BMW E46 Exhaust Removal DIY

I began my rebuild when I did a compression test and noticed I had poor compression in cylinders 2-6 (about 142 psi, the bottom of the service limit). Cylinder 1 head 160 psi. A leakdown test showed leakage into each adjacent cylinder. Of course my engine also had the oil consumption problem (1 quart every 1000 miles) that every M54 engine has, which is caused by the oil rings which wear down prematurely (the M52TU used different oil rings which did not have this problem). There was also coolant loss, which I didn't measure precisely.
To see all the videos in the #m54rebuild series: • M54 Engine Rebuild Pro...
To view all the specs and torques for BMW M54/M52TU engines: goo.gl/jLvcgR
Make sure to check out the common repair steps video if you are unfamiliar with that: • BMW 330i 325i E46 Comm...
Other videos you should watch if you are planning to change your head gasket or rebuild your engine are:
Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replace: • BMW 330i 325i E46 Oil ...
Intake Manifold Removal: • BMW 330i 325i E46 CCV ...
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@codyfield6859]

I owe you so much money from what you've saved me from going to a mechanic. Thank you sincerely.

[@ephraimcarter2386]

I guess Im randomly asking but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost my account password. I love any help you can give me.

[@DerKaktusAvant]

@@ephraimcarter2386 easiest way is to remember your password

[@everfr3shh]

Just gotta give you a major thank you for all your videos and depth of what you do. Has helped me tremendously in starting and working on my 3100lb driveway paper weight right now.

[@michael101802]

Bless you for explaining everything in detail and having a camera that record 1080p. You are a god amongst men when it comes to e46 and you have saved me money and encouraged me to keep building my e46.

[@WielkiElektronik69]

Thanks to your videos I kept my car for so long , and I still got it despite being old , you sir saved my X5 and keep it going 👍

[@Andreiam008]

Thanks again Kid , I am learning so much from you. Your fricken awesome.

[@user-tr3ox4lk8s]

Great video man ive been doing mechanic for 20 years but with videos like yours u always learn something diff👍👍👍

[@Aranrfc1]

great video, ive just changed my headers with the help of your tutorial, all was going well till i realised ur car is left hand drive and as i live in the uk i had the steering column stopping me from getting the engine mount out lol. i then rounded 1 of the e10 bolts on the sterring coupler,and ended up having to remove the whole steering rack, which i did after watching ur video on how to remove it, anyway thanks for the effort u put in to ur videos, they are a godsend to us diy mechanics.

[@Uglywut1]

Interesting as usual! I'm excited to see you get involved in such a big project. I'm also jealous to see how clean the bottom of the car is! It makes for such an easier job when you don't have to deal with rust.

[@F1FanCanuck]

Incredible videos Jason. I watch all of your videos before taking on any of the repairs on my E46 and I can’t tell you what a difference it makes! Great job!

[@zakime325is]

Hey Jason. Awesome videos. hats down. I did an engine swap along with Automatic Transmission into Manual swap as well. what I did was putting all the bolts and nuts back into their original places. I also marked each single plug and wire when I took off intake manifold. best of luck. Please keep us updated like you always do.

[@henrycoombe119]

that E46 is so clean underneath,great vid!

[@j.hood1191]

Man, I really appreciate your videos!! You share so much valuable knowledge when it comes to torque specs and so on - and I appreciate how you keep the camera at the perfect angle so that I can see!!!

[@johnsteskal]

Nice work up, thanks for doing this so others don't go into this blind.

[@2091Ted]

Thanks for making this video! It explained a lot and has been very helpful!

[@yanito85]

nice detailed video.. it didnt even feel like i was watching for 27 mins. thanks.

[@BananoMusclor]

Watch this from France, very useful ! Thanks.

[@ulfjonsson22]

Quite old video, but your stuff is still the best on how to fix these cars... Thanks!!

[@sjoerdeggenkamp4004]

I removed my manifolds today. This video is spot on! My only comment is: if you remove the aircon tubes + lambda sensors you can probally acces most nuts/bolt from the top. You must have a good selection of extentions in 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch. An 1/4 inch rachet with a fine mechanism and little backlach will be your best friend. Using an engine support beam also helps. The only real difficulty is to get your hand in places they do not want to go. To get the manifolds removed took me about ~3 hours of work. I'm a home mechanic, so I tend to go slow and steady.

