Removing the cylinder head gasket

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2022 BMW X7, 2021 BMW X7, 2020 BMW X7, and 2019 BMW X7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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: RISK OF DAMAGE
Engine damage due to missing motor oil .
Missing motor oil following replacement of the cylinder head or the engine can lead to damage on the valve train .

After replacing the cylinder head or the engine, do not start the engine without observing the repair notes.
It is imperative you observe the repair notes for cylinder head or engine replacement.

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 DEACTIVATING THE 48 V ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
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 REAR HOOD SEAL .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVING THE COWL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT COWL UPPER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER COWL UPPER PART .
Refer to REMOVING ACOUSTIC COVER AT REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE STRUT BRACE AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING COWL LOWER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER STRUT BRACE .
Refer to REMOVING THE TOP RIGHT AND LEFT COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING THE TENSION STRUT AT THE SHOCK TOWER ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (TENSION STRUT ON SHOCK TOWER REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING CLEAN AIR PIPE AND RESONATOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE OXYGEN SENSOR MONITOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE HOLDER OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVING HIGH PRESSURE PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE STIFFENING PLATE .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER WHEEL ARCH COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT REAR TORSION STRUT WHERE REQUIRED .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR DIFFUSER .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Refer to REMOVING CATALYTIC CONVERTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FROM THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FROM THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINE TO THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT RADIATOR .
Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINE TO THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING FAN COWL .
Refer to REMOVING CHARGE AIR LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT LINE BETWEEN THE COOLANT PUMP AND CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK .
Refer to REMOVING TANK VENT VALVE .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENUM .
Refer to BLOCKING ENGINE IN TDC FIRING POSITION .
Refer to REMOVING CHAIN TENSIONER .
Refer to RELEASING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to RELEASING VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .

Pull out and remove cylinder head gasket (1) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.