Oil change DIY for N62 needs an edit
 

First, thanks to TQ2K for posting the DIY for the Valvetronic :thumbup:

It says to remove the filter housing you need a 36mm 6pt. socket OR 24mm 12pt. socket.

I'm not sure why he wrote that. It's a 24 mm socket either way, correct?

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...lvetronic.html

Also, I learned that when you order the plastic cover for the filter (11427521353), it includes both the plug for it (11427518083) and the large O-ring for the outside.

Gawd, I hope that it takes a 36mm socket because that's what I've been using on my e32/e34/e38/e39 over the last couple of decades. Granted...those models oil filter reservoir was top side and doesn't have the inner 6mm drain/screw plug...but the larger "hex" appears to be the same size on these models as the X5's. Im only 2 months into e53 ownership...so haven't had the chance to check this out any further...hopefully the DIY'ers will chime in:




The diagram at bmwfans.info & maximillian importing company is drawn better and you can see that there's a connecting line for item #4 (oil filter cover) to the gasket, #5, & #6...which means that all these parts are included with item #4.

Thanks for the tip about bmwfans.info.

Unfortunately, the N62 takes a 24mm. I purchased a 36mm based on the info in the write up. [ I should have known to check when the write up said 24mmx12pt OR 36mmx12pt, but didn't :( ] The 36mmx6pt is much too big.

Well...shut the front door!:rant: Guess I'll have to add another socket to the collection. Thanks for the heads up...would have been miffed to go to do the first oil change and find out that I couldn't change the filter after draining all the oil out.

One thing to be aware of is that the small (hex#6) drain plug in the oil filter may be hard to remove. It was last time on mine. My indie mechanic decided to just remove the whole plastic filter cover rather than possibly stripping the plug insert. He thought that was better than risking the local dealer being out of stock of the replacement cover.

Also, when you remove the main drain plug, as stated in the write-up on Xoutpost, the flow of oil is very strong. When I got my 20" wheels, my indie came over to help install them and do an oil change. The oil drain pan I purchased was a combo drain and container. It couldn't keep up with the flow from the X5 and made a big mess. It was fine with our smaller vehicle. Similar to this one:

Lumax LX-1632 Black 15 Quart Drainmaster Drain Pan and Waste Oil Storage : Amazon.com : Automotive

I recommend that you clean around and inside the metal cover that protects the oil pan with some shop rags. Otherwise, you will likely have some oil dripping out of it for a few days.

Well, now I am never buying a n62. Is that an N specific thing or do the M62's have the same thing? been seriously jonesing over an e39 540 as a second car. (not that this would keep me from getting it), but being on my 3rd m5X, I like that I know whats going on....

No, this is not an M62/M62TU thing. The pic in my post above of the 36mm socket on the oil filter reservoir lid was during an oil change for my 1999 540iT. And draining the oil pan never overwhelmed my "catch" container that is fully contained (has a drain hole in the middle that the old oil runs down into...and a spout that has a screw on lid to prevent leakage until you're ready to recycle the old oil).

Now I have another tidbit to add to my mental rolodex...keep the oil filler cap (up top) screwed on to help slow down the draining of the oil from the oil pan. ;)

aww man - 99 540IT is exactly what I am looking for.

Here's the N62 V8 oil change DIY video guide I just made, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wohUA-zs3OY