Removing the component carrier

Preliminary work 

• Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
• Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER ON LEFT AND RIGHT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE TOP .
• Refer to REMOVING BOTH FRONT-END STRUTS .
• Refer to REMOVING FRONT CROSS CONNECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
• Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (TENSION STRUT ON SHOCK TOWER REMOVED) .
• Refer to REMOVING TOP CLEAN AIR PIPE .
• Refer to REMOVING BOTTOM CLEAN AIR PIPE .
• Refer to REMOVING CHARGE AIR LINE .
• Refer to REMOVING THE THROTTLE BODY .
• Refer to REMOVING THE DRIVE BELT FOR ALTERNATOR .
• Refer to REMOVING THE ALTERNATOR (540i 2017-2020) , or REMOVING THE STARTER MOTOR GENERATOR (540i 2021-2022, 540i xDrive 2021-2022)
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION OR FRONT THRUST FIELD .
• Refer to REMOVING THE UNDERBODY PROTECTION OF THE STEERING GEAR AND THRUST FIELD RESPECTIVELY .
• Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FROM THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
• Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FROM THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
• Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINES FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
• Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINES FOR THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT LINE BETWEEN THE COOLANT PUMP AND CYLINDER HEAD .

Component carrier 

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Unlock plug connection (1) and disconnect.
• Loosen screws (2).
• Slide the air conditioning compressor (3) out and set it aside.

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Loosen screw (1).
• Thread out holder (2) and set aside.

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Unlock and loosen coolant line (1).
• Catch and dispose of leakage coolant.

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Loosen clamp (1).

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Loosen screws (1).

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  CAUTION: Heavy component. 
  Heavy components can lead to injury or damage. 

  • Remove and install heavy components with the aid of another person/other persons.
• Loosen screws (1).

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  NOTE: Set the air conditioning compressor aside with a support person to slacken the screws on the component carrier more easily.
• Guide the component carrier (1) out of the connecting pipe (2) and remove.
• Catch and dispose of leakage coolant.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.