8
.
Remove
air
plenum
from
rear
of
engine
compartment
.
See
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.
9
.
Release
drive
belt
tension
and
remove
alternator
drive
belt
.
Remove
A/C
compressor
drive
belt
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
B11143
Fig
.
6
.
To
remove
poly-ribbed
drive
belt,
pry
cover
from
front
of
ten-
sioner
.
Then
using
8
mm
hex
key,
turntensioner
clockwise
(arrow)
torelease
tension
and
slip
belt
off
pulleys
.
10
.
Unbolt
power
steering
reservoir
and
pull
reservoir
off
engine
mount
bracket
.
11
.
Without
disconnecting
fluid
lines,
remove
power
steer-
ing
bracket
(with
pump)
from
oil
panand
engine
block
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
Disconnect
fluid
lines
from
bracket
on
en-
gine
mount
.
Hang
pump
from
chassis
using
wire
.
12
.
Without
disconnecting
refrigerant
lines,
remove
A/C
compressor
from
engine
block
.
Hang
compressor
from
chassis
using
wire
.
See
640
Heating
and
Air
Condi-
tioning
.
13
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
bolt
and
re-
move
tube
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
NOTE-
The
guide
tube
is
sealed
in
the
oil
pan
with
an
O-ring
.
Check
that
the
O-ring
comes
out
with
the
tube
.
Use
anew
O-ring
when
installing
the
tube
.
14
.
On
cars
with
automatic
transmission,
remove
brackets
holding
ATF
cooler
linesto
oil
pan
and
cylinder
block
.
LUBRICATION
SYSTEM
119-
5
Fig
.
7
.
Power
steering
pump
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
Fig
.
8
.
Oil
dipstick
guide
tube
being
removed
.
Usea
new
O-ring
(arrow)
during
installation
.
15
.
Insta¡¡
engine
lifting
equipment
at
front
engine
lifting
point
and
raise
engine
just
until
its
weight
is
supported
.
16
.
Remove
nuts
at
bottom
of
left
and
right
engine
mounts
.
Remove
ground
wire
from
right
engine
mount
.
1-oosen
nuts
at
top
of
left
and
right
engine
mounts
(do
not
re-
move)
.
OIL
PAN
5
.
Remove
air
filter
housingcomplete
with
mass
air
flow
sensor
.
See113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Instal-
lation
.
6
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
bolt
.
Discon-
nect
oil
separator
hose
frombase
of
guide
tube
and
re-
move
tubefrom
oil
pan
(where
applicable)
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
NOTE-
The
guide
tube
is
sealed
in
the
blockusing
an
O-ring
.
Check
that
the
O-ring
comes
out
with
the
tube
.
Use
a
new
O-ring
when
installing
the
tube
.
Fig
.
10
.
Oil
dipstick
guide
tube
being
removed
.
Use
new
O-ring
(ar-
row)
during
installation
.
7
.
M50/S50US
engine
:
Using
a
clean
syringe,
remove
power
steering
fluid
from
fluid
reservoir
.
Disconnect
power
steering
fluid
lines
from
steering
rack
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
8
.
M52/S52US
engine
:
Unbolt
power
steering
reservoir
from
engíne,
then
tie
to
chassis
with
wire
.
9
.
Insta¡¡
engine
lifting
equipment
atfront
engine
lifting
point
and
raise
engine
approximately
5
mm
('/a
inch)
until
engineweight
is
supported
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
10
.
Workingbeneath
car,
separate
steering
column
shaft
from
steeringrack
at
universal
joint
.
"
Mark
steering
column
shaft
jointto
steering
rack
spin-
dle
.
Point
wheels
straight
ahead
before
disconnecting
shaft
from
rack
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Align-
ment
.
LUBRICATION
SYSTEM
119
Fig
.
11
.
Engine
lifting
equipment
shown
installed
acrossengíne
.
CA
UTION-
In
order
to
avoid
the
need
for
front-end
realign-
ment,
donot
unbolt
power
steering
rack
from
sus-
pension
crossmember
.
