e36 Removing intake manifold for starter? stuck! details and pics

[goodcat]

I have a background with Miata's and DSM's (odd mix I know hehe). I just picked up a 1995 318is. I've never worked on a BMW before. I've found some systems to be superb for working on, and others not. The starter is one that is not!

Below is a picture from the manual. It says to disconnect the main harness. I've searched hard and even taken apart the windshield wiper bay area and am positive there is no main disconnect. The picture would advise I then "remove the cable ducting bolts" and set it aside.

Unfortunely, I can't do this because of the extreme amount of connections it has running directly through the middle of the lower intake manifold. I disconnected darn near every wire in that freaking engine and was able to inch the lower intake manifold out a bit. However, there are still wires running around down toward the starter I can barely reach.

My question, simply stated is...
1. Do I have to disconnect the wires to the starter through whatever means in order to even get the intake manifold out, then replace the starter and pinch in the intake manifold to rewire it.

Or
2. Is there a simply way to go about this. I've labled everything, but on an engine I've never worked on, I find it extremely silly that I have to do this much just to get the intake manifold off...

Pics are:
1st - from manual with instruction on wireing harness
2nd - my mess


http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r283/symphonicreverb/w1.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r283/symphonicreverb/w2.jpg

[randomy]

The starter on these cars is a bitch to replace. You either have to remove the manifold to get at from the top, or remove the tranny to get at it from the bottom. In the end, I took mine to a BMW mechanic to get it replaced.

Also in the diagram you posted, it says that early engines do not have a main disconnect. It probably means OBD1 engines, which yours is.

[goodcat]

Yay! I know you had to remove the intake manifold, which is where I'm at. I was seriously considering cutting the main harness and taking off the harness box on top of the intake manifold and resoldering everything. lol

I guess I have to disconnect all lines from starter and after replacing plug everything back in with tight quarters and a half connected intake manifold in my way. ughhh

[randomy]

FYI: The mechanic dropped the transmission to do mine. He said it was much easier than trying to go from the top. Granted he has a transmission jack.

[Albertan]

I just finished putting mine together. I had the exact same comments as you do when I took it apart. Key thing, remove the alternator and the lower intake support brace. That will allow you to be able to see the starter wires.
You don't have to remove the intake to do this. The wires going through the lower manifold are truly a POOR design.
Get at the bolts from the bottom.

[ducky328i]

not sure what its like on m42/4 cars, but the only time i've EVER seen my starter was during my manual swap...i'd say if i were to have to replace my starter, i'd prolly go from the bottom...again.

[ELIBEEMER]

Cut and splice....is how I did it.

easiest way to do the starter...might as well do all intake manifold gaskets aswell.

[goodcat]

After being this deep in, I'm going to finish, but I absolutely will drop the transmission next time if I have to do it again! I hopefully will have some time to work on it tomorrow, can't wait to be rolling!

[armyfreak933]

I just pulled my whole motor out. it took me less time then trying to drop the trans or pull everything apart.

[goodcat]

Wish I hadn't unplugged all these wires now. Could have done an engine swap while I was down there!

[ross1]

Don't cut and splice, this is asking for corrosion at a later date. There is a big round harness connection just ahead of the firewall on the driver's side.
While you are under the intake man. have a real good look at all those hoses that just as much fun to replace as the starter.

[goodcat]

I busted a few of the hoses trying to get everything apart, so I'm already gonna have a great time getting it together. I'll look for that wiring harness. when I was testing the clutch switch I didn't notice anything, I'll check it out again. Thanks for all the help guys!

[Tonka1]

I'm replacing my intake gaskets.. Got everything unplugged. Working at trying to remember where all the plugs went and not to forget to connect any of them. Any diagrams out there?

[Andys93]

same problem as op, i have everything disconnected and it inched up but i cant seem to get it off completely. Do the fuel liens running to the fuel rail need to be unplugged to get it off completely?

[Russell042]

I replaced my starter in my old 318is from the top.. thought it was pretty simple actually.. i just took off the intake manifold and pushed the bottom half to the side, unbolted the starter and pulled it out (kinda tricky) but dont drop your trans, thats too much work for a starter.

[BradR127]

I replaced my starter in my old 318is from the top.. thought it was pretty simple actually.. i just took off the intake manifold and pushed the bottom half to the side, unbolted the starter and pulled it out (kinda tricky) but dont drop your trans, thats too much work for a starter.

The starter for the 4 cylinder is totally different......

OP: Yeah, it's just a serious pain in the ass. As I've said many times here, it is the only job that, hindsight being 20/20, I actually would have paid someone to do for me. Keep plugging away at it. I found it helped to use a socket wrench like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944835000P

[bdpheavygane]

I replaced my starter in my old 318is from the top.. thought it was pretty simple actually.. i just took off the intake manifold and pushed the bottom half to the side, unbolted the starter and pulled it out (kinda tricky) but dont drop your trans, thats too much work for a starter.

Great advice, did it the same to replace the shitty plastic hose connectors. Was the olny way to get to them, btw the one one the back of the head is a bitch. Might have to bend the fire wall a lil. Be sure to to remove plastic vents n unclip wiring harness. Pretty time consuming and a bitch. But you can get to started wires I know if I had to I could have got the starter off. Not sure why but all gaskets looked brand new. The problem is space loosen up lower intake to get to other wires don't cut!!! Wish I would have found all this before I started but o well

[epmedia]

Interesting.
My Haynes says to just get the dipstick tube out of the way.
Work from the top for the top bolt, and work from the bottom for the bottom bolt.
Is that a lie?

[013137]

I unbolted my cross-member (4 bolts) and unbolted my driveshaft (3 bolts), then the engine and trans tilted in enough of an angle for me to get to my starter from the bottom.

The hardest part was just removing and reinstalling the wires that go to the starter.