Remove left 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: Vehicle may slip off the vehicle hoist if the vehicle hoist is handled incorrectly.
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

Observe safety instructions on raising the vehicle using a vehicle hoist.
For additional information see: 00... RAISING THE VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE LIFT .

CAUTION: Refrigerant circuit under high pressure.
Injury hazard!

Note and follow safety instructions on containers.
Avoid contact with refrigerant; wear safety goggles and hand protection.
For additional information see: 64 50 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING TETRAFLUORETHANE REFRIGERANT R134A and 64 50 NOTES FOR REPAIR WORK ON AIR CONDITIONING .

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to battery terminal, the safety battery terminal or the intelligent battery sensor (IBS).
Damaged battery terminals can lead to malfunctions or vehicle electrical system faults.

Detach battery terminal from battery pole. Do not pry off using a tool.

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Careless handling of tools and sharp-edged components.
Scratches, surface damage.

Protect working area.
Handle tools and components carefully.

Preliminary work

Refer to SUCTIONING THE AIR CONDITIONING .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING THE WHEEL .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SECTION OF THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT and REMOVING THE TOP RIGHT COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE FILTER HOUSING ON THE LEFT .
Refer to PARTIAL UNINSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE VENTILATION LINE OF CYLINDER BANK 2 .
Refer to REMOVING ENGINE VENTILATION LINE OF CYLINDER BANK 2 .
Refer to PARTIALLY DETACHING ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE OXYGEN SENSOR MONITOR FOR THE CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT INTAKE SILENCER BRACKET .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT UNFILTERED-AIR DUCT .
Refer to REMOVING RIGHT INTAKE SILENCER HOUSING .
Refer to PARTIAL UNINSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE VENTILATION LINE OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to REMOVING ENGINE VENTILATION LINE OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to REMOVING THE OXYGEN SENSOR MONITOR FOR THE CYLINDERS 1 TO 4 .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT INTAKE SILENCER BRACKET .
Refer to REMOVING THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK .
Refer to REMOVING THE CROSS OF THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS .
Refer to REMOVING LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR FOR THE CYLINDERS 1 TO 4 .
Refer to REMOVING LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR FOR THE CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER HEAT SHIELD .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEAR ENGINE FROM CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to REMOVING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEAR THE ENGINE AT TOPPING OF CYLINDER BANK 2 .
Refer to REMOVING OIL FILLER NECK .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT UNFILTERED-AIR DUCT .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to REMOVING COVER FOR THE DME CONTROL UNIT ON LEFT .
Refer to REMOVING THE DME CONTROL UNIT FOR CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HOLDER FOR THE DME CONTROL UNIT ON THE LEFT .
Refer to REMOVING SAFETY PRESSURE SWITCH .
Refer to DISCONNECTING REFRIGERANT LINE ON THE CONNECTING PIECE .
Refer to REMOVING THE PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE EVAPORATOR AND THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER .
Refer to REMOVING DRIVE BELT .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE WHEEL ARCH COVER AT THE BOTTOM FRONT LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FOR THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to DRAINING THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT CHARGE AIR COOLER .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT THROTTLE VALVE ASSEMBLY .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT LINE BETWEEN THE COOLANT PUMP AND HEAT EXCHANGER PARTIALLY .
Refer to REMOVING IGNITION COIL OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to REMOVING IGNITION COIL OF CYLINDER BANK 2 .
Refer to REMOVING RAIL FROM BANK 2 .
Refer to REMOVING HIGH PRESSURE RAIL AT CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to RELEASING THE COOLANT LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVING HEAT SHIELD OF THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 4 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HEAT SHIELD OF THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION OF THE CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING RIGHT HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP .
Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE WIRING HARNESS SECTION FOR THE INTEGRATED POWER SUPPLY MODULE .
Refer to REMOVING WIRING HARNESS SECTION FOR THE IGNITION SYSTEM OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
Refer to REMOVING WIRING HARNESS SECTION FOR THE IGNITION SYSTEM OF CYLINDER BANK 2 .

Remove both VANOS solenoid actuators of cylinder bank 2

Unlock and disconnect plug connections (1) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Turn VANOS solenoid actuator (1) about 50° counter-clockwise with the special tool 2 360 895 (2).
Remove VANOS solenoid actuator (1) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Turn VANOS solenoid actuator (1) about 50° counter-clockwise with the special tool 2 360 895 (2).
Remove VANOS solenoid actuator (1) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Releasing cylinder head cover of cylinders 5 to 8

Cylinder head cover: Cylinders 5 to 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

1 to screw 17

Unscrew bolts (1) to (17) .
Feed out and remove the cylinder head cover in an upward direction.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.