M54 Remove starter without removing air manifold?

[Jezza21]

My starter motor's gone and I've got to replace it ASAP.

I've a 53 plate 3.0i M54 engine, it looks like the only way to get at the starter motor is to remove the air manifold first. From what I've found online getting the manifold out of one of these engines is not a quick job at all....

Does anyone know a way of getting to their starter motor without removing the air manifold?

Or shall I resign to an afternoon of swearing and cut knuckles?

 

[Smartbear]

My starter motor's gone and I've got to replace it ASAP.

I've a 53 plate 3.0i M54 engine, it looks like the only way to get at the starter motor is to remove the air manifold first. From what I've found online getting the manifold out of one of these engines is not a quick job at all....

Does anyone know a way of getting to their starter motor without removing the air manifold?

Or shall I resign to an afternoon of swearing and cut knuckles?

Can’t you reach it from underneath? :?
Rob

 

[Any1else]

You dont need to remove the manifold. You get enough space by just taking out the air box. Granted a lot is done by touch rather than sight but there is just enough room to get the job done. Its only two bolts and a couple of cables

Replaced mine last year and I didnt take out the manifold.

Check this post https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97004

 

[mjennings23]

To echo above, I've replaced mine too without touching the manifold. Awkward but doable, and I don't have slim arms either

 

[spazmochad]

Ehco the above, it is only a couple of bolts. The hard part was knocking it free. Think I perched on top of the engine whacking it in the end.

 

[Jezza21]

My goodness, how you folks managed to replace yours is beyond me! I’ve taken the air box out and located it, this is way more awkward than I realised

 

[Jezza21]

So I’ve got the Torx screws out, it for life of me I cannot get the starter motor out! It feels fused in there!

Any tips on how to grip / leverage / hammer it out of place?

 

[AlienZed]

Ive done both my Zeds,yes its a bit fiddly, get a heavy lump hammer head and tap it , may have to give it a few sharp blows and try get a bit of movement to wiggle it, its on 1/4 inch deep locating ring .
Just a bitof perseverance .

 

[Jezza21]

Perseverance and bit of aggressive yanking around and the bugger was off. New problem, can’t get the new starter motor over the pin to screw it in!

Why do I try these jobs...

 

[AlienZed]

I found it was atight fit getting the new one in , just get it ti bite then use the screws to pull it in,but keep tapping it to make sure it keeps line up

 

[colb]

They are a tight fit onto the locating dowl, put a dab of copperease grease on it to help it slip on and stop it seizing up over time, a few taps with a hammer should get it started then use the bolts to pull it fully in. I used a ratchet ring spanner on the bolts found there was just enough room in there to use it.