Genuine 2001 BMW X5 Cylinder Head

2001 BMW X5 Cylinder Head Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q:

  How to remove the left cylinder head in V8 engine on 2001 BMW X5?

  Posted by Xiangbo G.

  A:

  To remove the left cylinder head from the M62 TU engine, one should turn the engine off and disconnected the negative battery cable and there are battery disconnection cautions that should be read first. Raise the car safely and then take out the lower engine cover. Then remove the left exhaust manifold and also drain the engine coolant. On the engine compartment plenum chamber, take off the ventilation microfilter and the plenum cover, then take out the plenum seal as well as the plenum bulkhead. Then, take off the upper engine cover and the air filter housing as well as the down engine cover. On the right side of the vehicle, unbolt the washer fluid reservoir mounting and install the reservoir to the bolts, on the left side of the vehicle, unlock the coolant hoses from the heater valve bracket but do not disconnect them. Open both cylinder head covers and take out the spark plugs and keep the united fitting of the spark plug hole with rubber to avoid any dirt to get inside the engine. Utilise special tools to ease out the cooling fan and clutch from the coolant pump and further, identify that the cooling fan nut is left threaded. In some cases, the fan cowl may be fastened by screws on the radiator; if so it has to be removed and then you take out the intake manifold, sealing off the ports on the cylinder head intake. At the top rear of the engine, remove the electrical connectors from the coolant manifold and the coolant hoses associated with it, before withdrawing the manifold together with the oil distribution tube which are fastened by bolts to the camshaft bearing caps, taking out the oil tubes in the process. Turn the crankshaft several times clockwise and put the array in TDC position for the 1 cylinder and lock it by using the TDC holding tool. Bolt the camshaft locking tool sets onto both of the cylinder heads such that they come into contact with the surfaces and the sets stays stationary. Lose the left and right upper timing chain cowl assembly, then pull out left VANOS housing, intake and exhaust camshaft wheel, and the second timing chain. Release the crankshaft locking tool and raise the primary chain with the intent of turning the crankshaft clockwise approximately up to the crankshaft 45° marking on the crankshaft counter vibration damper sprocket meshing with a boss on the lower end of the timing chain cover. Last but not the least, take off the left camshaft locking tools, chain guide rail mounting bolt, loosen the cylinder head bolts according to the sequence and finally lift the cylinder head from the block of the engine.

  Answered by BMW Parts Specialist Noah / Dec 02, 2025