528e Intake Manifold removal

[gregmonty]

In the process of removing the intake manifold (1983 528e). Stuck with the one long bolt of 12 that does clear when I slide the manifold away from the engine block. What is preventing the manifold from sliding off easily? I have been told that I might have to remove the water pump...with a 95%+ probability that it will break in the process and have to be replaced. Other thoughts: is the vent tube stopping the motion? do I need to remove the vent tube first before sliding the intake manifold off? What tool or method should I use to get the vent tube off? I have also been told to try double-nuts on the one long bolt, and trying to reverse it out of the engine block. Should I try that? Will I break the bolt? Also, the manifold looks like it will hit and be blocked by the oil dip stick tube....am I worried for nothing? Any help would be welcomed. I am truly stuck at this time. AND a RELATED Question: When I took off the throttle body, the gasket was cracked. Could that have been the reason for very rough running engine? Or is it more likely that I had an intake manifold leak....which is what I am working so hard to fix at the present time?

[davez525]

If the 83' has an M20 engine (I dont recall) the water pump is no where near the intake.

Using 2 nuts tightened together would work fine & the bolt shouldnt break but, if it does the manifold will slide off & you can replace the bolt (stud) anyway.

The one thing that maybe interfering (again, if its an M20) might be the thermostat housing with the water temp sensor sticking up. remove both of them at the same time.

Good luck.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

There are no bolts that hold the manifold on, it's just 12mm nuts. The only thing i can think of that would be a problem is the oil drain tube which runs down under the manifold. THis can be tricky to gewt out. You'll need to compress it then remove it.

[gregmonty]

Thanks to responses from the web site, and some perseverence, I have finally this weekend removed the 528e intake manifold. Took off the Thermostat body held in place with two nuts on studs. It was just barely in the way. Additionally, the last response was correct about the 'oil drainage tube' that runs vertically from the manifold. This is referred to in the origninal manual from BMW in 1983 as a 'vent tube.' It was extremely difficult to remove. I tried everything that I could think of to depress the spring and the tube at the base, but in the end used brute force. I was able to insert a screw driver at the top, and use leverage and force, and some repetitive movements to drive the vent tube downward and clear it from the intake manifold. At that point, the manifold came clear easily of the last long 'stud.' And the best news of all: When I went to take off the intake manifold gaskets, that I felt were the issue with the engine, one of them was cracked in half, and very likely the main problem with the rough running engine. Will have it all back together by next weekend, and will give it a test drive. Thanks to all who gave advice.....a major success...

[gregmonty]

Jared was absolutely right. I used some terms that were not accurate. First, 12mm nuts hold the manifold in place...correct. Second, studs are in the engine not bolts. My apology to all.
And yes it was extremely difficult to compress the vent tube downward. It must get gunked up in the insert at the bottom, as it took major mechanical force to compress the tube downward. The spring was not the issue, it must be junk that has built up at the bottom of the tube over the 21 years I have had this wonderful car....275k miles and runs like a charm when it doesn't have a broken intake manifold gasket.....thx.