1996 BMW M3 engine oil

117-
8



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

Fig
.
18
.
Oil
baffle'
cover
being
removed
.

Fig
.
19
.
Upper
timing
chaincover
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
on
pre-
VANOS
engines
.

16
.
Secure
crankshaft
hub
to
prevent
crankshaft
from
turn-
ing
.
Using
a
socket,
loosen
but
do
not
remove
crank-
shaft
hub
center
bolt
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

Fig
.
20
.
Engine
set
to
approximate
TDC
.
Camshaft
lobes
face
in
and
arrows
on
sprockets
point
up
(arrows)
.

B1
1123a

Fig
.
21
.
O/
T
(0°TDC)
mark
on
vibration
damper
aligned
with
boss
on
timing
chain
cover
(arrow)
.

17
.
Lock
crankshaft
in
TDC
position
by
inserting
BMW
spe-

cial
tool
no
.
11
2
300
through
transmissionbellhousing
and
into
hole
in
flywheelor
drive
plate
.
See
Fig
.
23
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotate
the
crankshaft
.
NOTE-

The
crankshaft
hub
center
bolt
is
tightened
to
a
torque



18
.
Remove
crankshaft
hub
bolt
and
washer
.
Remove
hub
of
410
Nm
(300
ft-ib)
.
A
heavy
duty
holding
device,



from
crankshaft
.
suchas
BMW
special
tool
no
.
112150,
should
be
used
to
hold
the
crankshaft
hub
stationary
while
the
bolt
is



19
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
at
rear
of
loosened
.
Use
a
heavy
duty
314-inch
drive
socket
and



head
.
Lock
camshafts
at
TDC
using
BMW
special
tool
breaker
bar
to
break
the
bolt
free
.



no
.
11
3
240
at
ends
of
camshafts
.
See
Fig
.
24
.
.

9)
B11126

Fig
.
29
.
Lower
timing
chain
cover
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
anddowel
locations
(A)
.
Coolant
hose
fitting
B
is
replaced
by
coolant
pipe
pressure
fitting
in
later
models
.

28
.
Remove
remaining
Torx
bolt
from
timing
chain
guide
.

See
Fig
.
30
.

Fig
.
30
.
Timing
chainguide
mounting
bolt(A)
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
11

29
.
Lift
primary
chain
sprocket
off
exhaust
camshaft
and
remove
chain
.

NOTE-

"
If
any
of
the
sprockets
are
being
replaced
due
to
wear,
the
chain
should
also
be
replaced
.

"
If
the
crankshaft
sprocket
requires
replacement,
the
oil
pump
drive
sprocket
and
chain
must
be
removed
as
described
under
119
Lubrication
System
.

Camshaft
timing
chains,
installing

(6-cylinder
engines)

Inspecttiming
chainsprockets
.
Sprockets
that
haveworn
or

missing
teeth
should
be
replaced
.
Inspect
guide
rail
and
ten-

sioner
rail
for
deep
grooves
caused
by
chain
contact
.
Replace
any
parí
that
is
worn
.

The
procedure
outlined
below
assumes
that
the
camshafts

and
the
crankshaft
are
locked
in
the
TDC
installation
position

with
special
tools
(shown
earlier
in
Fig
.
23
and
Fig
.
24)
.

NOTE-
NOTE-



On
pre-VANOS
engines
(engines
built
up
to
8-92),
the

"
The
timing
chain
cover
can
be
removed
with
the
cool-



camshaft
locking
tool
(Fig
.
24)should
be
raised
upon

ant
pump
installed
.



eitherside
by
3mm
(use
feeler
gauge
or
dril¡
bits)
.
Be
sure
the
clamping
bolts
on
tool
are
loose
and
thecenter

"
Use
care
when
removing
the
chain
cover
from
the



of
the
tool
is
contacting
the
cylinder
head
surface
.
This

coolant
pipe
or
hose
at
the
rearof
the
cover
.



service
campaign
helps
improve
idle
characteristics
by
reducing
valve
overlap
.

1
.
Install
primary
timing
chain
to
crankshaft
sprocket
and

tie
it
up
through
cylinder
head
opening
.

2
.
Using
new
gaskets
and
coolant
pipe
O-ring
;
insta¡¡
low-

ertiming
chain
cover
:

"
Drive
timing
cover
doweis
inuntil
they
just
protrude

slightly
from
sealing
surface
.
"
Apply
a
small
bead
of
silicon
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
©
or

equivalent)
to
corners
of
cylinder
head
where
timing

cover
meets
cylinder
head
and
engine
block
.

