BMW Z4M starter questions

[RossBMWZseries]

My car continues to leave me stranded about once or twice a week. My suspicion is the starter, and Autozone confirmed it was. I've had this brand new starter sitting in my garage for about a year so i figured it's time for a DIY. I have the steps noted from Pelican Parts on how to remove the intake manifold and also how to swap the starter. I understand the clamps connecting the intake manifold into the individual throttle bodies are a one time use so I'm replacing those.

1) Is there anything else I need to replace like bolts/screws, intake manifold gaskets?
2) Is there anything else I SHOULD do while I'm already down there with no intake in the car?

I'm on a tight budget so I'm only interested in changing the things I absolutely need to change/swap/update. Also, I read there's a special tool (some sort of pliers) to remove the clamps off the throttle bodies connecting to the intake manifold. I can't seem to find that tool anywhere online. I searched the part number but side mirrors for a different BMW come up lol. I tried using other pliers but for the life of me, I couldn't remove them.

Any advice on the above is truly appreciated!

[RGlenn]

Can't help on the starter issue, but those clamps sure are a pain.

You need pliers like these:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...SABEgI9dPD_BwE

It was much much easier to get those clamps to close with a pair of these.

[yousefnjr]

I’m pretty sure you can reach it without taking off the intake manifold, IIRC this was a few minute job... sec, finding my old posts on this

[yousefnjr]

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777861

[RossBMWZseries]

RGlenn, looks like I won't be needing those pliers just yet, thanks to yousefnjr's DIY thread!

Thank you both for taking the time to respond. I'm going to try the DIY on link above and if my hands fit, I won't need to remove the intake manifold.

[StickMon]

Whether the clamps are one time use is mostly a matter of how badly you mangle them.
It's not like they're stretch-to-yield or anything.
Buy a set before you have to take them off.
Use the new set when you put it back together, and keep the original ones for later.

I can get 1-4 off and back on without a scratch. #6 is a bit tricky.
#5 is a total PETA. Injector rails are in the way. Likely to be worse for wear when you finally get it off.

If/when you take them off a second time you shouldn't need new ones.
If you mangle #5, just pick a good looking one from the original set.

[Westersund]

Or you can buy another type of clamp that doesn't require a plier, if you don't care about originality.

[RossBMWZseries]

StickMon, my understanding was that they are a one time use from what I've read. I'll try my best to keep them in the best shape possible to reuse them later if needed.

Westersund, I thought about using regular clamps that can easily be removed using a socket/flathead screwdriver. Do these regular clamps have a negative effect compared to the "one time use" clamps? I don't want any air leaks.

[StickMon]

I've heard that "regular" clamps are contraindicated because they seldom clamp in a perfect circle or with a well defined force.
Too easy to squish the throttle body into an egg shape. Then your throttle won't close and will probably stick.

[SaltyNC]

Ross, it sounds like you probably won't need to remove the intake manifold, but if anyone decides to do it, you can search for "Oetiker" clamps and get some good info.

As Stickmon mentions, one of the nice things about ear clamps or Oetiker clamps is that they have a defined clamping force, so it's like a torque wrench in a band clamp. There is also an offset Oetiker crimper in addition to the style posted above. The offset is handy in some situations such as CV boots, etc. I used them when replacing tie rods on a 3 series recently.

Good luck with your starter.

Salty

[StickMon]

I never knew they had a name.
The offset crimper could come in handy for cylinder #5.

But, yea, thanks to yousefnjr, sounds like you can do it without removing the manifold.

[SaltyNC]

I bought my offset crimper from Amazon. It's "OK." I think Oetiker makes a set that is much nicer, but three times the price.

http://a.co/asjn63Y

Salty

[RossBMWZseries]

Yousef thanks again for the DIY write up. I changed my starter today without removing the intake manifold. The car now stars quick and powerful. I notice it also sounds different when starting, as if it’s got a small whistling supercharger like sound to it. Works fine though thank you!

[unluky]

I was shocked how easy the Z4 starter was to replace. I did it all leaning over the fender - it was a snap. I got home from work and planned to just get stuff out of the way since the starter was not arriving till the next day and the next thing I knew the starter was on the floor unhooked - all still in my khakis from work. New one came in the next day and I popped it right in.

Believe me - you don't know how draggy your starter has become until you put in a new one - I was amazed! Easiest road vehicle starter I ever changed.