11
.
Support
suspension
crossmember
from
below
using
appropriate
jacking
equipment
.
12
.
Loosen
nuts
at
top
of
left
and
right
side
engine
mounts
.
Remove
nuts
from
bottom
of
left
and
right
side
engine
mounts
.
13
.
At
left
and
right
sides,
unbolt
control
arm
bushíng
carri-
ers
from
body
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
links
fromcon-
trol
arms
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
3
.
14
.
Remove
bolts
from
left
and
right
sides
of
suspension
crossmember
and
lower
front
axle
as
far
as
possible
.
15
.
Remove
fuelline
clamping
brackets
from
oil
pan
.
On
cars
with
automatic
transmission,
remove
ATF
cooler
line
brackets
from
oil
pan
.
16
.
Remove
oil
pan
screws
.
Lower
and
remove
oil
pan
for-
ward
to
remove
.
CA
UTION-
If
the
oil
pan
does
not
separate
easily
from
the
en-
gine
cylinder
block,
a
few
taps
with
a
rubber
mallet
shouldbreak
it
free
.
Do
notpry
the
oil
pan
loose
.
OIL
PAN
Fig
.1.
Electrical
system
static
current
draw
being
measured
.
To
determine
the
circuit
or
component
causing
the
problem,
remove
one
Puse
at
a
time
until
the
current
drops
to
a
normal
range
.
BATTERY
SERVICE
The
E36
uses
a
six-cell,
12-volt
leadacid
battery
mounted
in
the
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
NOTE-
E36
convertible
models
require
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibratfon
.
A
battery
not
de-signed
for
this
will
fail
much
earlier
.
Battery
capacity
is
determined
by
the
amount
of
current
needed
tostart
the
vehicle,
and
by
the
amount
of
current
con-
sumed
by
the
electrical
system
.
BMW
batteries
are
rated
by
ampere/hours
(Ah)
and
cold
cranking
amps
(CCA)
rating
.
The
Ah
rating
is
determined
by
the
average
amount
of
current
the
battery
can
deliver
over
time
without
dropping
below
a
specified
voltage
.
The
CCA
is
determined
by
the
battery's
ability
to
deliver
starting
current
at
0°
F
(-18°
C)
without
dropping
below
a
specified
voltage
.
Battery
Testing
noN~A
B9517
Battery
testing
determines
the
state
of
battery
charge
.
On
conventional
or
low-maintenance
batteries
the
most
common
method
of
testing
the
battery
is
that
of
checking
the
specific
gravity
of
the
electrolyte
using
a
hydrometer
.
Before
testing
the
battery,
check
that
the
cables
are
tight
and
free
of
corro-
sion
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
Hydrometer
Testing
The
hydrometer
consists
of
a
glass
cylinder
with
a
freely
moving
float
inside
.
When
electrolyte
is
drawn
into
the
cylin-
der,
the
levelto
which
the
float
sinks
indicates
the
specific
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
121-
3
Fig
.
2
.
Battery
in
right
sideof
luggage
compartment
.
gravity
of
the
electrolyte
.
The
more
dense
the
concentration
of
sulfuric
acid
in
the
electrolyte,
the
less
the
float
will
sink,
result-
ing
in
a
higher
reading
and
indicating
a
higher
state
of
charge)
.
NOTE-
Electrolyte
temperature
affects
hydrometer
reading
.
Check
the
electrolyte
temperaturewith
a
thermometer
.
Add
0
.004
to
the
hydrometer
reading
for
every
10°F
(6°C)
that
the
electrolyte
is
above
80°F
(27°C)
.
Sub-
tract
0
.004
from
the
reading
for
every
10°F
(6°C)
that
the
electrolyte
is
below
80°F
(27°C)
.
Before
checking
the
specificgravity
of
a
battery,
load
the
battery
with
15
amperes
for
one
minute
.
lf
the
battery
is
in-
stalled
in
the
vehicle,
this
can
be
done
by
turning
on
the
head-
lights
without
the
engine
running
.
