E34 Exhaust Manifold removal

[wiggy1406]

Help! Trying to fit a new cyclinder head and can't get the exhaust manifold off, any useful tips?

It's the last job before i fit the new one.

Thanks

Mike

[whiskychaser]

Help! Trying to fit a new cyclinder head and can't get the exhaust manifold off, any useful tips?

It's the last job before i fit the new one.

Thanks

Mike
Leave it on the head -makes a nice handle to lift it off. Undo the 6 nuts that attach it to the downpipes instead. No 3 here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HC23&mospid=47402&btnr=18_0159&hg=18&fg=05

[wiggy1406]

Leave it on the head -makes a nice handle to lift it off. Undo the 6 nuts that attach it to the downpipes instead. No 3 here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HC23&mospid=47402&btnr=18_0159&hg=18&fg=05

Trying that as we speak......you need the hands of a baby and the strength of popeye!!!

Mike

[Ross]

" you need the hands of a baby and the strength of popeye!!!"
Or, fire. Heating them makes things a bunch easier. Plan on buying some new fasteners.

[bmwpower]

Or plan on buying new studs on the downpipes, too. I broke a couple of mine in the process. Don't forget the antisieze when you reinstall! My PO obviously did!

[GoldenOne]

with two universal joints, a long extension, and a cordless impact wrench (or air ratchet) its pretty easy to those six nuts from under the car

[whiskychaser]

Trying that as we speak......you need the hands of a baby and the strength of popeye!!!

Mike
Did you remove the heat shield? You should be able to get at the nuts with a straight socket extension. I cant remember if I took the wheel off too to give me room. Either way wear gloves cos when they let go you will bang your hand on the subframe:(

Edit: if you are driving a left kicker you may not have the heat shield. It protects the UJ on the steering:)

[Ken35i]

Here's an old trick my uncle taught me for siezed nuts n bolts. Get a nail punch (one with a flat end; ie. not a centre punch) and a hammer. Place the punch on the FLATS of the nuts and give it a few whacks with the hammer. Do it on as many flats as you can on the stuck nut, more the better.
And presto you'll be able to undo them with your wrench/ratchet.

[AngryPopTart]

A blow torch on the nuts till they are red hot always worked for me. You can also try tightening them, just until they actually give,before trying to loosen them. I suggest use some penetrant like PB Blaster or Mopar penetrant with graphite.

[wiggy1406]

OK Head Off new one on.....blimey it works....now just got to flush all the crap out of the cooling system, then bleed it......i was advised to jack the front end up as much as i can, open the thermostat bleed screw and "rev the nuts off it".....is this a good idea?

Thanks for all the advice....universal joint was the clincher!

The whole job has played merry hell with my manicure!

[Ross]

I'm not much for the "rev the nuts off it" part. Something past idle, err "tickover", ought to be enough for circulation.
Leave the cap off while running it up to temp, keep filling until it looks full then close it and open the bleeder until no more air, close bleeder. Let it cool and recheck.
Check the level every time you drive for a while.

[wiggy1406]

Is that the bleeder on the Rad or the thermostat?

Mike

[Ross]

On the stat only with M20 me thinks.

[wiggy1406]

Cheers!

[wiggy1406]

Help! Trying to fit a new cyclinder head and can't get the exhaust manifold off, any useful tips?

It's the last job before i fit the new one.

Thanks

Mike

Thanks to everyone, new head now in situ, manifold attached, system all bled out and solid as a rock!!! even survived a warm day sat for two hours in central London!!