325i Sport heatshield under sparkies....

[Ritz]

I'm buying a real beauty next month, but when I last had a closer look at it a few weeks ago, I noticed the heatshield under the spark plugs was almost perished/corroded near the exhaust manifold.

I've heard its part of the exhaust manifold, and if left unattened, it may cause the manifold to blow and mean a pig of a job. Any ideas? Any members had a similar experience of this on their Sport?

Cheers in advance.
Ritz

[Nelly]

It's not really a pig of a job, the heat shield come as a pair and are also the gaskets for the outlet manifold (3X ports each)

Just remove the 12X 12mm nuts holding on the manifold and it will slide off the studs towards the drivers side inner wing.

Most of the time the stud comes out with the nut so just remember what location they came from.

When replacing the new gaskets (which locate over the studs) and manifold, don't put one nut on and tighten the life out it, put them in loose at first so you can locate all 12 studs/holes.

Check in the Haynes manual for the torque setting (can't remember it of hand) as it is "SO" easy to snap the studs - then it works out expensive to remove the head and have it sorted.

Hope this helps you out fella, Neil.

PS, should take up to an hour to do if you've not done it before.

[Ritz]

Cheers for that Neil. Sounds like a job for the garage really, I'm not that keen on doing it plus have no torque wrenches. I just wanted to know this since I can use it as a bargaining tool when I buy it.

[dazleeds]

also make sure you buy the genuine bmw ones

the ecp and gsf ones are crap
took the last set off and went for genuine as i was getting lots of ticking with the pattern versions

Daz

[gooner1]

Ritz its an easy job mate,unless like on mine the previous owner has rounded off all 6 of thenuts
at the bottom of the manifold.Just spent best part of two weeks laying under car attempting to free them.

[Nelly]

also make sure you buy the genuine bmw ones

the ecp and gsf ones are crap
took the last set off and went for genuine as i was getting lots of ticking with the pattern versions

Daz

Agreed Dazzle - but if it's not an option and your stuck with after market shield's - line the port rings with some "Fire Gum" readily available from any motor factors - just don't use to much or you'll have it rattling around in the center box for a while lol.

Neil.

[Chris-W]

If you're not going to the dealer for them, make sure you get the type which are edged with metal, à la dealer, as it's the nasty floppy ones which are no good. Can't remember the makers' name.