Fun with a BMW N62 4.4 V8

[14Accent]

Just because I know you car guys on here like seeing things taken apart: I'm replacing the infamous coolant transfer tube on a BMW 540i. The seals that BMW used are total junk, and they ALL fail. The original repair procedure had you taking off the entire timing cover to replace the original 1-piece tube. The aftermarket God's designed a 2-piece extending tube that only requires intake and valley cover removal.

Believe me... It's still a pain! Enjoy!

 

[kschachn]

Nice pictures thank you for them! The tubes are external on the older M60 so you don’t have to remove the valley pan, but they leak just the same.

Has the rear coolant cover leaked yet between the engine and transmission?

 

[14Accent]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Nice pictures thank you for them! The tubes are external on the older M60 so you don’t have to remove the valley pan, but they leak just the same.

Has the rear coolant cover leaked yet between the engine and transmission?


Not a clue. This is the first time we've seen the car. It had coolant coming from the weep hole that BMW conveniently drills to let you know when you have a $3k repair bill coming

 

[kschachn]

That's a $3K repair? Nice to know, my old 530i must be worth about $75-100K by now (although I see the pipe is about $800).

FWIW this is the view with the external pipes:

 

[ls1mike]

That does not look fun at all. I will take a 3800 intake gasket any day.

So many parts there.

 

[nthach]

Wow, just when I thought the Nissan VG30/Toyota MZ crossover pipes and the GM 4.3/5.7L Vortec IMGs were a pain, this takes the cake.

It looks beautiful as a design, but not to service.

 

[14Accent]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
That's a $3K repair? Nice to know, my old 530i must be worth about $75-100K by now (although I see the pipe is about $800).


It's actually around $2,500 with a new thermostat and water pump (they have to come off, now is the time. Something like $950 labor and the rest is parts fluids and tax.

Book time is 6.5 this way, 30 hours the original way. I billed it at 8 hours because he's having me replace a few other things while I'm in there.

I've heard stories of BMW getting towards of $8k for this repair back in the day.

 

[MCompact]

I love to drive the V8s, but I stick with I4 and I6 BMWs for long term ownership.

 

[Audios]

I just had to do pipes on an M60 with 199k last week! Leaking around the fitting at the pump, when it came apart the ends were corroded, but of course now the manifold had to come off the change the o rings at the rear flange.

 

[14Accent]

I must say, it's IMPORTANT to check that you have the end seals installed correctly. They're inset seals, you have to condense the seal and push it through an opening and then seat it in place. The rear seal is a simple o-ring, so it's not terrible. The front (timing cover) seal is a one-way design with a taper, and it's square edged so it has to be installed just so. What a pain! I was on my knees, leaning on the engine, looking upside down in to the hole poking with a tiny screwdriver to seat every last edge into it's groove.

I really hope I don't have to do another one of these any time soon.

 

[SEMI_287]

*Quietly reminded why not to buy that V8 E60*

 

[14Accent]

Originally Posted By: SEMI_287
*Quietly reminded why not to buy that V8 E60*


Correct sir!

The one bonus of this car? It's a 6-speed... and I'm sorry, it's actually a 545i. But the important part is IT'S A 6-SPEED! This is not a car you see every day, even though it's a clunker of a BMW in the grand scheme of things.

 

[SEMI_287]

Originally Posted By: 14Accent
Originally Posted By: SEMI_287
*Quietly reminded why not to buy that V8 E60*


Correct sir!

The one bonus of this car? It's a 6-speed... and I'm sorry, it's actually a 545i. But the important part is IT'S A 6-SPEED! This is not a car you see every day, even though it's a clunker of a BMW in the grand scheme of things.


Please don't remind me! I found a black on black 07 that was a 6 speed. It's taking everything in my power not to get a one way ride with my checkbook. Just keep reminding myself.. coolant tube.. valve stem seals.. $$$$$.

 

[14Accent]

Originally Posted By: SEMI_287
Originally Posted By: 14Accent
Originally Posted By: SEMI_287
*Quietly reminded why not to buy that V8 E60*


Correct sir!

The one bonus of this car? It's a 6-speed... and I'm sorry, it's actually a 545i. But the important part is IT'S A 6-SPEED! This is not a car you see every day, even though it's a clunker of a BMW in the grand scheme of things.


Please don't remind me! I found a black on black 07 that was a 6 speed. It's taking everything in my power not to get a one way ride with my checkbook. Just keep reminding myself.. coolant tube.. valve stem seals.. $$$$$.


In all honesty, the coolant tube can be done in a driveway with ramps. It would suck, but it's not that bad. Lots of fiddling, lots of cursing the German's for their ways. Must be careful with the VANOS actuators, that can be an expensive mistake. The valve stem seals, that's a whole other level. Low miles and good oil would go a long way there.

 

[edyvw]

BMW and V8.
Their I6 are par excellence, but V8? I am not sure whether N63TU is finally OK. From what I heard from BMW technician it seems N63TU is OK.
But BMW and V8 are never ending saga of burning money.

 

[Trav]

I have no idea why BMW continues to use Buna-N rubber for seals when Viton or Kalrez/Simrez would be a permanent seal.
Creative work? I think so.

 

[kschachn]

What kind of coolant is that BTW. It doesn't look like BMW blue or G48.

Originally Posted By: 14Accent

 

[14Accent]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
What kind of coolant is that BTW. It doesn't look like BMW blue or G48.

Originally Posted By: 14Accent



You know, I wondered that myself. I think it's some BMW blue mixed with god knows what. The customer has been adding coolant for some time now. I've got a gallon of BMW blue here to replace it.

 

[GMBoy]

Just got a nice 650Ci for my wife for a great price off a friend. Perfect maintenance history and at 112k miles. Looks like new and runs well. Is the 650ci's 4.4V8 the same engine you are discussing here? If so - guess I need to be on the lookout - the motor has never been apart yet.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Just got a nice 650Ci for my wife for a great price off a friend. Perfect maintenance history and at 112k miles. Looks like new and runs well. Is the 650ci's 4.4V8 the same engine you are discussing here? If so - guess I need to be on the lookout - the motor has never been apart yet.

Yes that is an N62 engine and has the coolant transfer tube inside the valley pan. It also leaks from the rear coolant plate in between the engine and the transmission (as does my old M60 engine).

Looking at those pictures it's interesting how some things have changed over the years but some have not. I see BMW still thinks 4 knock sensors are required.