BMW X5 STARTER REPLACEMENT-MUST SEE

[@latitudeoutdoor]

I used 7/16 gearwrench and was able to remove that rear bolt with little to no effort. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would look like without that tool. Thank you for the video!

[@MLEB723]

My bolt broke free as soon as I used the 7/16 box wrench and it hand turned out in 30 seconds but the gear wrench is definitely a better option....

[@ksk5517]

Great information. Please see additional information below. Starter replacement is less difficult when the Intake Manifold is removed in its entirety (not just suspended and relocated to make room to access the Starter) compared to removing and reinstalling the Starter's passenger-side fastener from underside of the vehicle or via restricted space from the top. Yes, the removal of the Intake Manifold will require disconnection of the PCV Breather System (black plastic pipes and Oil Separator) and few wire disconnections from its connectors, but the Manifold removal isn't too bad if you label the wires and take few photos of PCV Breather System pieces prior to their removal. Another reason why removal of the Intake Manifold is recommended is to prevent stripping of the Starter's aluminum fasteners. The chance of stripping these fasteners is high when you are struggling to remove them due to space restriction from Manifold only being relocated. Aluminum fasteners are used for the Starter attachment in lieu of the steel fasteners to prevent galvanic reaction, and they are easily damaged. These aluminum fasteners should not be reused. I highly recommend PCV Breather System replacement during this job since these plastic pieces become brittle due to adjacent hot engine block. Pushing the Manifold to make room will most likely crack these black plastic pipes and fittings, and unfortunately you will find out that they were broken after the Manifold has been reinstalled (excessive leakage of this system will trigger the computer to prevent engine start sooner or later). The PCV Breather System with the Oil Separator is about $30 or so (non-OEM). If the Throttle Body gasket and the Intake Manifold gaskets have not been replaced previously, these gaskets should be replaced at this time since they are now accessible. Again, these gaskets are about $40 or so combined (non-OEM).

[@MLEB723]

I'm sure, I just didn't want to remove all of the Wires and Hoses in case something broke or I couldn't get them back on the same way they came off.

[@MrMagsimus]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD !! Brother I appreciate your hard work but why are people taking intake manifolds and making this job into such a saga … you had the right idea u strip the plastic cover underneath and take all the 8mm bolts and then undo the starter bolts from underneath by using 3 x 3/8 drive long extensions and ratchet and wind those bolts out, pull the little shit down undo the cables and pull the damn thing out , I just done my transfer box and starter together here in uk , started 5pm and was done for 9pm . I’m retired from the trade probs my boys do it faster but I did at my own pace . You don’t need. To strip all that under the bonnet brother . Love from Uk 🇬🇧

[@haihonguyen]

wow. I feel your pain. I ran into similar bad problem I want to share too. a while ago starter died on my 328i on the road, while I tried to pull it home using my x5, crossing the street, another car cut thru between our two cars hitting the pulling cable at high speed LOL, his car was all messed up. his insurance covered his damage, but I paid him $1000 out of pock in a good faith. Then $130 to town my car home. I learned that lesson, so today I take a more proactive step to replace starter on my x5 before it goes bad on me like my 328i. I replaced starter on 328i before, I was able to complete the job all from the top, so hope I can do the same with x5 too. Wish me luck! for those who about to do this job, DONT FORGET (1) disable battery before you do this. (2) replace rubber seals from the manifold as well.

[@ChristRecords2O16]

How'd it go on the X5

[@haihonguyen]

@@ChristRecords2O16 it went well. Starter replaced on x5. It has been good

[@josephpapa7595]

I had to pull the transmission out and you saved me a lot of time. Thank you

[@skunkedagain]

good tip on the 7/16th. please use a tripod or clamp where possible. your knowledge is great, just match it with your videos that are not shaky, and you'd be The-MAN! thanks again

[@AndyNav1]

Great great information. I'm about to do the same. But not sure what you had to remove or dislodge before tilting the sirintake manifold. Mind you mine is e53 which I think is simpler than yours. Things to remove Disa valve, air hose after MAF....? Thanks

[@AndyNav1]

Hi Knuckle Busters DIY, you never told me what you had to take off from the other side of the manifold, opposite side of the fuel rail, left side. Thanks

[@lyndonwouters2466]

Taking the manifold off completely and using a 3/8 drive swivel wrench to remove the left hand bolt is made easy.

[@MrDiamondsatwork]

The best advice I could give to make this job easier is use a 12 point flexible ratchet wrench to remove the top bolt. No need to jack op the car and remove panels. Great video though.

[@MLEB723]

Yes, taking off the panels was a desperate move on my part and completely unnecessary.