[@MrGibratan]

Very good thanks for all this videos i been learning a lot

[@MichaelAMangone]

Thanks for the video. I have to remove the headers to press out the studs on the flanges that connect to the middle section. I think a table vise to secure it, c-clamp and breaker bar, and a deep well socket will let me press them out.

[@pschroeterps]

Thank you man for sharing this and huge props to you for doing this without a lift. I just did this job recently on my quarter million mile M52B20. I did remove the AC line but left the AC comp in. If I didnt have my Chinese rugged smartphone that I used to hook up the ratchet to the top nuts I wouldn't have been able to do it. Ratchet with a flex head is definitely a must. I used PT Blaster to loosen the nuts and 3 came out with the studs, 1 stud didnt have a nut on it. Absolutely recommend to remove the entire exhaust system so that manifold extraction is easier. Fiddling the lambda node cables back into the engine bay took me some time and so did fixing the bottom side row of nuts but as you said the top row is the big one. Job took me 10 hours in total including having to run to the shop to buy two new post cat lambda nodes and a few breaks. Thanks again for sharing, really gave me the courage to try this on. Most shops didnt even want to consider doing this for the fear of cracking one of the studs and then having to remove the head.

[@rallikas]

Why did you remove the lambda node cables?

[@pschroeterps]

@@rallikas the post cat lambda nodes come out with the exhaust so cables have to be disconnected. If you're asking why I replaced the lambda nodes it is pointless to do the manifolds without replacing all 4 lambda nodes. Due to the leaking that you get with faulty manifolds which is the reason to do this job in the first place the nodes presumably get damaged due to the incorrect AFM readings that come from additional air in the exhaust due to the leak. If you leave them in and simply replace the manifolds you're bound to get follow up faults due to incorrctly regulating air/fuel mixture from faulty lambda readings. In short when replacing manifolds replace all 4 lambda nodes while you're in there.

[@jordanbriatte9078]

Thank you for the tutorial !

[@joseandujar5495]

Great Video shots.

[@davidlowkz]

great video bro!

[@dexietyy7922]

Tackling this job next week lol I see soot on the underneath of the heat shields so hopefully it’s just a gasket and not cracked manifolds!

[@sachavez3000]

Gracias! Thanks for the videos, I own a '02 325ci.

[@Ashua1111]

how is it now ?

[@admittedflunkyy3573]

Nice work brother

[@BobbyMcQuaid-ze3ri]

Thanks for the info Sir. I was petrified the head would have to come out or worse, the engine block, to replace the exhaust manifold gaskets. I am no longer anxious after watching your video. I do have a couple of studs broken, bought it like that and did not know it. Hope I will be able to drill them out with the head in the car.

[@cristianplascencia2431]

So much help ! Thanks!

[@mikea310]

Hell yea bro. Thank u for posting all this … so damn helpful, 💯a1

[@Immortal_Instinct]

Great videos! Doing some repairs on my e46 using your videos as a guide, also any idea on the part number for the loose hose at 3:22? My mechanic replaced mine since it was cracked but I don't like how bent the hose is thanks!

[@sgbcobra]

that was awesome great info thanks

[@LarsDennert]

Double thumbs up for this video. Actually all of them.

[@scghost]

9:56 wow those exhaust bolts just came off like nothing... mine was completely rusted and this place had to be totally welded in, lol... obviously this cased more trouble when i had to take the exhaust off again, so i had to grind the weld and drill new holes... im so jealous about your rust-free car

[@jasonl5589]

I know right?!