Table
b
lists
the
percentage
of
charge
based
on
specific
gravity
values
.
Table
b
.
Specific
Gravity
of
Battery
Electrolyteat
80
°
F
(27°C)
Specific
gravity
1
Stateof
charge
1
.265
Fully
charged
1
.225
75%
charged
1
.190
50%
charged
1
.155
25%
charged
1
.120
Fully
discharged
The
battery
isin
satisfactory
condition
if
theaverage
specif-
ic
gravity
of
the
six
cells
is
at
least
1
.225
.
If
the
specific
gravity
is
above
this
leve¡,
butthe
battery
lacks
power
for
starting,
de-
termine
the
battery's
senrice
condition
with
a
load
voltage
test,
as
described
below
.
If
the
average
specific
gravity
of
the
six
cells
is
below
1
.225,
remove
the
battery
from
the
luggage
compartment
and
recharge
.
If,
after
recharging,
the
specific
gravity
varies
by
more
than
0
.005
between
any
two
celis,
re-
place
the
battery
.
CHARGING
SYSTEM
TROUBLESHOOTING
121-
8
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
1f
the
solenoid
audibly
cliicks
but
the
motor
does
not
turn,
Starter,
removing
and
installing
switch
on
the
lights
andtum
the
key
to
the
start
position
.
lf
the
(6-cylinder
engine
with
lights
go
out
while
attempting
to
start,
the
battery
cable
may
be
manual
transmission)
loose
or
the
starter
may
have
a
short
circuit
.
If
the
lights
stay
on,the
solenoid
is
most
likely
atfault
.
The
starter
on
a
6-cylinder
car
with
manual
transmission
is
Starter,
removing
and
installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
2
.
Remove
guide
tube
for
oil
dipstick
.
3
.
Raise
vehicle
.
WARNING
-
Make
sure
the
car
ís
stable
and
wefl
supported
at
all
times
.
Use
a
professional
automotive
lift
or
jack
stands
designed
forthe
purpose
.
A
floor
jack
is
not
adequate
support
.
4
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
starter
.
5
.
Remove
top
and
bottom
starter
bolts
.
Bottom
bolt
must
be
removed
from
below
car
.
Remove
starter
support
bracket,
if
applicable
.
removed
from
below
.
2
.
Raise
vehicle
.
3
.
Remove
reinforcing
cross
bracefromunder
transmís-
sion,
if
applicable
.
4
.
Remove
cover
from
fuel
filter
and
fuel
lines
on
left
side
underneath
car,
if
applicable
.
Detach
fuel
lines
and
har-
ness
connectors
from
retainingbrackets,
as
necessary
5
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
starter
.
6
.
Loosen
andremove
bolts
and
nuts
fastening
starter
to
transmission
bell
housing
and/or
engine
block
.
Remove
starter
supportbracket
.
7
.
Remove
starter
from
below
.
8
.
Check
starter
pinion
gear
and
flywheel
teeth
for
dam-
age
.
9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
6
.
Pull
starter
downward
and
turn
until
solenoid
is
at
top,
Tightening
Torques
then
remove
from
car
.
"
Re¡
nforcing
cross
brace
to
chassis
(M10)
..
...............
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
7
.
>Check
starter
pinion
gear
and
flywheel
teeth
for
dam-
"
Starter
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
...
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)
age
.
"
Support
bracket
to
starter
(M5
nut)
...
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)
"
Support
bracket
8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
.........
47
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)
"
Wire
to
terminal
50
(M6
nut)
.........
6
Nm
(53
ín-Ib)
"
Wire
to
terminal
30
(M8
nut)
.........
12
Nm
(9
ft-lb)
Tightening
Torques
"
Starter
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
...
50
Nm
(37
ft-lb)
Wire
to
terminal
50
(M6
nut)
........
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)
"
Wire
toterminal
30
(M8
nut)
...
,
..:.
