11 12 000 Removing And Installing, Sealing Cylinder Head Cover (S54)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW M3, 2005 BMW M3, 2004 BMW M3, 2003 BMW M3, and 2002 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

E46 Only:

Remove microfilter

Fig 1: Removing Microfilter (E46)

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E46 Only:

Open cable duct on lower section of microfilter housing and feed out cable(s).

Fig 2: Locating Cable Duct On Lower Section Of Microfilter

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E46 Only:

Release screws (1) and remove lower section of microfilter housing (2)

Fig 3: Identifying Lower Section Of Microfilter Housing (E46)

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E46 Only:

Remove expansion rivets. Remove air duct (1).

Fig 4: View Of Air Duct (E46)

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Remove hose (1) for engine vent.

Remove sealing cap (2).

Remove ignition coil cover.

Fig 5: Locating Hose For Engine Vent And Sealing Cap

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Disconnect plug connection (1) on sensor of exhaust camshaft.

NOTE: Illustration shows: US version.

Fig 6: Disconnecting Exhaust Camshaft Sensor Plug Connection

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Installation:

The cables of the oxygen sensors are clipped into mounts on the shield plate of the exhaust manifold.

CAUTION: Ensure cables are exactly routed.

CAUTION: It is very easy for the sealing ring between the cylinder head cover and the return line to drop into the engine.

Carefully release hollow screw (1) and remove sealing ring between cylinder head cover and return line.

Installation:

Replace sealing rings.

Tightening torque 25 N.m.

Detach grounding strap (2) for ignition coils from cylinder head.

Fig 7: Identifying Hollow Screw And Grounding Strap

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NOTE: The plug housings of the oxygen sensors for cylinders 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 are different.

Unclip plug housing (1) from mounting.

Disconnect plug connections of oxygen sensors.

Feed oxygen sensor cables out of cable guide and lay to one side.

Remove ignition coils. Refer to 12 13 511 REPLACING IGNITION COIL (S54) .

Lay ignition coil and oxygen sensor cables to one side.

Fig 8: Unclipping Plug Housing

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Remove cylinder head cover (1)

Fig 9: Removing Cylinder Head Cover

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Installation:

Remove sealing debris from sealing faces of cylinder head and cylinder head cover.
Apply a sealing bead of Drei Bond 1209 on left and right sides at transition between cylinder head and VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 10: Identifying Sealant Area Between Cylinder Head And VANOS Adjustment Unit
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NOTE: Illustration with engine removed.

Installation:

Apply a thin and even sealing bead of Drei Bond 1209 at transition to half-moon sections at rear of cylinder head.

Fig 11: Applying Sealant To Half-Moon Sections On Cylinder Head
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Installation:

Replace sealing rings (1).

Fig 12: Replacing Sealing Rings

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NOTE: The gasket of the cylinder head cover is secured with guide pins on the cylinder head and on the VANOS adjustment unit.

Installation:

Replace gasket of cylinder head cover. Preassemble gasket of cylinder head cover on cylinder head.

CAUTION: The guide pins may buckle very slightly during installation. Make sure that guide pins are exactly fed into bore holes.

Fig 13: Identifying Cylinder Head Cover Gasket Guide Pins

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Illustration with engine removed.

Installation:

Make sure gasket is correctly seated on rear and front ends of cylinder head.

Fig 14: View Of Cylinder Head Gasket
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CAUTION: Different rubber gaskets: Front low version.

Installation:

Replace rubber gaskets.

Install all cap nuts and align cylinder head cover.

Fit all cap nuts without pretension. Tighten down cap nuts in diagonal sequence from inside to outside.

Fig 15: Identifying Front Low Rubber Gaskets

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