[@josebracero8602]

Great job, thanks

[@MrSerrano0730]

Thanks for all the videos, wouldn't be able to get my cylinder head off without the videos

[@duglandp]

Thanks for all these quality videos, they're more than helpful to diagnose and fix many of the problems one can face with his E46. But, holy cow, they're absolutely not reliable, even not far from being junk. I own a 330 xi and though I maintain it the right way, it always comes with new issues. It's a real pleasure to drive it, the interior is great, it's well balanced, smooth and entertaining but waiting for the new problem to come is a serious drawback ruining ownership pleasure. Here, in France, all premium brands (Audi, Mercedes, BMW) are said to be on the top, reliability included but from my experience and from some other's, it's just bullshit. I owned several french cars and a japanese and BMW and Mercedes I had are by far the less reliable of all the cars I bought. They're too complicated.

[@jeffomer7334]

I need to change out exhaust manifold/CC due to bad CC. I found your video to be very helpful in planning the repair. I was going to run my car up on ramps and then jack up the engine as you described. However, I am wondering if I'd be better off putting it on Jack stands so that the front suspension will hand and allow easier access (to the engine mounts). Any recommendations???

[@andrewnickell7340]

Man I'd be spending thousands of dollars if it wasn't for you thank you so much

[@andrewnickell7340]

Definitely deserves a sub

[@theaquilaalba]

You know the moment when the heat shield on exhaust manifold gasket broke off - I was looking at them and wondered if this is suppose to happen (had them off with the head on X5 and removed them on the bench) to allow you access to the nuts? You can press them back together afterwards as they're only pressed in, so it would be possible to re-attach it - then again, it'd have to be installed with them in place, so kind of fights the subject? Thank you for your videos, I'm in the process of head gasket repair on my X5 and it probably wouldn't be possible without them.

[@ramongambino1977]

I did this 3 weeks ago. what are the torque specs for the engine mount bracket? great video

[@E39ForLife0]

hooray, good job man

[@kashf8694]

Thank you

[@sandveldoff-campdrifters2174]

Good video Mr. 50s, my z3 3.0i misfires and idles bad only when cold, seems to be licking by exhaust manifold area. Now based on your experience could it be the manifold gasket worn out or damaged exhaust manifold pipe? The car is same exhaust manifold as the 330i you worked on.

[@MinMichaelMSmith]

Thanks for your vids. Great info. I just deleted my cats and installed performance headers on my 2003 e46 (325i). I noticed that when I was putting my engine mount back in it wouldn't quite fit because the headers were in the way. I was able to use a hammer and tap the plate down just enough for it to fit. But the header is sitting right on it. Is that normal? I don't remember if the cats were touching the mount or not.

[@thomasgarbaty7374]

Here's a tip, use a ratchet strap to hold the exhaust system out of the way. Now my question, are the exhaust gaskets on the cylinder head re-useable?

[@KYinMontana]

As always, another great and informative step-by-step video. Thank you for taking the time and energy to put these together! I don't hear you mention anything about it during the video but did you have any trouble with any of the nuts/bolts/studs? Reading a lot of the DIY's and watching several other videos, it seems as though just about everyone broke a bolt or stud or had one come out from the head. I'm set to replace my manifolds in a week and I'm 99.99% sure it'll be the first time they've been off since the car was built so I'm worried everything will be stuck together and impossible to get off. Just seeing if you had any tips/advice beyond using PB Blaster or some other liquid wrench beforehand and taking your time. Thanks again!

[@50sKid]

I didn't have any trouble other than one or two studs coming out from the head. But that's relatively normal with exhaust bolts--you can just put those back in as is. I probably didn't have trouble because i'm in California, which might as well be outerspace as far as cars are concerned. There's just barely any corrosion here. However, aside from PB blaster, what you can do--if you can do this--to get rusty bolts out is to heat them up with a propane torch. The heat usually does the trick. You can also touch a wax candle to the nut once it's hot--that will cause the wax to get wicked into the threads as it cools them down, then the nuts come off easy. Classic old school trick. But, before you do anything of this, I would just try to crack one of the easy to get at nuts free and see how hard it is to get out. Maybe you are making much ado about nothing. Good luck.

[@MATMANPRO]

if you are doing it next week, start now and spray nuts and bolts that are rust prone with penetrating fluid every day from today.

[@griffinknows556]

bought an E46 in pretty risky condition. 50sKid really saved it's life.