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)
STARTER
SERVICE
NOTE-
NOTE
-
On
1996
and
later
4-cylinder
cars,
use
BMW
special
"
Use
BMW
pressure
gauge
Part
No
.
133
060,or
an
tool
13
6051
(hose
with
quick
release
coupling)
toat-
equivalent
.
The
fuel
pressure
gauge
should
have
a
tach
pressure
gauge
to
Shraeder
valve
fitting
on
top
of
rangeof
0
to
5bar
(0
to
75
psi)
and
mustbe
securely
the
M44
fuel
rail
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
connected
to
prevent
it
from
coming
loose
under
pres-
sure
.
u012503a
Fig
.
13
.
Fuel
rail
showing
location
of
Shrader
valve
fitting
on
M44
en-
gine
(arrow)
.
Later
model
6-cylinder
fuel
systems
require
BMW
specíal
tool
16
1
050
to
release
fittings
and
connect
the
fuel
gauge
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
0012699
Fig
.
14
.
Fuel
lines
at
rear
of
íntake
manifold
on
M52
engine
.
Use
BMW
special
tool
16
1
050
to
release
fittings
.
If
the
special
tools
arenot
available,
a
length
offuel
line
and
a
T-fitting
can
be
installed
tothe
inlet
fuel
line
and
connected
to
a
fuel
gauge
.
FUEL
TANK
AND
FUEL
PUMP
160-
9
"
On
cars
with
6-cylinder
engine,
thetop
left-side
en-
Bine
cover
will
have
to
be
removed
to
access
the
fuel
rail
.
System
pressure,
testing
System
pressure
is
the
pressure
created
by
the
fuel
pump
and
maintained
by
the
pressure
regulator
.
See
Fig
.
15
.
Sys-
tem
pressure
is
not
adjustable
.
1
.
Remove
fuel
tank
filler
cap
.
Fig
.
15
.
Fuel
pressure
regulator
.
Fuel
pressure
deflects
diaphragm
to
retum
fuel
to
tank
when
pressure
reaches
desired
limit
.
CA
UTION-
The
fuel
pump
is
capable
of
developing
a
higher
pressure
than
that
regulated
by
the
pressure
reg-
ulator
.
In
the
event
the
fuel
pump
check
valve
is
faulty
(stuck
closed),
make
sure
the
fuel
pressure
does
not
rise
aboye
6
.0
bar(87
psi)
.
Damage
to
the
fuel
fines
or
fuel
system
components
could
re-
sult
.
2
.
Connect
in-fine
a
Tfitting
and
fuel
pressure
gauge
to
outlet
hose
atfuel
pump
.
FUEL
PUMP
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
GENERAL
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.170-1
Coolant
Pump
and
Thermostat
........
.
.
.
.
170-1
Radiator
and
Expansion
Tank
.........
.
...
170-1
Cooling
Fans
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
......
170-2
Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
170-2
TROUBLESHOOTING
...
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.170-2
Cooling
System
Pressure
Test
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-3
Thermostat
Quick
Check
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-3
Temperature
Gauge
Quick
Check
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-3
Cooling
fan,
testing
.
.
.
.
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-4
COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-5
Coolant,draining
and
filling
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
..
170-5
Cooling
system,
bleeding
(radiator
with
integral
expansion
tank)
.....
170-6
GENERAL
This
section
covers
repair
and
troubleshooting
information
for
the
engine
cooling
system
.
For
heater
core
and
related
heating
and
air
conditioning
components,
see640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.
Coolant
Pump
and
Thermostat
A
centrifuga¡-type
coolant
pump
is
mounted
to
the
front
of
the
engíne
.
The
belt-driven
pump
circulates
coolant
through
the
system
whenever
the
engíne
is
running
.
A
thermostat
con-
trols
the
flow
of
coolant
into
the
radiator
.
When
the
engíne
is
cold
the
thermostat
is
closed
so
coolant
bypasses
the
radiator,
recirculating
from
the
engíne
directly
back
to
the
pump
.
