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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N55 Turbo Engine Tuning and Exhaust Modifications - 335i Tuning > N55 Engine Cover Removal? (2011 335i Sedan)



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      04-05-2013, 12:01 PM   #1
actionj_99
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N55 Engine Cover Removal? (2011 335i Sedan)

Calling all BMW techs,

Went to replace my spark plugs and I tried to search the forums, but all the DIY's are for N54... I could NOT figure out how to remove the rear engine cover in this picture (see red outline)? It seems to get caught on something in the back. Has anyone done this already and can let me know what the trick is?

Thanks,
Sam
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      04-05-2013, 12:23 PM   #2
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it comes off, start at the front and work your way back. the tough part is obviously in the back with the wire bundles and the strut brace, but you just need to work it out. Mine's been off now for at least a year...
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      04-05-2013, 12:32 PM   #3
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Thanks Mad,

Do you remember how you moved the wires around? I swear I am going to break something...
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      04-05-2013, 12:44 PM   #4
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i took the strut bar off.... much easier
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      04-05-2013, 01:20 PM   #5
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Slops,

Does the strut bar just slide out if you undo the bolt at the top of the shock mount?

Or are there more bolts on the other side?
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      04-05-2013, 01:36 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by actionj_99
Slops,

Does the strut bar just slide out if you undo the bolt at the top of the shock mount?

Or are there more bolts on the other side?
Yup just slides out
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      04-05-2013, 02:30 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slops
i took the strut bar off.... much easier
Is that....safe?
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      04-05-2013, 06:08 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slops
i took the strut bar off.... much easier
Is that....safe?
Why not? Just put it back on after the sparks are in.
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      04-05-2013, 07:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slops
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slops
i took the strut bar off.... much easier
Is that....safe?
Why not? Just put it back on after the sparks are in.
Oh I'm an idiot! I thought you were leaving it off altogether while driving... sorry dude it's been a long week
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      04-05-2013, 07:09 PM   #10
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you know wut? slops is right... I did loosen the 2 strut braces at the tower. I just took a torx bit and removed those 2 bolts (1 on each side) and that did the trick. It's still a PITA which is why I keep mine off. Easy to change spark plugs and on the dyno, I can easily hit my coil wires
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      04-06-2013, 02:49 PM   #11
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Thanks guys... Got the plugs replaced and I'll be posting a video DIY shortly.
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      04-06-2013, 07:29 PM   #12
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I'll be waiting for that video. I'm about to change mine too and this is the first time I'm going to work on a BMW. Thanks for doing this.
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      04-08-2013, 11:44 AM   #13
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Here's Part 1 of the video. Takes you all the way through removing the first spark plug... Comments appreciated. Some advice before you start:

1.) PLEASE USE METRIC TOOLS! This is a european car and guess what measuring system their engineers use? I see all these other DIY's saying to use SAE or English size sockets and such... It MIGHT work, but you run a big risk of rounding off the nuts/bolts! If you do that, you will need special tools to extract.

2.) Be patient and take your time (2-3 hours). Its tempting to do things right before a run or such, but trying to do a repair under time pressure is not ideal. You run a big risk of doing something wrong and then having to redo it.

3.) Try to do this on a level surface as you are removing a strut brace. And for your own safety should parking brake fail, etc...



And here is Part 2. Takes you all the way through starting the engine back up!


Last edited by actionj_99; 04-10-2013 at 10:57 AM.. Reason: Added link to Part 2
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      04-08-2013, 01:14 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by actionj_99 View Post
Here's Part 1 of the video (Part 2 will be posted in a day or so). Takes you all the way through removing the first spark plug... Comments appreciated. Some advice before you start:

1.) PLEASE USE METRIC TOOLS! This is a european car and guess what measuring system their engineers use? I see all these other DIY's saying to use SAE or English size sockets and such... It MIGHT work, but you run a big risk of rounding out the nuts/bolts! If you do that, you will need special tools to extract.

2.) Be patient and take your time (2-3 hours). Its tempting to do things right before a run or such, but trying to do a repair under time pressure is not ideal. You run a big risk of doing something wrong and then having to redo it.

3.) Try to do this on a level surface as you are removing a strut brace. And for your own safety should parking brake fail, etc...

EXCELLENT JOB!! SO FAR!!
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      04-08-2013, 03:01 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papiti View Post
EXCELLENT JOB!! SO FAR!!
very nice instructional video for sure +1
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      04-08-2013, 04:54 PM   #16
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Great vid so far! Learning a lot.
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      04-08-2013, 07:58 PM   #17
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Nice video...BMW made that a chore. Oil change, easy...spark plug change, PITA. Ha.
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      04-08-2013, 08:58 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisk03
Nice video...BMW made that a chore. Oil change, easy...spark plug change, PITA. Ha.
I know. This will be the first time I'm going to perform a spark plug change where I have to remove a strut bar. PITA indeed. Thanks BMW!
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      04-09-2013, 01:12 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by actionj_99
Here's Part 1 of the video (Part 2 will be posted in a day or so). Takes you all the way through removing the first spark plug... Comments appreciated. Some advice before you start:

1.) PLEASE USE METRIC TOOLS! This is a european car and guess what measuring system their engineers use? I see all these other DIY's saying to use SAE or English size sockets and such... It MIGHT work, but you run a big risk of rounding out the nuts/bolts! If you do that, you will need special tools to extract.

2.) Be patient and take your time (2-3 hours). Its tempting to do things right before a run or such, but trying to do a repair under time pressure is not ideal. You run a big risk of doing something wrong and then having to redo it.

3.) Try to do this on a level surface as you are removing a strut brace. And for your own safety should parking brake fail, etc...

+2

What spark plugs did you use or Recommend?

How many miles did you change them at?
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      04-09-2013, 11:54 AM   #20
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I used the BOSCH branded ZR5TPP33S plugs...

Car has 26K miles
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      12-23-2013, 02:54 PM   #21
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Thank you!

I'll be doing this soon!
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