[@timwerking1665]

Just did this same procedure this weekend, all from topside. Won't say it was easier or better, just possible. You have to remove heat shields attached to ex gasket to have a better chance. In my case with a 325xi - underside access may not be an option, more junk in the way. Also, for whatever reason all bolts came out of the head as one, not real sure how it'll go back together. Love the videos 50's Kid!!

[@50sKid]

Wow that must have been an extra pain doing everything from the top. This is my least favorite job on this car.

[@timwerking1665]

Either way, it's like you said - the hardest part of the project. I have the abrasions and bruises to show for it.

[@regrock100]

I think I may take this job on. I have a 325xi so it sounds like I may have to go from the top as well??? You still have to go underneath to remove bolts from exhaust correct???

[@weiselma1]

I need exhaust manifold gaskets for my 2001 325xi. You video made this look doable but I’ve got back problems and really don’t wanna have to do it myself. Any Idea what this job would cost me at an independent shop? Having problems finding a shop that will take this on.

[@joseandujar5495]

It's best if you move the manifold because the cylinder head is heavy and even heavier with the manifolds connected,if not careful you will snap the chain guides.

[@dexietyy7922]

Hi 50s kid, I have a weird knocking noise passenger side rear of engine, around the exhaust manifold cats, my heat shields are all loose so I suspect the gaskets have blown does this sound about right? It’s definitely not a rod knock as it doesn’t get louder with revs mainly noticeable on idle it’s like a constant Brrrr noise 😂😊

[@LarsDennert]

Magnaflow sells carb eo cats 452287 452288 for the E46. The only source I've found beside BMW. Hottexhaust is their retail outlet.

[@quirino18]

Man That Last bolt its a Pain!! one question dough i got 2 bolts that didnt come out with the nut so the screw its in there and manifold wont come out if i dont remove them, any ideas how to get those out? what i did hoping it works is added red Locktite on the outer thread so as i unscrew the nut it locks with it and hopefully it brings the screw our any other idea incase it doesnt work? letting it dry until tomorrow

[@vicayuro2643]

Hi Jayson how do change those air conditioning lines mine crack up. Thank you. Sizes? I saw fat and thin lines.

[@mccrac5247]

@50sKid how often do you see M54 heads with stud holes for 24 exhaust manifold studs? Thanks for everything!

[@willk3807]

Tip&Trick...unbolt exhaust like he did at 9:40. Then pull cylinder head out with headers attached. They combined weigh around 10Lbs. and go in and out with ease. If your just replacing head gasket you shouldn't need to remove headers when you pull the head. 😆 don't pull your head more than 3 times

[@thejokerking952]

I removes all the bolts from the top did not have to go under the car just to pull out the header stock one

[@zielritter]

Thanks for the video. I'm going to be doing a header install on an M52TU engine, which I think is similar to your M54. Can you confirm? The instructions I've found reference lowering the engine mount as well.

[@mynameismyname7469]

same

[@fredom5223]

Do I really have to remove the engine mount to get to the bottom bolts?

[@brandonata5847]

The exhaust bolts are giving me such a hard time .. I’m using a 15mm long socket and it’s almost like the pipes don’t let the socket go all the way onto the bolt and it’s not loosening whatsoever ..

[@gegervary]

Could bad cats on a manual indeed cause shifting/clutching/stuttering when car is warmed up?

[@MellonsCarousel]

Good work! I'll be honest anymore I've found it easier to buy a A/C charge and pump down kit and just remove my engine and tranny all in one shot, then do my work. I then reinstall my parts and recharge my ac and fill my fluids. It has proven to be easier for me anyway.

[@TOPROLLER101]

excellent video are you going to be putting stainless steel headers on the car after doing all this work or just staying stock

[@50sKid]

stock. I'm in California. Can't get away with no cats.

[@julianmcalister6865]

I’m wondering why all my header studs came out with the nuts on mine. Don’t know why it would make a difference, but mine did. Well, 1 stud on each header stayed in anyway.

[@joseantonioguzmancrispin1780]

Hello sir, I have a 2001 330i, I would like to know what is the model of catalytic converter that my car carries since I would like to buy it from import and in my country they give it very, very expensive. Greetings and thanks.