"
Tap
cover
into
position
to
engage
doweis
.

"
Install
mounting
bolts
hand
tight,
including
two
outer

Torx
bolts
from
above
.

"
Drive
doweis
in
flush
to
front
of
cover
.

"
Tighten
cover
mounting
bolts
alternately
and
in
stages
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Lower
timing
cover
to
cylinder
block

M7
................
...
..
.
.....
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)

M8
.............
.
.
...
.........
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

3
.
Insta¡¡
oil
pan
using
a
new
gasket
.
See
119
Lubrication

Systern
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

Fig
.
34
.
Primary
timíng
chain
tensioner
being
instafed
.
Pistoncutout
mustbe
in
position
shown
to
engage
chain
rail
.

12
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Install
VANOS
control
unit

as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

13
.
Unlock
and
release
secondary
chaintensioner
.



NOTE-

On
pre-VANOS
engines,
be
sure
toinstall
the
3mm
drill
bits
on
left
and
right
sides
of
tool
.
14
.
On
1992
engines
:
Tighten
intake
and
exhaust
timing
chain
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
two
stages,
working
at
intake
side
first
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Secondary
timing
chaira
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
....
.
.
.
...
...............
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)
Stage
2
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
................
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

15
.
On
1992
engines
:
Install
upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head
using
a
new
gasket
.
Apply
a
small

amount
ofliquid
gasket
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
®
orequiv-

alent)
around
coveralignment
dowels
.

16
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Preloadprimary
chain
by
tightening
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
390
(dummy



21
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
.
Insta¡¡
oil
chain
tensioner)
to
1
.3
Nm
(11
in-lb)
.
Then
tighten
ex-



baffle
cover
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
.
haust
camshaft
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
twostages
.

Tightening
Torques
(1993
and
later
engines)

"
Exhaust
camshaft
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
..
...
..
..
................
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)

Stage
2
.....
.
.
...
..............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

17
.
Remove
flywheel
locking
tool
from
transmission
bell-

housing
.
Remove
camshaft
locking
tool
from
rear
of

cylinder
head
.

CAMSHAFT'TIMING
CHAIN



117-
1
3

18
.
Insta¡¡
crankshaft
hubandwasher
while
aligning
woo-
druff
key
.
Hold
hub
stationary
and
tighten
mounting
bolt
.
Install
vibration
damper
and
pulley,
making
sure
that
lo-
cating
pin
in
hub
engages
hole
in
vibration
damper
.

NOTE-

When
installing
crankshaft
hub
mounting
bolt,
the
stepped
(shouldered)
sideof
the
washer
should
fase
the
hub
.

Tightening
Torques

Crankshaft
hub
to
crankshaft
(stretch
bolt-
always
replace)
........
410
±
20
Nm
(300
±
15
ft-1b)

"
Vibration
damper
and
pulley

to
crankshaft
hub
(M8)
...
..
.
..
....
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

19
.
Turn
engine
over
by
hand
in
direction
of
rotation
atleast
two
full
rotations
.
Reinstall
camshaft
and
crankshaft
locking
tools
to
check
engine
timing
.
Remove
locking
tools
if
no
faults
are
found
.

20
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Remove
BMW
special
tool11
3
390
(dummy
tensioner)
.
Install
primary
chain
ten-sioner
so
that
cutout
in
tensioner
piston
engages
the
chain
rail
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
Install
and
tighten
access
plugs

in
VANOS
control
unit
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Access
plugs

to
VANOS
control
unit
..........
.
..
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

"
Primary
timing
chain
tensioner
to
tensioner
sleeve

M50/S50US
engine
.......
.
..
..
.
.
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

M52/S52US
engine
..........
..
.
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover

to
cylinder
head
............
...
.
.10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

117-
1
4



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

22
.
Installation
of
remaining
parts
is
reverse
of
removal,



When
theengine
is
running,
the
piston
housing
is
supplied

noting
the
following
:



with
pressurized
engine
oil
.
At
idie,
the
solenoid
isin
the
off

"
When
installing
thermostat,
make
sure
arrow
or
vent



position
(de-energized)
and
valve
timing
is
maintained
in
the

hole
faces
up,
if
applicable
.



normal
position
:
When
the
solenoid
is
energized,
the
gear
cup

"
Refill
cooling
systemas
described
in
170
Radiator



piston
moves
forward
to
advance
the
camshaftby
a
maximum

and
Coming
System
.



of
12
.5
.

