[Zach1328]

Does anyone know what would prevent the charge pipe from easily disconnecting from the throttle body? I've undone all clamps, bolts, etc and put a ton of force trying to disconnect the charge pipe from the throttle body.
It seems like something it caught under the charge pipe where it attaches to the throttle body. I put my hand under there and there aren't any clamps or bolts than need to be undone.

Any ideas? All the videos I've seen say this is self-explanatory and you simply need to undo all the clamps/bolts.

[NGEE]

That's pretty much it - just the one clip. Do you have all other connections uncoupled (IC pipe and both diverter valves)? There is an o-ring on the CP-TB connection that makes it a little tight. If all other connections are uncoupled, you should have enough play to wiggle it loose.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by NGEE

That's pretty much it - just the one clip. Do you have all other connections uncoupled (IC pipe and both diverter valves)? There is an o-ring on the CP-TB connection that makes it a little tight. If all other connections are uncoupled, you should have enough play to wiggle it loose.

Yes all other connections are uncoupled. How much force is safe to apply to the Charge Pipe? I'm 6'2" and almost 200 pounds - I put all my weight onto it and shook it pretty violently to the point the car was rocking side to side...
Still wouldn't budge.

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Stock CP? Doesn't sound like you removed the t40 bolt at the bottom of the CP . For me it was one clamp by the IC inlet, the t40 bolt, and the C clip by the throttle body.

Hmm 07 e90. Think you CP is a little different than the '10 e92. Its shorter though AFAIK so should be easier.

I'll see if I can Google something up.

View post on imgur.com

View post on imgur.com

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by e92_enthusiast_1

Doesn't sound like you removed the t40 bolt at the bottom of the CP .

Good point!

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Good point!

Where is the t40 bolt? I've looked under the CP-TB connection point ~10x and haven't seen any bolts. Also, I put my hand under there multiple times and can't find a bolt?
Isn't a t40 massive? I would imagine I would have seen or felt it by now??

This is on my '08 535i by the way. I was waiting to do the 335i after as I figured my 5 would have a little more room to work with in the engine bay.

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Did you take off the airbox? On the 3 its under the front outlet from the airbox. Right next to the alternator. So its kinda hidden and needs to be removed or at least lifted up to see. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this configuration is true in the 5 series but I imagine its very similar. I can go outside and snap a pic if need. On my post above there is a pic but that pic is with the airbox completely removed just FYI.

Originally Posted by Zach1328

Where is the t40 bolt? I've looked under the CP-TB connection point ~10x and haven't seen any bolts. Also, I put my hand under there multiple times and can't find a bolt?
Isn't a t40 massive? I would imagine I would have seen or felt it by now??

This is on my '08 535i by the way. I was waiting to do the 335i after as I figured my 5 would have a little more room to work with in the engine bay.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Zach1328

This is on my '08 535i by the way.

Oh hell, I don't know a thing about the '08 535. N54, yes? Should be similar.

The T40 bolt is featured prominently in e92-enthusiast's photo.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by e92_enthusiast_1

Did you take off the airbox? On the 3 its under the front outlet from the airbox. Right next to the alternator. So its kinda hidden and needs to be removed or at least lifted up to see. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this configuration is true in the 5 series but I imagine its very similar. I can go outside and snap a pic if need.

Yes, the entire airbox is out including all of the piping. I'm trying to clean my intake valves so I have most of the engine bay stripped down.

Looking at this guide: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12258
I have done everything up to the throttle body step where I popped the clip up from the TB-CP connection, followed the CP to the to where its mounted to a bracket (I believe thats the t40 you're referring to), and loosened the clamp all the way at the front of the engine bay where the CP connects to the IC.

It seems to be stuck underneath the CP where it attaches to the TB. The top of the TB-CP connection is wiggling a little bit - but something underneath the CP-TB connection itself is preventing the CP from breaking loose.

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Yeah that's definitely it. I'm thinking maybe you just need to put a little elbow grease into it. Although it sounds like you did already. I'm confused. Let us know when you get it. On a side note my broken CP came off easily cause it was broken where yours is stuck. I struggled to get he new one on cause it was such a snug fit. Think you might be having my same issue but vice versa if that makes sense. The main problem is there's not alot of give North and South cause of how its connected. Almost like you don't have enough room to pull it out.