[@oropezaanthonypillo2]

Good job...... I need somebody to do that job on my 2002 X5.... Here in la. Can you help me?

[@danekeeper1]

Jason, could the exhaust bolts be tackled from the wheel well (tire removed) for an easier R and R?

[@50sKid]

No there is sheet metal in the way.

[@coolmellowdude]

Can the sheet metal be removed to access the bolts?

[@sBigBear]

Does it only seem like that or does every repair you do just work fine with no problems? I'm sure there are plenty of people who need at least a whole day for that job. When I do those things there are often problems occuring which were not concerned before. Kind of annoying when they occure but then it's a even bigger success feeling when finishing the job.

[@50sKid]

I actually usually leave the problems that I encounter in my videos--and definitely leave the mistakes that I make in so people can learn from them. I guess sometimes things go right!

[@IsmailRidi]

Hey 50sKid, So as you know i have been following all your videos on the rebuild because i have been swapping out my engine. So after i finished everything and everything installed, the car won't start with no crank at all, fuel pump is activated but no crank. I checked the battery and starter connections, they are good BUT i wanted to test to see if the starter is getting the ignition signal so here's what i did: with a voltmeter, connected the positive to the ignition signal cable (1 of the 2 smaller black wires) and the other voltmeter lead to ground (chassis). Had my friend try turn start the car, i didn't notice any voltage fluctuation at all. Can you help me figure this out and tell me if if the test i did is right or if there is another way to do it? Could be a good idea for a future video on engine no start with no crank this time :) Thanks again man for all the videos, you have been a lifesaver on many occasions! I have many good working e46 parts lying around, please let me know if you need anything at all and i'll gladly mail it to you! Or drop it off and meet the Genius haha

[@50sKid]

I think one comes from the immobilizer and the other comes from the ECU and you need both signals for the starter solenoid to activate. If your immobilizer wasn't working, I think a symbol flashes on the cluster. Either way, have you checked for errors in a bmw scan tool?

[@IsmailRidi]

Yeah checked and no errors at all. And i ckecked with the voltmeter for both wires and nothing on both which is really wierd. I am sure it's not the ews because the fuel pump was activated. I read somewhere that to check rhese i have to disconnect them which i doubt honestly but will try that tomorrow and will clean the ground wire and reconnect. I don't know what else it could be. After those steps, i have an extra alternator maybe might try it but i am pretty sure the one in there is ok

[@brandonata5847]

How do I get the motor mount back on ..

[@wolflord256]

I wouldn't think motor oil would really hurt a rubber motor mount? Is the motor mount hydraulic filled so the fluid you were seeing was from inside the mount perhaps?

[@50sKid]

Well engine oil can deteriorate rubber. I would imagine the fluid that is inside the mount is a special kind that won't mess it up. The reason I mention the oil is because I saw it on the top of the mount (the top of the mount bracket) so I knew it was engine oil and not the oil from the mount. That's my theory anyway.

[@joewestfall2952]

Did you have any problems with corrosion or seized bolts? It would be terrible to have a broken one with that lack of clearance. Looking for good tricks to assure they will come out without breaking.

[@banderas834]

I just broke one off as we speak. Needing help lol.

[@Dunken135]

I just replaced my exhaust manifold gaskets about 2 weeks ago. I realized I need to remove my headers again but I was wondering if I need to replace the gaskets even if they have barely been used? They are quite expensive.

[@briantristan5634]

Dunken135 they're fine as long as they don't have rips or bends. That will allow exhaust gases to escape

[@hardymeza7855]

How long did that take you?

[@keijonen92]

Bottom of your car is so nice and clean compared to mine, I live in finland so we have salty and snowy roads :S

[@kolehobbs9336]

I’m a 16 year old with a 330 “race car” that I have been autocross it and I bought headers and wrapped them but I am having trouble taking the bolts out because there is so much stuff in the way can I just take the engine mount off without any other support

[@ivanmariano5140]

You can, just remove the lower control arms and the mount you’ll be set, I have a 330ci also, where did you get your headers

[@carlosverduzco4725]

Hi Jason, my local shop says I have a bank one exhaust manifold gasket leak. The mechanic says I will need to change both gaskets. Do you have a video on doing just the gasket replacement? Thanks for your comments.

