that is in need of lubrication. I had one of my Regulators pull off the bottom of the window before I started lubricating them regularly.

fan conversion completed, air intake fixed, mothballs added
 

Finally finished the electric fan conversion project https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ml#post1206820, and two other things as well.

I installed a "MOTOKU Air Intake Hose Tube" since mine was totally dry-rotted and held together with duct tape. I had to use my Wagner heat gun to merge the piece with the air cleaner, and also with the air intake scoop. I'm sure that the BMW OEM replacement piece would've fit better (for 2.5x the price), but having spent >$300 recently on the X5, I'm skimping where I can.

While I was running wires thru the firewall, I noticed a lot of space near the windshield for mice, rats, squirrels to nest. I discourage them by using mothballs on all my cars/trucks, so I added a bag on each side, in a perforated plastic bag. I sure don't want the wires chewed on this vehicle...I'd never be able to figure it out then.

Great feedback on the knock off air intake


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Since if I cant find an answer this post will really turn into, I just did an oil pan gasket...

Does anyone know if the full oil level on an M54 3.0L is below or above the oil pan gasket on the right side?
The pan gasket is not level to the ground like on a Ford/Chevy V8 but slanted to the right...
Its been sitting for almost 2 weeks, nose up on stands waiting for a few parts to show up and its still leaking and I am about 100% sure its not the diff now. As I thought it was the O Ring for the Axle support bearing on the right side. No there is absolutely no oil from the valve covers

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

Thanks for the info for all!! I’ll look into it this weekend


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Got the lovely alternator bracket off to replace the seal yesterday. What a treat it was to gain access to all the bolts. The seal was hard and brittle so it's no surprise my engine looked the way it did with oil covering every surface on that side.

I'll start re-assembling today. I'm also replacing the alternator, all power steering hoses and reservoir, lower oil pan gasket, inner and outer tie rods, front wheel bearings and hubs, front and rear guibo, driveshaft center support bearing, fuel filter, brake fluid, front/rear diff fluid, transfer case fluid, transmission fluid, filter, and mechatronic seals. Trying to get this thing as worry-free as I can for road trips!