Air Intake Clamps - Original or Standard?

Street · Post by **Street** » Sat May 07, 2022 8:58 am

Morning folks,
I'm planning to change out my TPS sensors and need to remove the intake manifold to get the one underneath it.
The manifold has 6 BMW clamps along the top that are a one time use and need a special crimp tool to apply.

So my question is do I replace with genuine clamps which are ridiculously priced compared to standard hose clamps or do I just resort to the tried and tested worm screw type hose clamps?

I'd love to keep the car as original as possible but am I being overly pedantic?
What would you guys do?

-Tom- · Post by **-Tom-** » Sat May 07, 2022 9:08 am

If you remove them carefully with earless CV boot pliers or good quality trim removal pliers (I say good quality … as the crap ones bend!), you will be able to reuse the old ones. It’s fiddly but doable. I don’t like the look or the idea of worm clamps near the throttle bodies.

The photo was screen grabbed a while back when I was trying to find this out.

Street · Post by **Street** » Sat May 07, 2022 9:15 am

Awesome Tom. Just what I was thinking.

I got my lazy backside up and phoned my local dealership. At £3.50 a clamp I'm just sticking to original.
Note to self that eBay and general internet isn't always cheaper than the dealers!

I'll have a scratch around for a pair of decent crimps. You can never have enough tools

DevonPaul · Post by **DevonPaul** » Sat May 07, 2022 9:30 am

Street wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 9:15 am Note to self that eBay and general internet isn't always cheaper than the dealers!

Always the first place these days. I spent hours online looking for a trim part for our 1980s Toyota. After finding someone who would remove it and pack it, the wife phoned Toyota, who supplied it within 48 hours for £1 more than the scrappy wanted for postage.

-Tom- · Post by **-Tom-** » Sat May 07, 2022 9:48 am

Street wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 9:15 am Awesome Tom. Just what I was thinking.

I got my lazy backside up and phoned my local dealership. At £3.50 a clamp I'm just sticking to original.
Note to self that eBay and general internet isn't always cheaper than the dealers!

I'll have a scratch around for a pair of decent crimps. You can never have enough tools

Good luck with it. There’s loads of decent tutorials online, but it’s an easy job other than those fiddly clips.

And yes agreed about the dealership prices for some things, and they’re usually quick at getting hold of things.

beanie · Post by **beanie** » Sat May 07, 2022 11:11 am

I found that sturdy short nose pliers made light work of the standard clips, whereas long nose tended to flex too much.

Worth having a couple of spares as the odd one might put up a fight and get damaged.

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Sat May 07, 2022 11:41 am

If you have any intention of taking it off 'regularly' and want to keep it looking OE then use the M5 airbox clamps that are jubillee type imo.
part# 07129952125

beanie · Post by **beanie** » Sat May 07, 2022 11:51 am

TomK wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 11:41 am If you have any intention of taking it off 'regularly' and want to keep it looking OE then use the M5 airbox clamps that are jubillee type imo.
part# 07129952125

Didn’t know that, definitely a better solution as the cars get older and inevitably need more regular dismantling.

philipw · Post by **philipw** » Sun May 08, 2022 10:27 am

90 degree long nosed pliers makes the job of reattaching the standard clamps easy for me. Removed and reinstalled them four times now over the years. This pliers is the one I have
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-B0845-D ... C44&sr=1-3

Agree with the opinions of others RE hose clamps, they are not professional looking and will take longer to install than the standard clamps once you nail the technique.

grannyknot · Post by **grannyknot** » Sun May 08, 2022 1:34 pm

I pitched those one time use clamps and replaced them with the screw clamps from a e24 M6, all round much easier to deal with.

: IMG_0518.JPG (192.25 KiB) Viewed 513 times

Street · Post by **Street** » Sun May 08, 2022 5:54 pm

I got it done today. It’s totally a technique thing. Thanks for the pointers everyone. I’ve order some CV boot joint pliers for next time.
Short nose pliers were my preferred once into position this time. I’ll defo get some spares though for the times ahead. Cleaned out the throttle bodies while there.

Have to admit turning the engine over for 5 mins after resetting the adaptions had the anxiety levels up a notch. All settled now though

NLW73 · Post by **NLW73** » Wed May 11, 2022 7:51 am

I asked the question of my BMW indy man

he said its choice really. jubilee clips easier to work with but the OEM pinch clips are supposed to give a tighter/better grip.

I tend to agree with him - for mr the jubilees would be a lot easier to work with as I am a ham fisted monkey when it comes to car DIY!!

Street · Post by **Street** » Thu May 12, 2022 9:11 pm

I’ve got 2 spare TPS sensors that arrived late in the post if anyone wants to replace theirs. Advertised in the for sale forum.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com