[@50sKid]

This *is* the video for replacing those gaskets, minus the reinstall of course

[@carlosverduzco4725]

Jason, regarding the re-install; I found that threading as many nuts from underneath the manifolds is a lot easier than doing it blindly from topside. Do you know what the torque specs are for these as well as for the lower exhaust bolts? I know getting a torque wrench in there is virtually impossible.

[@MegaCsims]

You said that you discharge ac system. So just remove remove ac line from evap

[@alanp5348]

Hey Jason, my son and I are replacing both exhaust headers and catalytic converters on his 2005 325i. Got them out with much difficulty. Got the bank two exhaust manifold back on. CANNOT get the bank 1 on. Cannot see any holes to start the bolts. We are suicidal frustrated at this point. Should we remove those damn A/C fat lines? Will that make it possible? We noticed yours were out. Don't recall seeing how to do that. H E L P!

[@50sKid]

+Alan Prachar you should be able to see them with the engine mount bracket removed...?

[@alanp5348]

Man, I have to pay closer attention to your videos. When we removed the exhaust manifold "bolts" they had copper cap nuts on them. Yes, we thought they were suppose to look like that. It took us a while to realize that they were suppose to be simply nuts and the bolt part was actually a stud and the stud was suppose to stay in the engine. That's why we couldn't find the holes in the block when we were trying to attach the manifold. We were searching for the holes blind We ordered studs and nuts and thought the job would be easy from this point on, just screw in the studs, hang the manifold and attach the nuts. But again we were wrong. We drove the studs into the block the depth of the old ones, put on the nuts and using our newly bought Milwaukee (seen in your video) drove them in only to find that the nut stopped when the stud reached the top of the nut and from that point we were just driving the stud into the block! I assume you didn't have this problem. Anyway finally finished the job and started the car and there is a lot of white smoke coming out of the exhaust. Read on the forum somewhere that this is to be expected. Have you ever experienced white smoke from new cat converters and if so, how long will it last?

[@Tilljay125]

Hey Jason how you doing ? Quick question, how do you check to see if the cats are clogged on a 2002,e39 m54 engine

[@briantristan5634]

Horace Lindsay you can feel the car forcing itself like if it can't "breath out" properly. You lose alot of power if they're clogged

[@Tilljay125]

Brian Tristan thanks that’s the issue thanks Again

[@Wipefoot]

Hey man i hope you can answer me. My Flange is completely rusted and i need to change the gaskets. I cant even see any evidence of Bolts, all completely ruste. Do you have any idea how to become it open? Thanks

[@50sKid]

You'll have to cut them off with a cutoff wheel and knock the old studs out of the flanges and then replace them with new bolts.

[@Wipefoot]

Didnt work that well got caught in a 6h drilling session. Bolts were that rusty you cant imagine.

[@bricobmwstyle]

Hola podría ayudarme,tengo un 328ci, las sombda landa esta mal necesito quitarla y no lo consigo. Podrías darme una idea. gracias

[@jordanbrown129]

Creo que no habla español, pero qué son las sombda landas?

[@bricobmwstyle]

Sensor de oxígeno. Ya lo arregle .thanks

[@Tilljay125]

Hey Jason you there?

[@AndreGTunechI]

U didn't show how u pulled out the o2 sensors

[@alex888801]

Hey 50skid I want to delete my 2nd cat from my e46 but i don't know which one is? can you show me by telling me the time you working on it? my cats are bad that's why and not looking to get new ones I know already about the smog check thing, thank you

[@50sKid]

You can't delete them--they are integrated into the exhaust manifolds. You have to replace them entirely with aftermarket exhaust headers. The bank 2 cat is the one that is attached to the most rearward section of the car. You have to remove the bank 1 manifold to get it out.

[@alex888801]

50sKid I might just buy new aftermarket headers instead

[@abrahamjauli2275]

"Why you no come?" HAHAHA

[@50sKid]

I watch a lot of AvE's channel.

