BMW 3 Series E46 Oil filter housing gasket, replacing (M52, M52 TU, M54 engines)

Oil filter housing bracket (pedestal), removing and installing (M52, M52 TU, M54 engines)

• Disconnect battery negative cable and cover cable end with insulating material.
• Loosen oil filter cover to allow oil in filter housing to drain into oil pan.
• Remove alternator drive belt and unbolt alternator from oil filter housing bracket.
• Empty power steering reservoir tank and then unbolt tank and move to one side (lines remain connected).
• Unbolt power steering pump from oil filter housing bracket pump (lines remain connected).
• Remove alternator drive belt tensioner.

• Disconnect electrical connector from oil pressure switch.
• Disconnect electrical connector for oil temperature switch.
• Disconnect VANOS solenoid oil pressure line from oil filter housing.
• Remove bolts (arrows) and remove complete oil filter housing bracket.

• Remove oil filter housing profile gasket and install new gasket (arrow).

Installation is reverse of removal. Keep in mind the following:

• BMW does not specify a unique torque for the oil filter housing bracket bolts. General tightening torque based on bolt grade is given below.

• Be sure to align bracket to locating dowels (arrows).

• Reconnect all harness connectors previously removed.

• Check engine oil level and power steering fluid level upon job completion.

• Reconnect battery negative cable.