miggy Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 So I noticed that there was this bad leak coming from something important in the engine. Took a little effort searching at RealOEM's database what these things were. Finally found them and they were actually Solenoid Valves. The diagram from RealOEM showed O-Rings so it was kinda obvious the leak was attributed to the o-rings failing. So I took the part numbers and bought them at our stealership. Got the set (2 small green & 2 big black O-Rings) for $10. Part numbers are at the link to RealOEM below. RealOEM http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...hg=11&fg=15 So if you've got a leaking Solenoid Valve in your N42 engine. This guide is for you... What you need: Flathead Screw driver (which I got from the e46's toolkit under the trunklid) no. 10 wrench (which I got from the e46's toolkit under the trunklid) Clean cloths 1. Light up your engine with work lights. (I did this at night). You would want to let the engine cool a little bit too. The engine was really hot when I touched them so I let them sit a bit. 2. Remove the cover(suction silencer) with the BMW emblem on it. This is easily done by lifting two expanding rivets near the grill. 3. Locate the solenoid valves. They are the one with fork like brackets and are beside each other. (You can see the leak in the pictures below) 4. Remove the connectors by pushing down on its lock. Really fancy lock. Way to go BMW! (There was some Oil that got inside the connectors. Cleaned them out using some good 'ol contact cleaner which I used to clean the MAF a while back) 5. Remove the brackets using your no.10 wrench. Do it slowly, being careful you don't let them fall into the eternal abyss. It will take you forever to get them out if you drop them. 6. Now slowly wiggle and turn the solenoid valves. They should pop out no problem. You might want to keep a cloth handy as there will be some dripping oil. 7. Inspect your solenoid valves and locate the O-rings. You can see how messed up the O-Rings were in my situation. They were basically plastic now and one of them actually broke in half! 8. Remove the messed up O-rings and pop the new ones in. As seen in the picture below, there should be a green small o-ring and a big black one. Try to clean as you go... Before After 9. Insert the solenoid valves back in place. You should feel a faint snap as the rubber O-Rings lock into their place in the engine. 10. Reassemble the rest and you're good to go! :craig: Feel free to ask if you have some questions... Hope I could help out. This is my first time making a DIY by the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH0X Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 I have this N42 engine in my compact, didnt know they used it in other bms! Good guide, I will keep it in mind should I notice any leaks! Seems a simple fix! How comes your engine is SO clean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Good DIY pal. Having just hit 50000mls will replace mine as a matter of course. Thanks again, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
