1996 BMW 318i 640

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

170-10



RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM

Coolant
pump,
replacing

The
engine
coolant
pump
is
mounted
in
the
frontof
the
en-

gine
on
the
timing
cover
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

Fig
.
16
.
Coolant
pump
mounted
on
timing
cover
.

NOTE-

Onlyreplacement
coolant
pumps
with
metal
¡mpellers
should
be
installed
.
Pumps
with
plastic
impellers
should
not
be
used
.

1.
Drain
cooling
system
as
described
earlier
.

0013197

WARNING
-

Allow
cool¡ng
system
to
cool
before
open¡ngor
drain¡ng
system
.

2
.
Remove
primary
cooling
fan
shroud
and
cooling
fan
(belt-driven
or
electric)
as
described
earlier
.

Fig
.
17
.
Engine
drive
belt
tensioner
being
released
on
M44
engine
.
Pry
off
tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
in
counterciock-
wise
direction
(as
facing
engine)
and
slip
belt
off
pulleys
.

Fig
.
18
.
Drive
belt
tensioner
being
released
on
M52
engine
.
Pry
off
3
.
Disconnect
hoses
from
thermostat
housing
.
Unbolt



tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
clockwise
(as
facing
thermostat
housing
from
front
of
cylinder
head
.



engine)torelease
belt
tension
.

4
.
Remove
coolant
pump
drive
belt
.
See
Fig
.
17
or
Fig
.
18
.

NOTE-

-
Mark
direction
of
drive
belt
rotation
if
reusing
belt
.



"
The
6-cylinder
coolant
pump
¡s
mounted
on
studs
and
retained
by
nuts
.
"
Severa¡
drive
belt
and
tensioner
configurations
havebeenused
in
E36
models
.
Refer
to
020
Maintenance
Program
and
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.

5
.
Remove
coolant
pump
pulley
from
pump
.

6
.
Remove
mounting
fasteners
from
pump
.

COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE

NOTE-

"
The
4-cylinder
coolant
pump
¡s
mounted
us¡ng
two
dif-
terent
length
bolts
.
Note
where
thelonger
bolt
fits
dur-
ing
disassembly
.

0011989

7
.
Insert
twoscrews
(M6)
in
tapped
bores
and
tighten
uni-
formly
until
pump
is
free
from
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

11
.
Raise
transmission
and
reinstall
transmission
cross-

member
.

12
.
Install
driveshaft
using
new
nuts
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

13
.
Check
transmission
oil
leve¡,
topping
up
asnecessary
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Transmission
crossmember
to
chassis

M8
...............
.
...
.
..
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-Ib)

M10
..............
.
..
...
..
.
...
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Transmission
outputflange
to
output
shaft



O



001202
2
Z
:Z
ZZZ~
%
_
j
Stage
I.................
..
.
..
190
Nm
(140
ft-Ib)

Stage
II
(after
loosening)
....
.
.
.
..
120
Nm
(89
ft-Ib)



Fi
g
.
9
.



Indent
at
oil
seal
housing
(1)
.
Punch
holes
in
seal
housing
at

Inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
removed)

Replacement
of
the
inputshaft
sea¡
requires
the
removal
of

thetransmission
from
the
vehicle
as
described
later
in
this
re-

pair
group
.

5
.
Lubricate
new
sea¡with
transmission
oil
and
drive
into

1
.
Remove
clutch
release
bearing
and
release
lever
from



placeusing
BMW
Special
Tool
no
.
23
2
430
or
equiva-

inside
bellhousing
.



lent
.

2
.
Remove
bolts
for
clutch
release-bearing
guide
sleeve,



6
.
Thoroughly
cleanguide
sleeve
mounting
bolts,
sealin

noting
bolt
lengths
.
Remove
sleeve
and
any
spacers



surfaces,
and
threads
in
case
.
Apply
sealer
(Loctite

(shims)
under
¡t
.
See
Fig
.
8
.



242
or
equivalent)
to
guide
sleeve
sealingsurface
and

bolts
.
Reinstall
guide
sleeve
and
spacer(s)
.

0011640

Fig
.
8
.



Clutch
release
bearing
guide
sleeve
bolts
.
(Getrag
transmis-

sion
shown)
.

