What is this engine part? (Getting to know my M54 engine bay)

Very nice Chiefwej!
Let me know when you've got a spare hour please :-)

Originally Posted by BigCo540i

That part is called dust.

It's the only collection I have.

In situ ICV location on the BMW M54 engine:
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54, by Jason5driver


In situ DISA location on the BMW M54 engine:
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54, by Jason5driver

Intake manifold "air distribution piece" in the M54 engine by Jason5driver:
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54 (post #23)

M54 ignition coils in-situ:
- Pictorial DIY for an M54 spark plug replacement on a 2002 BMW 525i E39 with 95K miles


M54 ignition coil #1, removed, showing #1 spark plug, #1 ignition coil, and #1 spark plug boot.


Old #1 spark plug removed from the M54 engine (at 98K miles) alongside a new replacement spark plug:

Drain hose for the (driver side) M54 engine cabin air filter housing:
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54

M54 throttle body assembly in situ:
E39 (1997 - 2003) > E39 how to clean throttle body

M54 idle control valve (ICV):
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54

M54 CCV, aka CVV, PCV, pressure regulator valve, etc.
- How to test CCV?


Fudman's in situ CCV "return pipe", "connecting line", & "vent pipe":
- DIY: CCV Replacement on an M54

M54 starter motor in situ:
- CCV Replacement FYI - M54

Identification of mechanical belt tensioners, in situ:
- How to tell if you have hydraulic or mechanical belt tensioners

I was trying to keep mostly to pictures, especially in situ pictures, but this cutaway diagram of the BMW M54 engine is too revealing to pass up:

M54 location of oxygen sensors (pre-cat):

Maybe we should just stick to engine parts ... but this is pretty:
Wheel speed sensor

Nice, Bluebee.

Originally Posted by bobdmac

Nice, Bluebee.

My goal is to look at my engine compartment, and know at least what the name of everything that can visually be seen is.

Originally Posted by bluebee

My goal is to look at my engine compartment, and know at least what the name of everything that can visually be seen is.

Do you also see non-visually? Or is that language from the Department of Redundancy Department?

Originally Posted by bobdmac

Do you also see non-visually? Or is that language from the Department of Redundancy Department?

Good point. My writing mirrors my personality, which is far more loquacious than reticent!

Here is a picture of the auxiliary water pump from underside my M54 engine:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)

Here is a clean shot of my M54 engine Bosch 120 OEM alternator, with the airbox removed so it can more easily be seen:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)


And, here, circled, is another view of my VANOS solonoid adjusting unit:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)


Yet another VANOS solenoid adjusting unit on my M54 engine, this one (gunked up) under the apparently leaking valve cover gasket:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)

Here is the idle control valve (ICV) on Michel's ( mmm635) M54 engine:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)


And, circled is a good view of Michel's starter motor:

And, here is my fan clutch as I try to reattach it (crookedly) to the waterpump of my M54 engine:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)

Here, from underneath, are the tensioners and pulleys for my M54 belt-drive system:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)





And, here is the diagram from the Bentleys of the M54 belt-drive system:
- AAA is towing my car in 30 minutes (total electrical failure)


Starting from the crankshaft inner pulley, the larger belt goes counterclockwise to the upper mechanical tensioner, then to the water pump, upside down to the idler roller, and then right-side up to the alternator pulley, and down to the power steering pump pulley at bottom right, and then back to the inner crankshaft pulley at bottom center.

The outer belt goes from the outer crankshaft pulley at bottom center counterclockwise upside down to the lower mechanical tensioner rightside up to the air conditioning compressor and then back to the outer crankshaft pulley.

Power steering fluid reservoir cap o-ring on my M54 engine:


Power steering fluid reservoir filter (removed by T20 Torx) in my M54:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Looks like PS systems are the hot topic today

My M54 passenger side vanos solenoid (covered in valve cover gasket leak grime):

My M54 fan clutch & waterpump connection:


My M54 upper radiator nipple connection to the expansion tank:


My M54 expansion tank cap and bleeder screw geometry: