Removing the cylinder head cover

WARNING: Working on 12 V electrical system.
Risk of short circuits! Risk of fire!

Make sure that there is no charger connected to the jump start terminal in the engine compartment.
Detach battery ground lead from battery.
For auxiliary batteries: Detach battery minus cables from all auxiliary batteries.

WARNING: Hot surfaces.
Risk of burning!

Perform all work only on components that have cooled down.

WARNING: Working on fuel system.
Risk of fire! Danger of explosion!

When working on the fuel system, make sure the workstation has sufficient ventilation, e.g., by means of extraction.
Tightly seal off open lines and connections; collect any leakage fuel directly at the point of exit.
No fire, sparks, open flames or smoking.

CAUTION: On releasing high pressure line, fuel may emerge at high speed.
Injury hazard!

Wear suitable personal protective equipment.
Before performing any installation work, allow cooling system to cool down to less than 40°C.
Note warnings on cylinder head cover.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Collect and dispose of emerging fluids. Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Preliminary work

Refer to BRINGING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING SUSPENSION STRUT BRACE .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING THE SEALING FOR THE HOOD REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVING WINDSHIELD PANEL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING TRAILING LINK AT SPRING BOLT .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER COWL UPPER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER FIREWALL LOWER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING CLEAN AIR PIPE CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to PARTIALLY REMOVING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVING SEALING FOR FRONT HOOD .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER FOR THE CENTER ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SPOILER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT UNDERSHIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THRUST FIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT HAND FRONT BOTTOM SIDE COVER .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINE TO THE RADIATOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR CYLINDERS 1-3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR CROSSING .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT FEED LINE PART 2 BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP AND EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT RETURNING LINE BETWEEN THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER AND THERMOSTAT .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .

Bolts of the cylinder head cover

Fig 1: Cylinder Head Cover Bolts Loosening Sequence

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to wires when disconnecting connectors and plug connections .
Sheared wires can cause a short circuit .

Do not pull on wires when disconnecting connectors and plug connections.

Unlock and disconnect the plug connection (1) on the exhaust camshaft sensor.
Unlock and loosen the locks (2) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (3) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Unlock plug connection (1) and disconnect.
Unlock and release the lock (arrows).
Feed out the wiring harness section (2) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

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Release clamps (1) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (2) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

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Unlock and disconnect plug connection (1) on the intake camshaft sensor.
Loosen clamp (2) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (3) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

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Loosen clamp (1) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (2) for the injectors and ignition coils and set aside.
Loosen clamp (3) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (4) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

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Release clamps (1) .
Loosen screws (2) .
Feed out holder (3) for differential pressure sensor and set aside.

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Loosen all the screws (21) to (1) on the cylinder head cover (A) in sequence.
Feed out cylinder head cover (A) and remove.

Fig 2: Cylinder Head Cover Screws Loosening Sequence

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.