3
.
With
transmission
on
aworkbench,
remove
input
shaft

sea¡
cover
from
inside
bel¡-housing
.

4
.
Locate
two
indents
in
seal
housing
.
Use
a
punch
or

scribe
to
punch
holes
in
housing
at
indents
.
Thread
two

sheetmetal
screws
into
holes
and
pulí
seal
out
using

screws
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-
5

indents
anduse
sheetmetal
screw
(2)
to
pul¡
sea¡
from
trans-
mission
.

NOTE-

Use
care
not
to
scratch
or
damage
input
shaft
.
Use
a
protective
sleeve
or
tape
the
shaft
when
removing
and
installing
the
sea¡
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Guide
sleeveto
transmission

M6xl2
bolt
.......
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL

AND
INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
the
transmission
is
best
accom-

plished
ona
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
The
engine
must
be

supported
from
above
using
appropriate
support
equipment
.

Thisallows
the
engine
to
pivot
on
its
mounts
to
access
theup-

perTorx-head
bolts
at
the
bellhousing
.

WARNING
-

"
Make
sure
thecar
is
stable
and
well
supported
at

all
times
.
Use
a
professional
automotive
lift
or
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
A
floor
jack
is
not
adequate
support
.

"
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the

balance
of
the
vehicle
ona
líft
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

400-
6
BODY-GENERAL

Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

The
electronically
controlled
heating
and
air
conditioning

systemusesan
extra
large,
infinitely
variable
radial
blower
motor
for
good
distribution
of
air
.
Fresh
air
enters
through
the
grille
below
the
engine
hood
and
finto
the
passenger
compart-
ment
via
the
dashboard
and
footwell
vents
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Repair
information
for
the
heating
and
air
conditioning
sys-

tem
is
covered
in
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.

Fig
.
5
.



Heating
and
air
conditioning
ventilation
plan
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

Dashboard,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.

8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.

5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-

bag
System
(SRS)
.

6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

INTERIOR
TRIM



513-
3

Fig
.
5
.



Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.

12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

UU13156
Fig
.
6
.



A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.



is
similar
.

DASHBOARD

GENERAL

E36
cars
are
equipped
with
integrated
automatic
heating

and
air
conditioning
systems
.
Many
of
the
procedures
given
in

this
repair
group
require
that
the
A/C
refrigerant
charge
be

evacuated
using
specialized
equipment
.
See
A/C
System
Warningsand
Cautions
later
in
this
repair
group
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing

NOTE-

On
6-cylinder
cars,
the
plastic
top
enginecover
and
fuel
rail
covermustbe
removed
.
The
fuel
injectorhamess
re-
taining
screws
must
be
removed
and
the
harness
set
aside
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
cover
must
be
removed,
the
control
unit
connectors
unplugged
and
the
harness
pulled
out
of
the
way
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.

2
.
Open
hood
.
Unclip
engine
bulkhead
plenum
grille
at

base
of
windshíeld
and
remove
grille
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-1

640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

GENERAL
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
640-1



Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,

replacing(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.......
.
640-10

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-1



Rear
Window
Defogger
.
.
.



.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
640-10
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-1



Rear
Window
Blower
(convertible
models)
.
.640-10

Blowermotor
resistor
pack,
replacing



.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3



AIR
CONDITIONING
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-11
Heater
valve,
replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3

Heater
box,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-4



A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
:640-11

Heater
core,
replacing
.....
.
.
:
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-6



A/C
compressor,
replacing
.
.
::.
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-12

Heater
core
temperature
sensor,
replacing
.
.
640-7



A/C
Compressor
Clutch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-13

Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
.
.
....
.
.....
.
640-7



A/C
condenser,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-14

Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing



A/C
receiver/drier,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-15
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
....
.
......
640-7



A/C
expansion
valve,

Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing



removing
and
installing
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-16
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
.....
.
.....
640-8



A/C
evaporator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
..
640-17

Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing



A/C
evaporator
temperature
sensor,

and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-8



replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
.
.
.
..
640-17

Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing



A/C
microfilter,
replacing
......
.
....
.
.
.
..
640-18

and
installing
(digital-display)
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
640-8

Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,



TABLES

replacing
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9



a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values
.........
...
.
.
......
640-3

Heater
andA/C
AirDistribution
Motors
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9



b
.
Heater
Core
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
.640-7

c
.
Evaporative
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
640-17

d
.
A/C
System
Fluid
Capacities
(total)
..
..........
640-18

0012527

Fig
.
1
.
Detach
grille
retaining
clips
(arrows)
and
pull
grille
upward
and
out
of
rubbergasket
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

640-2



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

3
.
Remove
wiring
harness
retaining
clip
at
bulkhead
.
Re-

move
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
cover
and
pull

cover
forward
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0012529

Fig
.
2
.
Ming
harness
cover
screws
at
base
ofwindshield
(arrows)
.

