Spinner99

I had a bit of a think about whether I would do this job for someone else and came around to “yes, but”. Before I say more I’m not a qualified mechanic, I just enjoy working on cars at home. I’ve done the job on my own car using the AGA tool method, and I recall someone saying that if you’ve done the valve covers then you can do the valve stem seals too. I agree with that statement. To do it yourself with the most limited stripping of the engine you’ll need the AGA tool, plus some other things like a leak down tester or some rope to stop the valves dropping into the cylinder, and a week of your time. There are other options (e.g. cheaper tools) out there besides the AGA method if you don’t mind removing the camshafts and retiming the engine. I also recommend doing a valve cover gasket job at the same time (it’s coming off, so you may as well replace all the gaskets while it’s off), and I’d encourage you to consider replacing the spark plugs if they aren't newish as they have to come out, and it’s so easy to install new spark plugs with the valve cover off compared to when its on. Beware though, other unrelated parts in the car may break during disassembly or reassembly as with age and heat some materials such as plastic and rubber become brittle. You may be up for extra parts (and $$$) to replace those also. Here's a parts list I put together in case it helps you. I suspect it will be the same for your X5 as it was for my E61 but maybe double check just in case. Description Part Number Quantity Valve Stem Seal Kit 11340029751 2 Valve Cover Gasket Kit 1-4 11127513194 1 Valve Cover Gasket Kit 5-8 11127513195 1 Spark Plug Domes 11127570219 8 Upper Timing Cover Gasket 1-4 11147506424 1 Upper Timing Cover Gasket 5-8 11147506425 1 Valvetronic Actuator Seal 7119903596 2 Camshaft Position Sensor O-Ring 12141748398 4 Eccentric Shaft Sensor Gasket 11127518420 2 Vanos Solenoid Seal (large) 11367513222 4 Vanos Solenoid Seal (small) 11367546379 4 Vacuum Pump Seal (small) 11667509080 1 In my notes I wrote down the Febi Spark Plug Domes I used didn't fit as well as the genuine ones so I would use genuine Spark Plug Domes next time. Genuine ones are quite pricey though (e.g. $100 ish each). As much as I enjoy working on cars, this isn’t a couple of hours on a weekend helping someone out job, it’s a take a week off work to do it job. Because of that If I was going to do this work for someone else I think I’d be looking to quote somewhere around $3k depending on current parts prices. That's a lot of money so swapping hats for a minute if I was looking at $3k for some random guy who isn't a mechanic vs $5k for a proper mechanic that comes with all the guarantees etc I'd be seriously considering the proper mechanic option. Hopefully that helps.

Yep I still have the tools. I'm not overly keen to lend them out but if you want to chat about some options send me a PM . I feel like the parts we're somewhere in the $600-$800 mark for all the "stuff" (e.g. apart form the valve stem seals, new spark plugs, all the spark plug tubes, valve cover gaskets and associated o-rings etc etc) but please don't quote me on that .

Maybe give it a quick check to make sure it has 5 wires going into it (not all connectors use all pins). Assuming it does, hopefully there's a way for you to re-pin it without having to replace it?

Not me, but this came up on the box yesterday in case anyone else is interested in following along

I'm possibly over doing it, but I am to change the trans fluid and filter every 25k . Part of my thinking is that when I do a change, the drain and fill method I'm following is only getting about half the fluid in the transmission which means half the fluid in there is still old. Maybe some confirmation bias, but I recall when I did the fluid and filter on my old E46 for the first time it was at about 140k and the fluid came out black. I put in fluid with a red dye and did fluid and filter annually for a while. Given there was a years driving in between each service, but, the second drain & fill came out black, the third was dark red, and it wasn't until the 4th drain and fill I was getting red fluid out.

If it's in the Hutt Valley I can do that

Hello, I saw heard a black 650i coming tonight when I was out for a walk, the plate started HSZxxx - is that anyone on here's ? I'd love to know what exhaust work it's had and where I can get one like it, it sounded like music to my ears

This popped up on my youtube suggestions today

I'm open to earning some pocket money doing little jobs like that on the weekend

Thanks - sorry if I missed it in the thread, do you know what engine is in it? e.g. N43, N45 ? if not can you PM me the rego or VIN and I can find it from there. Will have a look over the weekend and come back to you.

Hi There, Just checking, are you asking for someone to help you do the work, or are you asking someone's to do it for you? How many km's has the car done?

How did you get on @Nigel ?

There's more than one reason why the car might not start. It could be a power supply issue (e.g. Battery is dead, a cable is broken etc), but it can also be a number of other things not related to the battery, for example it could be a "computer says no" issue. When you push the start button the cars computers do a whole lot of magic stuff (like checking if the key in the vehicle is allowed to start the car) - and only if the computers are happy will they command the starter motor to turn. You really need to get a proper scanner on the car to see if there are any indications of why it won't start.

@E63 just in case you're still looking for parts https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/bmw/exterior/listing/4728112566