Couple of e39 questions (525d)

Dale Parish

Hi guys,

I did an oil change at the weekend but when I went to replace the oil filter I notice the previous owner/mechanic had the grip at the top of the oil filter cap broken.

Anyway I ordered what I thought to be a replacement from eBay (there was a car selector in the listing which catered for my car which is a 525d) and I received it today.

The lid at the top is not the same, seems like it's from an e46.
I am just wondering if this will still work with my car before I take off the existing one. It's stuck on pretty tight so I might have to split it to get it off.

Here is the existing lid


and the replacement...


Finally, a long shot but does anyone have any idea what this could be for?
The cabling feeds back underneath where the right hand side air filter is (near the oil filter cap).

SpannerMonkey

Dale Parish wrote: »

Hi guys,

I did an oil change at the weekend but when I went to replace the oil filter I notice the previous owner/mechanic had the grip at the top of the oil filter cap broken.

Anyway I ordered what I thought to be a replacement from eBay (there was a car selector in the listing which catered for my car which is a 525d) and I received it today.

The lid at the top is not the same, seems like it's from an e46.
I am just wondering if this will still work with my car before I take off the existing one. It's stuck on pretty tight so I might have to split it to get it off.

Here is the existing lid


and the replacement...


Finally, a long shot but does anyone have any idea what this could be for?
The cabling feeds back underneath where the right hand side air filter is (near the oil filter cap).

It will probably fit but id get the right part . That will be a pain in the ass to open and close amd could cause leaks if not tight enough. Go to bmw they aint that expensive for this kind of stuff.

As for the second bit . It could be a point for jump starting the car . Looks like a home made job. Its not on my E39 525d anyway or any other bmw ive owned

Harcrid

Is that a switch? Looks like one.

SpannerMonkey

go here and ask www.bmw-driver.net/forum or www.bmwhaus.ie/forum

visual

Use a band type or belt type oil wrench to remove old filter housing and fit new.

They shouldn't be fitted very tight hand tight is enough

No idea what the switch is for. Its not standard

SpannerMonkey

visual wrote: »

Use a band type or belt type oil wrench to remove old filter housing and fit new.

You wont fit one in there its the same engine as mine there is 0 room around the side thats why the nut is on the top and you need a bit of room to use those strap wrenches properly

Mandzhalas

For a switch thing it could be alarm sensor for closed Bonet. When bonet is closed switch depressed,and if alarm activated and someone opens bonnet alarm will sound.although on petrol 525 switch looks different. I have mine disconnected as its common fault on e39, and activates alarm randomly

TJJP

As to the strange switch, no idea I'm sorry to say, but here's a pic from my old 525d that might help. I'm guessing it's the same general area?

unkel

The replacement oil filter does not look genuine / OEM. Most BMW filters use a 36mm cap like your original one in your first picture.

SpannerMonkey

Mandzhalas wrote: »

For a switch thing it could be alarm sensor for closed Bonet. When bonet is closed switch depressed,and if alarm activated and someone opens bonnet alarm will sound.although on petrol 525 switch looks different. I have mine disconnected as its common fault on e39, and activates alarm randomly

thought that aswell but it looked a little low down for the bonnet to depress it

Dale Parish

Hi all,

@TJJP Yep it's just above the water tank in your picture.

I don't think the switch is a sensor for the bonnet; it's a bit too low down.
The switch also has 3 positions (backward, middle/neutral and forward). The car starts and runs normally in all 3 positions.

Regarding the oil filter cap.. seems to be a definite pain in the ass to send it back.. I will try my local Motor Factors tomorrow to see if they'll be in stock..

Cheers all!

TJJP

Well in which case mine never had anything there and it still gave me three years and 60,000+ trouble free miles (prop shaft coupler and engine mounts aside -€400 or so all in) so other than the mystery I'd say you're grand. Best of luck with a lovely motor.

burke027

TJJP wrote: »

Well in which case mine never had anything there and it still gave me three years and 60,000+ trouble free miles (prop shaft coupler and engine mounts aside -€400 or so all in) so other than the mystery I'd say you're grand. Best of luck with a lovely motor.

The new oil filter cap won't fit it's for the newer engine. I'm sure it's to big as said the only way is to crack that open and fit a new one

visual

The strap oil wrench should get off oil fiter cap without damage. It will allow you change the paper filter and refit giving you time to source new cap