Removing the cylinder head cover

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 DEACTIVATING VEHICLE-SPECIFIC HIGH-VOLTAGE OR LOW-VOLTAGE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .
Refer to MOVING THE HOOD TO THE SERVICE POSITION .
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 MOUNT OF HOOD SEAL ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING SUSPENSION STRUT BRACE .
Refer to REMOVING INTAKE SILENCER HOUSING .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVING THE SEAL FOR THE HOOD REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE COWL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING TRAILING LINK AT SPRING BOLT .
Refer to REMOVING THE FIREWALL UPPER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE SECOND FIREWALL AT THE BOTTOM .
Refer to REMOVING THE TOP RIGHT AND LEFT COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT AIR DUCT .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING FRONT 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 HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND RAIL FOR CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL WITH THE INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FOR CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to PARTIALLY REMOVING THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH TRIM .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SECTION OF THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE FRONT LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINE TO THE RADIATOR .
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 THE THERMOSTAT .
Refer to RELEASING THE CHARGE AIR CROSSING PARTIALLY .

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.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Release clamps (1) .
Feed out the wiring harness section (2) for the sensor system 2 and put it aside.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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.