Genuine 2004 BMW X3 Cylinder Head

2004 BMW X3 Cylinder Head Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q:

  How to remove the cylinder head in M54 six sylinder engine on 2004 BMW X3?

  Posted by Mick W.

  A:

  Before removing the cylinder head on the M54 engine, it is required to disconnect the negative battery cable, and for this purpose, it is necessary to read the battery disconnection cautions. Third, take off the upper engine covers and disconnect the air hose with the vacuum line from the secondary air valve on the right side of the cylinder head. Climbing the engine, extricate the vent line from the cylinder head cover by pulling the clip and the electrical harness connector from the VANOS solenoid valve. Following that, it will be necessary to take off both exhaust manifolds and refit the engine support arm assembly and the engine mount assembly. The air filter housing and ducts should be pulled out next, and then the cylinder head cover together with the cranking position sensor and the ignition coil all removed, and the spark plug hole to be plugged to avoid dirt to get into the interior. Rubber stoppers must be inserted on the intake side as it is referred to as cylinder head intake ports and must have the intake manifold removed. Jack up the car and securely slot in the jack stands. Open the expansion tank cap and also place a container below the drain Plug on the exhaust side of cylinder 2. The plastic drain plug must be removed to drain the radiator. Then, take off the cooling fan and the radiator, then take off of the thermostat housing by disconnecting the electrical connection, unbolt and dismantle it. Usually, the fasteners are removed to pull the heater bypass tube from the cylinder head but leaving the heater hose connected and if needed the oil pressure line banjo bolt may be loosened. Bolt the baffle cover off the top of the intake camshaft and banjo bolt into the VANOS unit oil pressure line; a tool is available for collecting dripping oil. Place a shop towel over the oil bore in the VANOS unit and attach hose to the supply compression air and apply air pressure. Turn the engine in a clockwise direction with the crankshaft vibration damper bolt on in a manner that will aline the cylinder one intake and exhaust camshaft lobes such that they are in the TDC position. While the engine is still in the TDC position, fix the crankshaft in that position with a special tool and unbolt two cylinder head cover studs at the top rear of the cylinder head. Utilize a distinctive set of equipment to lock the camshafts in TDC position and eliminate the VANOS component from the front part of the cylinder head. The primary chain under tension must be lifted and the number of turns being 4, the engine must be rotated anti clockwise by approximately 30 degrees to ensure the pistons do not hit the valves during camshaft work. Take out the camshaft locking tools and then the camshafts and camshaft bearing carriers, and intake camshaft sensor, and finally the bolts of the secondary chain lower guide. The bolts taking the timing chain cover to the cylinder head must be undone, then the cylinder head bolts are loosened progressively from 14 to 1, into which are discarded after being used. Last of all, raise the cylinder head.

  Answered by BMW Parts Specialist Tony / Jan 11, 2026