Originally Posted by Zach1328

Yes, the entire airbox is out including all of the piping. I'm trying to clean my intake valves so I have most of the engine bay stripped down.

Looking at this guide: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12258
I have done everything up to the throttle body step where I popped the clip up from the TB-CP connection, followed the CP to the to where its mounted to a bracket (I believe thats the t40 you're referring to), and loosened the clamp all the way at the front of the engine bay where the CP connects to the IC.

It seems to be stuck underneath the CP where it attaches to the TB. The top of the TB-CP connection is wiggling a little bit - but something underneath the CP-TB connection itself is preventing the CP from breaking loose.

[X_Drive]

Take the big lock clip entirely out of the pipe. Try not to drop it, then jiggle jiggle, up and down while pulling backwards towards you. Sometimes that clip is still slightly locked on the TB. Other than that it should come off pretty easily.

[e92_enthusiast_1]

This too. The guide says to pry it up a bit but I recommend taking all the way off. But like x_drive says be careful not to drop it onto your undertray.

Originally Posted by X_Drive

Take the big lock clip entirely out of the pipe. Try not to drop it, then jiggle jiggle, up and down while pulling backwards towards you. Sometimes that clip is still slightly locked on the TB. Other than that it should come off pretty easily.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by e92_enthusiast_1

Yeah that's definitely it. I'm thinking maybe you just need to put a little elbow grease into it. Although it sounds like you did already. I'm confused. Let us know when you get it.

Sadly I've already spent nearly 3 hours trying to figure out this charge pipe removal. I put a LOT of force onto the CP and it won't budge, so I've lost hope that its possible to remove without some professional shop equipment.

I don't know anyone personally who is any more capable of doing this than I am so it looks like I'm going to have to pay an indy shop to do the work for me and wait to get a Jb4/DCI for my 335i.
Thanks for trying though guys! I was really hoping I just missed some kind of bolt/clamp underneath the CP-TB connection point.

[X_Drive]

Originally Posted by e92_enthusiast_1

This too. The guide says to pry it up a bit but I recommend taking all the way off. But like x_drive says be careful not to drop it onto your undertray.

I call those the "Jesus," clips. Because every time one is dropped someone calls for the good Lord.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by X_Drive

I call those the "Jesus," clips. Because every time one is dropped someone calls for the good Lord.

LOL! Thanks for the laugh - I needed it after this PITA CP removal attempt!
I'll give it another shot with the clip completely off and see if I have any luck. I already lost a Torx down in the engine bay somewhere, so hopefully I'll have better luck with hanging on to the clip!

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by X_Drive

I call those the "Jesus," clips. Because every time one is dropped someone calls for the good Lord.

"Calls for" is a nice way of putting it I usually "call for" JFC.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Zach1328

hopefully I'll have better luck with hanging on to the clip!

Whatever you do don't let on that you are the least bit worried about dropping it - that guarantees it will be dropped every time!

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Funny thing is I dropped mine and luckily it bounced near the edge of the tray by the wheel well and was able to reach it barely w/o unscrewing the tray. Yeah man I prayed I wouldn't have to remove the belly. Its like 100 screws lol.

Originally Posted by X_Drive

I call those the "Jesus," clips. Because every time one is dropped someone calls for the good Lord.

[X_Drive]

The worst is when you don't hear it hit the bottom. ting ting....aw crap.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by X_Drive

Take the big lock clip entirely out of the pipe. Try not to drop it, then jiggle jiggle, up and down while pulling backwards towards you. Sometimes that clip is still slightly locked on the TB. Other than that it should come off pretty easily.

Thank you so much!!! This actually worked. I didn't think the clip would be strong enough to hold it down that much but apparently it was!
Still took a lot of pulling but it came off!
Now onto the TB and then finally the intake manifold! Thanks again guys!

[X_Drive]

Originally Posted by Zach1328

Thank you so much!!! This actually worked. I didn't think the clip would be strong enough to hold it down that much but apparently it was!
Still took a lot of pulling but it came off!
Now onto the TB and then finally the intake manifold! Thanks again guys!

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Yay!