water leak E39 530d...easy DIY or not ?

[Ralf*]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DL82-EUR-01-2000-E39-BMW-530d&diagId=11_2842

Was wondering why the water consumption was greater than usual on the E39 "tractor" and when standing still (like in the queue at McD's) the temp gauge would move off the normal towards the warmer side
Initially put it down to the heat wave conditions we having

today when I got home, the temp was just starting to move off the normal (vertical) so I popped the hood to investigate and noticed lots of steam and water bubbling from item 11/12/13 on the Real Oem image, this seems to be a bitch as it is located down and under the intake manifold

was wondering if this is a weekend DIY with basic tools or are there any special skills and tools and expertease required to either change just the gasket or change the entire "Y-Piece" junction

 

[ChefDJ]

You will probably have to change the entire piece as it could have a hairline crack, and the effort is a bit much to first try the gasket and then realise it still isn't fixed. I had to replace mine but didn't do it myself so not sure of the tools required for the y-piece to come off.

The intake manifold needs to be removed and can be done with basic tools (sockets, allen keys, torx bits, not sure of what else), but be careful of the rubber gaskets on the intake manifold. There are plenty and sometimes they fall out of place when removing/replacing the intake. Ask Colin or Gordon how stressing this was when we removed the swirl flaps on my 5er.

You need to remove or loosen the EGR to get the intake out, and sensors behind the intake need to come off and what not. Refer to my swirl flap project in my thread (somewhere in here: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=40650 ) for more info on getting the intake off.

 

[Ralf*]

thanks Chef

took some searching thru your thread

from Pg 27 on your thread, there is the offending part, that is leaking now on mine

 

[ChefDJ]

Yep that's the one.

I can't even remember how much I paid for the part. Looks simple enough to replace.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Seems like a common place for them to leak... Mine shows some traces of a leak there in the past. Not anymore though, but theres some oooold dry coolant there

 

[ChefDJ]

Seems like a common place for them to leak... Mine shows some traces of a leak there in the past. Not anymore though, but theres some oooold dry coolant there

We can check when we FINALLY do your swirl flaps...

 

[RAArmstrong]

Seems like a common place for them to leak... Mine shows some traces of a leak there in the past. Not anymore though, but theres some oooold dry coolant there

We can check when we FINALLY do your swirl flaps...

I guess I should order some blanks :fencelook:

 

[ChefDJ]

You still haven't even ordered them???

Fek.

 

[Ralf*]

this REALOEM is da bomb
print
walk to Goldwagen across the street with paper in hand

no stock, but will have tomorrow afternoon
R185 for the Y-Piece and gasket toegether

 

[ChefDJ]

You going to DIY Ralf?

 

[Ralf*]

You going to DIY Ralf?

I have to....no $$$ to pay for a "real" mechanic to do it

 

[ET was here]

browsing the thread of ChefDJ, it looks like its a massive amount of work for such a small pipe, possibly beyond the home tinkerer's ability ?

 

[ChefDJ]

For a virgin DIYer, not recommended haha.

 

[Ralf*]

found an online workshop manual

http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/5_s...ing_and_installing_intake_air_manifold_(m57)/

 

[Ralf*]

so its 4 days now

since I took the plunge and lifted the intake manifold, thanks to Chef and others for detailled descriptions of their own experiences, and I replaced the Y-Connector

apart from the old pipe basically breaking up, and pieces stuck all over, the job has been completed and I am glad to report, that 4 days later now, the water level in the expansion tank hasn't moved.

I found a youtube video as well as more images on a UK forum, toegether with Chefs thread, which really aided in my expectations of the complexity of the job

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/62861-my-new-imola-red-530d-sport/

 

[ChefDJ]

Holy thread revival :clapper: