[DanMZe90]

OK, with the help of the forum I have the knowledge to replace the EGR and main thermostats. I plan to do the work at the same time with the brunt of the work being the main thermostat.

I also need to replace the glow plug controller unit. I can't seem to find a DIY or anything that tells me how hard/easy it is for my engine apart from this thread:

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/...blems-t124363/

where someone states:

"The controller is a pig dog to change especially in cold weather as the cables get stiff but is located below the starter on the right of the engine facing backwards and is held on with two impossible to reach 10mm nuts. You won't like that job."

but I think it is for an E46. Further on in post #7 you get to this:

Replacing the glowplug module on the e90 330d:

Remove engine cover

Drain coolant system

Remove top two coolant pipes above the glowplug module (situated on the right and side of the engine towards the back):
glowplug1.jpg

Undo the two 10mm nuts securing the glowplug module

Withdraw the module and disconnect the wiring loom (there should be enough slack to get it quite a way out)
WP_20121208_004.jpg

Re attach the wiring loom to the new module

Slip the new module onto the securing studs

Replace the 10mm nuts

Re-connect the coolant pipes (I needed to put a bit of vaseline on the seals to allow them to slip back on)

Re-Fill the coolant system

Replace the engine cover

Start the engine and follow usual coolant bleeding procedures

Stop the engine, make cup of tea

Go for a drive and clear error codes

which makes it sound relatively "easy"....I'm thinking that if I'm draining the coolant to replace the main stat is it a good time to attempt the controller unit or is it a lengthier operation than I'm imagining? Has anyone done it on their 330D or the M57N2 in particular?

Thanks

Dan

[dappamikey]

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by dappamikey

This method is genuinely really easy. Just take your time. You don't even have to unclip half of the pipes he does.

[DanMZe90]

Wow, thanks for that find, didn't think to look for 530D, doh! Well that look like a lot less than the 2 hours quoted or the 4 hours quoted to do this and both stats!

[sparkymarky]

I did this in my e90 m57 33pd without removing anything iirc. Didnt drain the coolant either. was tricky but did it. Have to be good wirh a torch and fingertips to get the bolts in. I may have undone the dipstick but thats about it

[DanMZe90]

Thanks Sparky, gives me hope that I can do it myself!

[DanMZe90]

Well I got round to replacing just the controller with a genuine part from Cotswold BMW.

What a PITA job, not technically difficult just fiddly and my hands are now raw with grazes...anyway, afterwards I ran Carly, cleared up existing fault codes and have re-run a few times to be sure and STILL, all 6 glow plugs are coming up faulty.

Unless the unit is faulty or actually ALL my glow plugs need changing, I can't see what else it could be. I'm assuming if it was a connection problem it wouldn't work at all. Not happy, although if this has happened and I had paid for labour I would have been more p**sed off!

[sparkymarky]

Only thing is to remove all six and check them with a multimeter Inlet manifold off etc. Time consuming as hell job.

[DanMZe90]

Bugger. That is quite an involved job after looking at youtube, I might as well get them all replaced by the indie.

I did clock a post on a forum where a 330D owner said his errors disappeared only after the controller and all plugs were changed although that could mean he tried the controller first when maybe it didn't need to be changed and was all the plugs after all. My car is on 155k and I've had it since 80k / 4 years and I can't see any evidence of it having plugs changed. Not sure how likely, if they are at the end of their life, that they would get to the same failing point at roughly the same time.

Dan

[DanMZe90]

LOL, the OP on this thread had exactly the same issues as me:

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/...-code-t129796/

So the plan of action is get the plugs changed by the indie but still doing the thermostats myself!