Removing the cylinder head gasket

WARNING: Hot surfaces.
Risk of burning!

Perform all work only on components that have cooled down.

WARNING: Working on fuel system.
Risk of fire! Danger of explosion!

When working on the fuel system, make sure the workstation has sufficient ventilation, e.g., by means of extraction.
Tightly seal off open lines and connections; collect any leakage fuel directly at the point of exit.
No fire, sparks, open flames or smoking.

CAUTION: On releasing high pressure line, fuel may emerge at high speed.
Injury hazard!

Wear suitable personal protective equipment.
Before performing any installation work, allow cooling system to cool down to less than 40°C.
Note warnings on cylinder head cover.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Collect and dispose of emerging fluids. Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Preliminary work

Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to BRING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
Refer to REMOVE THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT
Refer to REMOVE THE COVER OF THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVE THE SEAL FOR THE HOOD REAR .
Refer to REMOVE LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVE THE COWL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING TRAILING LINK AT SPRING BOLT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COWL UPPER PART IN THE CENTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING ACOUSTIC COVER AT REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE SEALING FRAME ON LEFT AND RIGHT
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER BULKHEAD LOWER PART .
Refer to REMOVE RESONATOR .
Refer to REMOVE CLEAN AIR PIPE .
Refer to REMOVE CHARGE AIR LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER FOR THE ENGINE AT THE FRONT .
Refer to REMOVING THE DME CONTROL UNIT .
Refer to REMOVE THE INTEGRATED POWER SUPPLY MODULE (PDM) .
Refer to REMOVE CONTROL UNIT BRACKET .
Refer to REMOVE THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE IGNITION COIL .
Refer to REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS .
Refer to REMOVING THE LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR .
Refer to REMOVE THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to REMOVE THE CONNECTING SUPPORT FROM THE TUNNEL .
Refer to IF INSTALLED: REMOVE THE TORSION STRUT ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHERE REQUIRED .
Refer to REMOVE COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Refer to REMOVE THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION OR FRONT THRUST FIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THE UNDERBODY PROTECTION OF THE STEERING GEAR AND THRUST FIELD RESPECTIVELY .
Refer to REMOVING THE STIFFENING PLATE .
Refer to REMOVING REAR UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to DRAIN THE COOLANT FROM THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
Refer to DRAIN THE COOLANT FROM THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
Refer to CONNECT THE COOLANT LINES FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to CONNECT THE COOLANT LINES FOR THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVE THE COOLANT RETURN LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVE THE COOLANT FEED LINE FOR THE EXHAUST GAS TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVE THE COOLANT LINE BETWEEN THE COOLANT PUMP AND CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVE TANK VENT VALVE .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENUM .
Refer to BLOCKING ENGINE IN TDC FIRING POSITION .
Refer to REMOVING CHAIN TENSIONER .
Refer to REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD AT THE CYLINDER HEAD
Refer to RELEASING VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to RELEASING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVE THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD .

Feed out and remove the cylinder head gasket (1) in the marked area.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.