[@MLEB723]

Yes, removing the protective panels from below was completely unnecessary.

[@paulkosa]

Theres not enough room to fit a flexible ratchet wrench. The bolt head sits right against the housing. Idiot design once again by bmw. The designer should be taken out back and disposed of.

[@Djsatile]

Do it urself please I just paid bmw 1100 to do this

[@nordborggrill2813]

Hi hope you can help How did you find out the error on your started Since my click but started have not tried and start with cable but does not help. Hope you can in answer me. 

[@MLEB723]

Checking the battery and it's connections and then checking the relay to the starter are good places to start, if all seem okay that's when I would check to see if you have power at the starter when you try to start the vehicle...If you have power at the starter at that point you most likely have a bad starter.

[@yukateco6855]

i change a starter on a 535i and its the same exact thing, what i did its just hammered the aluminum part of the starter since i was going to replace it with a new one anyways, just grab a hammer and beat shit up its gonna come out 👍🏽

[@matreyia]

Did you register your new battery? It will go bad faster if you don't.

[@MLEB723]

I actually sold the vehicle about 2 years after this video without any other issues.

[@axesomebody]

Thanks for the info! My 2008 X5 won’t start right now and I’m trying to trouble shoot. What were the symptoms that led you to change the battery and starter?

[@MLEB723]

I replaced the battery because it was old and since I was trying to get my X5 to start I figured now was a good time to replace it, after testing and finding power going to the starter when I pressed the start button I figured it had to be the starter. Keep in mind, there are a lot of relays, grounds and other things that could make your BMW not start so it could be something other than the starter causing the problem...Good Luck with your repair.

[@axesomebody]

Thanks for the info! It turned out it was the starter. Had it towed to our local eurotec and $1000 later it’s back running... wish I had the time and knowledge to do myself!

[@glenglene8473]

use the flex 3/8 ratchet and you can easily take it out from the front.

[@ceavalencia4767]

I have similar year and model: I have a broken plastic piece coming out of the coolant resevior and i dont know the name of the part. I have pic for ref. Thank You

[@stevemorris3049]

You may want to get your computer re-programed for the new battery. If not you may run in to charging issues. That's why BMW charges so much for the install. The computer will charge the new battery at a higher rate then normal if not reset....

[@MLEB723]

Yes that's what I've been told, I have had no charging issues.

[@ianwiggins734]

It's 716th spanner actually

[@mcarloss871]

HeyI have a Bmw X5 Xdrive 3.5 turbo. Mine did the same thing. Went to the gas station to put gas in it and it didnt start. I also had to pay $225 for the tow because i couldnt get the car in neutral. Anyways after many days of testing and research of racking my brain. I believe its the starter. When you change your starter did that fix your car? I didn't see any updates on the progress.

[@MLEB723]

Yes...my starter was bad, sorry I actually made 3 videos about replacing the starter. I also replaced the battery that BMW wanted $451.00 to install. ha ha kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKvThauZjpajqas

[@MLEB723]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIa8l6iFeaeVj80

[@kasmemeti2931]

Mike what is that tool called??

[@MLEB723]

www.bavauto.com/bmw-emergency-brake-handle-24507590395?gclid=Cj0KCQiA37HhBRC8ARIsAPWoO0yGBz32KSRpUl74l0pHRkWvgxBDPQ69fSJryk40avQN2tsA3CJ_veUaAqOpEALw_wcB

[@tryarnify]

Did the starter just die on you, or did it get worse and worse? (..why did you replace it..?)

[@MLEB723]

It died without any warning at all.

[@tryarnify]

Okay. Thanks for the reply. I´m not sure yet , but I´m afraid mine died today.

[@MLEB723]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKvThauZjpajqas

[@MLEB723]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIa8l6iFeaeVj80

[@g0blin479]

Man I’m here so I guess you can assume my starter is going out 🤕 dreading it

[@shtroms]

Nice

[@ljdapro1983]

Right on my guy !!!!

[@frankgonzalez2269]

Good job!!!

[@haithemelforjani2297]

$400 to replace the battery?! They must be joking.

[@MLEB723]

They charge an hour of labor to program the battery to the car.

[@MLEB723]

I've Recently Discovered the 2012 BMW 328's with auto trans are worse than this BMW X5...You literally have to remove a panel to get to a screw that allows the transmission to be placed in Neutral. Worse Engineering I've ever seen in my life.

[@Realroyrogers]

Why in the world would they design nonsense ?

[@chazayah5985]

I’m a mechanic I love it . Money 💰 money

[@badhabitz93]

Bmw freaking sucks bro

[@MLEB723]

Older BMWs should only be owned by mechanics or very rich people.