When
the
engíne
reaches
operating
tem-
perature,
the
thermostat
opens
and
coolant
circulates
through
the
whole
system
including
the
radiator
.
Radiator
and
Expansion
Tank
The
radiator
is
a
crossflow
design
.
A
translucent
expansion
tank
provides
for
coolant
expansion
at
higher
temperatures
and
easy
monitoringof
the
coolant
leve¡
.
On
4-cylinder
modeis,
the
radiator
expansion
tank
is
integral
with
the
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
170-1
Belt-driven
cooling
fan,
replacing
.
.......
.
.
.
170-7
Electric
cooling
fan,
replacing
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
170-8
Auxiliary
cooling
fan,
replacing
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
170-8
Thermostat,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
170-9
Coolant
pump,
replacing
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-10
RADIATOR
SERVICE
.....
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-11
Radiator,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
170-11
TABLES
a
.
Coolant
Temperature
Sensor
Wire
Colors
...
.
..
.
.
170-3b
.
Auxiliary
Cooling
Fan
Switching
Temperatures
.:.
.170-4
c
.
Auxiliary
Cooling
Fan
Temperature
Switch
Tests
..
..
.
...
...
.
.............
.
..
.
.
170-5d
.
Cooling
System
Capacities
..............
..
.
.
.
170-6
A
.
Expansion
tank
C
.
Dualtemperature
fan
switch
B
.
Radiator
drain
screw
Fig
.
1
.
Radiator
assembly
with
integral
expansion
tank
(4-cylinder
engine)
.
On
6-cylinder
models,
a
standalone
expansion
tank
is
used
.
On
cars
with
automatic
transmission,
ATF
is
circulated
through
an
additional
heat
exchanger
(ATF
cooler)
.
GENERAL
Fig
.
19
.
Coolant
pump
being
removed
.
Thread
two
M6
bolts
(arrows)
in
evenly
to
withdraw
pump
.
(Thermostat
and
hoseshavebeen
removed
tor
visual
access
.)
8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
"
Be
sure
to
replace
O-ring
and
gaskets
.
"
Coat
O-ring
with
lubricant
during
installation
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Coolant
pump
to
timing
chaincover
M6
...
.
...................
..
.
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
M8
.
..
.
....................
.
.
.
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
"
Coolant
pump
pulley
to
coolant
pump
.................
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
RADIATOR
SERVICE
Radiator,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Drain
radiator
as
described
earlier
.
WARNING
-
Allow
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
ordraining
system
.
2
.
Remove
primary
cooling
fan
(belt-driven
or
electric)
as
described
earlier
.
3
.
Disconnect
coolingfan
and
leve¡
sensor
harness
con-
nectors
from
bottom
of
radiator,
where
applicable
4
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
auxiliary
fandual
temperature
switch
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
5
.
Disconnect
all
coolant
hoses
from
radiator
.
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
170-11
0012500
Fig
.
20
.
Cooling
fan
dual
temperatura
switch
(arrow)
on
right
sido
of
radiator
.
6
.
Where
applicable,
disconnectautomatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF)
cooler
lines
from
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
21
.
Fig
.
21
.
Automatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF)
linos
at
radiator
.
7
.
Carefully
pryout
radiator
retaining
clips
from
top
of
ra-
diator
.
See
Fig
.
22
.
8
.
Pul¡
radiator
up
and
out
of
car
.
NOTE-
The
radiator
rests
ontwo
rubber
mounts
.
Check
that
the
mounts
do
not
stick
to
the
bottomof
the
radiator
.
RADIATOR
SERVICE
170-12
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
Fig
.
22
.
Radiator
retaining
clip
being
removed
.
Push
down
and
pulí
screwdriver
forward
to
release
clip
.
9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
"
Fill
radiator
and
cooling
system
as
described
under
Coolant,
draining
and
filling
.
"
Check
ATF
leve¡
and,
if
necessary,
top
up
.
See
240
Au-
tomatic
Transmission
.
RADIATORSERVICE