M54 Starter Motor

[Rockhopper]

The repair manual says its all done from the top and the only thing you have to remove is the air box. Is that right? I thought inlet manifold off was the only way to do it from the top?

 

[enuff_zed]

Did mine easily enough from the top.
Needed to remove the sound generator but don't recall removing the intake filter housing?

 

[pilch]

I did mine recently. Little bit from the top, little bit from underneath. Fortunately I have a two post lift so just slung it up in air and did what was easiest. Definitely no inlet manifold or airbox removal

 

[Zedebee]

Done this on a 2.5i, with car on the ground, and definitely no manifold removal. Easy enough but some of it is a bit blind. It helps if you have a “mirror on a stick” (I have an extendable one) and a good light source. And the right tools of course - female torx is required.

 

[MikeyH]

Did this on my 2.2 all from the top, really easy. No need to remove the manifold or Airbox but 2.2 doesn’t have a sound generator There’s a very good guide on here somewhere.

 

[Any1else]

Did it on my 3.0L M54 from the top. Removed the airbox and some ducting but didnt remove the manifold. Yes, access was tight and some of the install was performed by touch alone.

 

[kis]

Don’t think I removed anything on mine, everything was done by touch/feel. I watched a couple of YouTube videos where they remove the manifold to show you the process. E46 among others all use the M54. Simple enough just a bit fiddly when you can’t see what you’re doing.