General preparation for engine repair (BMW 7 Series E32)

So, the engine is on the shop floor, separated from the transmission. The oil has been drained and all coolant has been removed. Sometimes this is not the case, as coolant and oil are trapped in the engine block and will leak out in small but noticeable amounts during disassembly, so prepare accordingly.

Clean the outside of the engine with gasoline or some cleaner. Wipe and dry the engine.

Cover your work surface with clean paper and prepare small jars to hold small parts.

You will need a tub, a stiff brush, and a clean, lint-free rag. You will need enough room to lay out the engine components in the order they will be removed from the engine.

When disassembling the cylinder head, it is important that the valve components are installed in the same place when reassembled, from where they were removed, so before disassembling, you should think about some way of marking them, for example, "outlet No.1".

It is advisable to have a set of metric wrenches - open-end, socket and socket, as well as Allen keys for the bolts with a head with a compacted Allen. You can buy a long socket wrench that can be inserted into a torque handle. This will make it much easier to remove and install the cylinder head.

Once the engine is clean, place it on a workbench and secure it so that the engine block is vertical. This is important because some of the bolts are very tight and if not secured, the engine may tip over while you are struggling with it. The engine and all its accessories are quite heavy, so a sturdy workbench is essential.