5 Series (1988-1995)
box-end wrench (13 mm), socket (13 mm), ratchet wrench (small), angle grinder
clamp 49 mm (AutoExperten), gasket ring (47 mm)
It is quite common that the exhaust system on E34 cars is still fully functional after 10 years and/or 200 000 km. And the catalytic converter will continue to work for at least 5-10 years without any problems. But at approximately the same time you should replace the exhaust system (probably both center and rear silencer) you must also replace the flanges connecting the catalytic converter and the center silencer together, since these have probably already met the death of rust.
This is fine since you get new flanges together with your shiny new exhaust system. But you can only replace the flanges on the center silence side! If one of your flanges on the catalytic converter side is finished, you are bound to replace your fully functional catalytic converter according to BMW. This is of course not a sensible thing to do. In this guide I will give you an example of an alternative solution (works only on the left pipe exhaust pipe though).
Tools, Skills And Parts
The job is very easy to perform and does not require any kind of special tools.
Difficulty Level:
The following tools are required for this particular work (tools marked with green checkmark are optional).
- box-end wrench (13 mm)
- socket (13 mm)
- ratchet wrench (small)
- angle grinder
The following spare parts are required for this particular work (parts marked with green checkmark are optional). Note that the BMW internal numbers are intended for a BMW 535i E34 -89.
| clamp 49 mm (AutoExperten) | 51-82486 | 15 SEK |
| gasket ring (47 mm) | 18 11 1 175 311 | 50 SEK |
The Exhaust System
The exhaust system on a 535i E34 consists of center silencer and a rear silencer. The center silence is then connected to the catalytic converter with flanges on each side held together with two screws and two nuts per exhaust pipe.
In my case only the flange on the left pipe of the catalytic converter was broken. So this guide will only illustrate how to fix the left pipe. The right pipe does look a little bit different since the two pipes to be connected does not have the same diameter.
The connection between the catalytic converter and the center silencer for the left pipe is very straightforward. Two pipes of equal diameter, each with a lip at the end, and in between them a simple gasket ring to seal. Everything is held together with two flanges, two screws and two nuts.
The Solution
The repair procedure starts with removing the old and rusty flanges. Use a metal saw or an angle grinder to remove both flanges (be careful not to cut in the exhaust pipes). I also removed the good flange on the center silencer side since I didn’t have any use for it anyway.
Next step is to check if the gasket ring has to be replaced. If the flange have been broken for a while you usually need to replace the gasket ring. But I recommend to replace it anyway, it’s a minor expense and you know it will make a good seal.
As the last step simply mount the substitute clamp around the two exhaust pipe ends (with the gasket ring in the middle). Tighten the screws and you are finished!