[@rowlstonseepersadsingh1491]

Really love your work are you on tic tok

[@rowlstonseepersadsingh1491]

Am from Trinidad i needs some help and advice asap plz

[@sandveldoff-campdrifters2174]

.. and the z3 has m54 engine as well.

[@robertlaugherty4914]

Do you have a Patreon account of some other way to help you fund this series of videos? I have a 2005 330Cic with 79k and plan to keep it until my grandson is old enough to drive it (he's 2). I will need these videos someday and would be glad to contribute.

[@50sKid]

Thanks very much. There is a donation button on the front of my channel. I will work on setting up a Patreon account as well.

[@MrSerrano0730]

What kind of Drill isthat

[@briantristan5634]

Milwaukee m18 impact driver and m12 electric ratchet. Get the fuel ones if you're interested in them!

[@andrasjakab741]

Its miles harder a job than on the 5 series m54. So little space to work 😅

[@elijuseee]

there not enough space, you should remove manifold. when i removing manifolds only two bolts unscrew from top, all the other from the bottom. it is not easy job.

[@felixbanq3808]

remove the ex. knot pull ex. ex. manifold to side tie it with rope or wire no need to remove the ex. manifold your good to remove the cylinder head

[@cgeromi]

Hi! Great videos. Did you car originally come with flange steadies? (farm5.staticflickr.com/4902/32955695958_777d1f8487_b.jpg). I don't see them in your video. My '04 325ci has them but wondering if I truly need them. Im about to replace the cats and one of my flange steadies is slightly bent.

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

removing the exhaust manifold is such a pain, took me about 10 hours my first time

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

if you dont have an XI model, you dont have to remove the engine mount, remove both manfold off the studs, and move the bank1 manifold out first through the bottom, although somehow i got manifold 2 out first

[@yoshi1u2]

yea i pulled the head off with exhaust manifold attached i cut the 4 bolts after the down pipe connection and just used a engine hoist to pull head off with manifold attached. It was heavy but it was almost impossible to get the manifold off while head inside.

[@50sKid]

Wow, that's crazy. I don't even understand how #2 would come out first!

[@50sKid]

Yoshi1u2: I tried pulling the head and manifolds out attached in the junkyard standing on a tire. Not a fun time! Scratched the crap out of the block.

[@marcwoodward8056]

Yoshi1u2 I did the same thing in my driveway without a hoist by myself! just got a good grip on the head & lifted straight up & out with the exhaust manifold still attached. If you're not strong enough to do it by yourself then get a buddy to help you out. He's doing way too much work in this video when you're going to pull the head anyway!

[@AnthonyGall0YT]

22:11 lol

[@loganpesticcio1078]

U must of got extremely pissed off doing this off camera 😂 I spent the last 3 hours getting just bank 1 off and don’t think I’ll ever be doing headers again

[@gassimhaddad4300]

what i do, i remove the exhaust manifold with the cylinder head it is much easier.

[@Xixu.co.6]

thank you for confirming this will work. Im right in the middle of this job and this is the way i was thinking about doing it

[@craigcrandall2125]

V.Vega did that work? I'm thinking of pulling the exhaust manifold with my head. Just doing a head gasket job.

[@Xixu.co.6]

Craig Crandall No it didn't. it would only come up about and inch before it snagged. the head is too damn heavy to be maneuvering it around while you're lifting it. i ended up taking the manifolds off. it wasn't bad at all. flex head ratchet and a deep 11mm gets all the top ones, same setup + a 3" extension gets all the bottom ones. you don't even have to get under the car.

[@fredom5223]

Ill def try your way.

[@clabcon]

RHD manifold removal is even more difficult for access.

[@50sKid]

Because of the steering rack, yeah.

[@clabcon]

Yes. Also the copper nut might come out with the stud if you live outside of CA. Had mine off to replace the heatshield as the rivets failed. Do you fancy S54 engine mounts? They are slightly stiffer than your M54 ones.

[@50sKid]

Yeah I was thinking about that--they aren't that expensive. What do you know about them? What makes them different? Not oil filled? Solid rubber?