4
.
On
passenger
side,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
re-

move
two
screws
retaining
plenum
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Ríghtside
plenum
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

VU1L535

5
.
On
driverside,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
remove

screw
retaining
plenum
.
Pull
plenum
up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

6
.
Unclip
blower
motor
housing
cover,
disconnect
control

cable,
and
turn
center
retainer
1
/4
turn
to
remove
cover
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

7
.
Disconnect
electrical
connectors
from
blower
motor
.

8
.
Remove
left
upper
section
of
blower
housingby
detach-
ing
spring
clipsat
edge
of
housing
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Fig
.
4
.



Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
air
plenumupward
.

0012534

0012636

Fig
.
5
.



Blower
motor
housing
clips
(A)
;
control
cable
(B)
;
and
center
retainer(C)
.

i
[u6,

Fig
.
6
.



Spring
clips
(arrows)
on
driver
sideof
blower
housing
.

9
.
Release
blower
motor
retaining
strap
andremove
blow-
er
motor
and
fans
fromcowl
opening
.

NOTE-

Twist
and
rotate
blowermotor
assembly
to
facilítate
re-
moval
from
opening
.
If
the
blower
motor
is
to
be
rein-stafled,
use
care
not
to
damage
fan
wheels
during
removal
.
ff
the
blower
motor
fs
to
be
replaced,
cut
offfan
wheels
at
center
to
aid
in
removal
.

10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
When
installing
a
re-
placement
blower
motor,
instan
motor
into
cowlarea
before
installing
fan
wheels
.
Blower
motor
test
specifi-

cations
are
listed
in
Table
a
.

NOTE
-

On
replacementblowermotors
from
BMW,
thefan
wheels
come
unattached
to
aid
in
installation
.
Locatearrow
on
blower
motor
and
instan
fan
wheels
atthis
po-
sition
.
Be
sure
color
coolng
matches
.
Retain
fan
wheels
using
the
new
clips
.
See
an
authorized
BMW
parts
de-
partment
for
the
latest
parts
information
.

Table
a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values

Testingvoltage



13
VDC

Operating
voltage



9-15
VDC

Max
.
current
consumption
(approx
.)



12
amps

Maximum
speed



3,600-4,000rpm

Axialplay
(max
.
allowable)



1
.0
mm
(0
.04
in
.)

Blower
motor
resistor
pack,
replacing

The
blower
resistor
pack
is
clipped
into
the
upper
left
side
of
theheater
box
.

1
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
panel
.
See513
Interior

Trim
.

2
.
Working
under
left
(driver's)
side
of
dash,
unclip
and

pulí
out
resistor
pack
from
sideof
heater
box
.
Remove

harness
connector
from
resistor
pack
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Heater
valve,
replacing

The
two-way
heater
valve
is
located
in
the
rear
of
the
engine

compartment
on
the
driver
side
.
The
solenoid
operated
valves

control
the
coolant
flow
through
the
dual-chamber
heater

core
.

1
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling

System
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
3

uuiGO4I

Fig
.
7
.



Blower
fan
resistor
pack
(black
arrow)
and
resistor
pack
re-
ceptacle
(white
arrow)
below
left
sideof
dash
.

WARNING
-

Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
ordraining
the
cooling
system
.

2
.
Disconnect
hoses
and
harness
connector
at
heater
valve
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

001[ó38b

Fig
.
S
.



Hoses
(A)
and
harnessconnector
(B)
at
heatervalve
.

3
.
Carefully
pull
heater
valve
out
of
rubber
mounting
and

pull
up
and
out
of
engine
compartment
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
hose

clamps
.
Inspect
hoses
and
replace
asnecessary
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS