Hi , have to fit a new starter to the MC, as many will know its buried underneath the plenom (airbox) have bought the correct circular clips to use when refitting the box to the 6 rubber pipes that connect it to the throttle bodies, does anybody know what the special tool is that I need to release the old clips and then tighten the new ones. Is it BMW
Specific or a generic type that I can buy somewhere ? Many thanks ps didnt want to just use jubilee clips for the sake of originality.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:54 am
by RedUn
Depends how much you want to faff, some decent needle nose pliers will work, or some pipe grips that aren't worn.
Or for 20 quid get some clip pliers they'll work.
Or buy the bmw tool for 100
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:08 am
by AndyBeech
RedUn wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:54 am
Depends how much you want to faff, some decent needle nose pliers will work, or some pipe grips that aren't worn.
Or for 20 quid get some clip pliers they'll work.
Or buy the bmw tool for 100
Ha, yeah it's a hateful job with pliers but it will work, eventually! What I've used the times I've done it. Just need a bit of time and patience as there's 2 or 3 which are obscured by the pipework which are a total bastard. You can reuse the clips as long as you haven't demolished them getting them off, which again is easy to do for a few of them and how much of a rush you are in! Frustration can lead to flathead screwdriver rage and just prizing them off.
As RedUn suggested, wouldn't waste your money on special tools. Just invest in patience and a beer to calm you down when the inevitable rage happens! Satisfying when they do clip in though!
While your there, I can recommend giving the throttle bodies and linkages a clean down if you've not done it a while. Also worth taking the idle control valve off and giving that a blast of throttle body cleaner, get some of the gunk out.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 7:56 am
by philipw
A long angled needle nosed pliers is all you need. I have removed mine a few times now and it takes a max of a few mins to remove/reinstall the clips.
Have done mine well removed them and just used a mix of small normal pliers and long nose pliers and a small terminal screw driver to help release the clip about half an hour to remove the air box.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:51 pm
by mad4slalom
RedUn wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:54 am
Depends how much you want to faff, some decent needle nose pliers will work, or some pipe grips that aren't worn.
100
Or for 20 quid get some clip pliers they'll work.
Or buy the bmw tool for 100
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:52 pm
by mad4slalom
PDJ wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:35 am
Have done mine well removed them and just used a mix of small normal pliers and long nose pliers and a small terminal screw driver to help release the clip about half an hour to remove the air box.
many thanks
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:53 pm
by mad4slalom
philipw wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 7:56 am
A long angled needle nosed pliers is all you need. I have removed mine a few times now and it takes a max of a few mins to remove/reinstall the clips.
RedUn wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:54 am
Depends how much you want to faff, some decent needle nose pliers will work, or some pipe grips that aren't worn.
Or for 20 quid get some clip pliers they'll work.
Or buy the bmw tool for 100
Ha, yeah it's a hateful job with pliers but it will work, eventually! What I've used the times I've done it. Just need a bit of time and patience as there's 2 or 3 which are obscured by the pipework which are a total bastard. You can reuse the clips as long as you haven't demolished them getting them off, which again is easy to do for a few of them and how much of a rush you are in! Frustration can lead to flathead screwdriver rage and just prizing them off.
As RedUn suggested, wouldn't waste your money on special tools. Just invest in patience and a beer to calm you down when the inevitable rage happens! Satisfying when they do clip in though!
While your there, I can recommend giving the throttle bodies and linkages a clean down if you've not done it a while. Also worth taking the idle control valve off and giving that a blast of throttle body cleaner, get some of the gunk out.
RedUn wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:54 am
Depends how much you want to faff, some decent needle nose pliers will work, or some pipe grips that aren't worn.
Or for 20 quid get some clip pliers they'll work.
Or buy the bmw tool for 100
Ha, yeah it's a hateful job with pliers but it will work, eventually! What I've used the times I've done it. Just need a bit of time and patience as there's 2 or 3 which are obscured by the pipework which are a total bastard. You can reuse the clips as long as you haven't demolished them getting them off, which again is easy to do for a few of them and how much of a rush you are in! Frustration can lead to flathead screwdriver rage and just prizing them off.
As RedUn suggested, wouldn't waste your money on special tools. Just invest in patience and a beer to calm you down when the inevitable rage happens! Satisfying when they do clip in though!
While your there, I can recommend giving the throttle bodies and linkages a clean down if you've not done it a while. Also worth taking the idle control valve off and giving that a blast of throttle body cleaner, get some of the gunk out.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:28 pm
by philipw
The first time I removed it, I followed this guide. See 1 min 20 secs for the clips, needle nosed pliers (longer the better for leverage) and flathead makes it easy. I removed the fuel rail as well for access - its only two 10mm bolts.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:58 pm
by PDJ
Just ordered 4 clips will be re using the best 2 and keeping 2 as spares cost from BMW less than £3.00 each next day delivery.
In the video he only shows you doing the easy 2 the others are just fiddley.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:24 pm
by mad4slalom
philipw wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:28 pm
The first time I removed it, I followed this guide. See 1 min 20 secs for the clips, needle nosed pliers (longer the better for leverage) and flathead makes it easy. I removed the fuel rail as well for access - its only two 10mm bolts.
great video, thanks for that
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 5:48 pm
by Z4M-2006
You dont need to take off the airbox to change the starter motor on an M car
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:43 pm
by mad4slalom
Z4M-2006 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2020 5:48 pm
You dont need to take off the airbox to change the starter motor on an M car
Wow! Tell me moreMay have a go myself as an indy just quoted 300 quid. Another ex bmw tech reckoned he may be able to wangle it out from underneath. Some sat cabin filter and coolant expansion tank needs moving too.
Would be grateful for any advice on best way to go about it.
Plenum chamber pipe clips
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:56 pm
by Z4M-2006
You can get to the bolts by reaching down onto the bellhousing.
The plenum can stay in position,you have enough space to get it out.
ps didnt want to just use jubilee clips for the sake of originality.
ps didnt want to just use jubilee clips for the sake of originality.
