10 hours for starter removal? OMG!

[ericbendler]

Does it really take 10 hours to remove the starter from my 1991 525i? I have been having trouble with turning the key and getting a "whiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrr - thunk" sound. After a couple of keys it always starts.

Until now. All I get is click. Sound seems to be coming from the solenoid. I am about to replace my starter, and while looking through the threads for a procedure (or the location), I am reading that it takes 4-10 hours to replace it and you need two people?

Is there a procedure out there? Does it really take all day? Man, I gotta get back on the road and this is really catching me off guard.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

[Ross]

Don't take your advice from anyone who says 2 men and 8-10 hrs. to change a starter.
Get a Bentley manual and follow the procedure, it's not hard at all.

[ericbendler]

Ordering my Bentley right now

[whiskychaser]

Ordering my Bentley right now

Would be thinking about some inlet manifold gaskets and female torx sockets too

[bimmerd00d]

IT's a bitch and a half to do from teh top. Find a lift and a super long extension, do it from underneath. It's a one man job, with some patience and alcohol. I had mine replaced on my old M50tu and the guy did it in an hour. $153 including the price of the reman'd starter.

[winfred]

it's not all that bad on a m50 in a 5 series, you can do it without pulling the intake, unlike a 3 series where you do need to pull the intake (which only takes me 15-20 minutes to get off and out of the way) you can use a 6 point 10mm in place of the e12 torx and the nuts are 16mm, i've been known to lock the bolts with a wrench and take the nuts off from the top

[ericbendler]

what is wiskeychaser talking about? I see the starter now, and got WINFREDs suggestions (thanks!), but I don't know what the

inlet manifold gaskets and the female torx sockets

are for. I couldn't find a Bentley, Chilton, or Haynes in my town (Gainesville, FL home of those awesome Florida Gators!). So I am underneath figuring it out.

wish I had a procedure. It'll just take a little more effort thats all.

I see under the intake manifold and above the steering linkage. Just gotta figure out how to effectively get to it, and where the bolts are.

[ryan roopnarine]

where do you live in gainesville?

[ericbendler]

I live on NW 16th Ave, by main street. Go Gators

[ryan roopnarine]

I live on NW 16th Ave, by main street. Go Gators

if you'd like i can photocopy the relevant pages from bentley and stick them on your door. pm your address if you are interested.