"
Install
oil
pan
as
described
in
119
Lubrication
Sys-

tem
.
"
Fill
engine
with
oil
and
install
a
new
oil
filter
as
de-

scribed
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.

"
Insta¡¡
ground
wires
at
cylinder
head
cover
mounting

studs
and
at
front
of
cylinder
head
and
thermostat

housing,
where
applicable
.



VANOS
system
operation,
testing

Tightening
Torques



There
are3
special
tools
required
to
check
VANOS
opera-

"
Coolant
drain
plugto
cylinder
block
.
.
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)



tion
;
an
electricaltest
lead
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
12
6
410),
an

"
Radiator
cooling
fan
to
coolant
pump
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)



air
line
fitting
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
450),
and
a
crank-

"
Radiator
drain
screw
to
radiator
...
.
2
.5
Nm
(22
in-Ib)



shaft
TDC
locking
tool
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
112
300)
.

"
Upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head



The
test
leal
is
used
to
power
the
solenoid,
simulating
the
M6
nut
...
.....
.............
..
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



ground
signal
from
the
DME
control
unit
.
The
air
line
fitting
M8
bolt
.....
....
.
.
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)



takes
the
place
of
the
oil
supply
line
fitting
to
simulate
oil
Ares-
"
VANOS
control
unit
to
cylinder
head



sure
.
The
locking
tool
positions
and
locks
the
crankshaft
at

M6
nut
.........
..
..
.
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



TDC,
cylinder
no
.
l.
M8
bolt
........
...
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
pipe
to
VANOS
control
unit



1
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
air
duct
.

banjo
bolt
.......
..
..
.
..........
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)



3
.
Remove
top
plastic
enginecovers
.
Disconnect
ignition

coil
harness
connectors
fromcofs
.
Remove
ignition

1993
and
later
6-cylinder
engines
are
equipped
with
a
vari-



coils
.

able
valve
timing
system
called
VANOS
.
This
system
is
con-

trolled
by
the
engine
management
system
and
dynamically



4
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
bolts
and
re-

adjusts
intake
camshaft
timing
based
on
engine
load,
engine



move
cylinder
head
cover
.
Unclip
andremove
oil
baffle

speed
and
engine
temperature
.



cover
from
above
intake
camshaft
.
See
113
Cylinder

Head
Removal
and
installation
.

The
main
components
of
the
VANOS
system
are
the
control

unit
with
piston
housing
and
integral
spool
valve,
and
the
mod-

ified
intake
camshaft
.
See
Fig
.
35
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VA
LVE
TIMING)

Fig
.
35
.
VANOS
control
unit
with
modified
intake
camshaft
.

B11001

WARNING
-

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
required
to
check
and
repair
the
VANOS
System
.
Read
theproce-

dures
through
before
beginning
the
job
.

2
.
Disconnect
crankcase
ventilation
hose
fitting
from
cyl-

inder
head
cover
.

NOTE-

Note
the
arrangement
of
the
cylinder
head
cover
bolt
insulators
and
gaskets
during
removal
.

5
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal

operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

1
are
facing
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

6
.
Set
engine
to
TDC
by
aligning
"0/T"
mark
(0°TDC)on

front
vibration
damper
withcast
boss
on
lower
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

7
.
Lock
crankshaft
in
position
by
inserting
BMW
special

tool
no
.
11
2
300
through
transmission
bellhousing
and

into
hole
in
flywheelor
driveplate
.
See
Fig
.
36
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotatethe
crankshaft
.

117-
1
6



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

15
.
Remove
crankshaft
locking
tool
.
Remove
special
test

equipment
.
Insta¡¡
oil
supply
line
using
new
seals
and

reconnect
solenoid
connector
.
Remainder
of
installa-

tion
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover
to
cylinder
head
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
line
to
VANOS

control
unit
(banjo
bolt)



..
.........
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
solenoidlo
VANOS

control
unit
........
.
.
.
..
........
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

VANOS
control
unit,
removing

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
required
lo
remove
and
in-

stall
the
VANOS
control
unit
.
Read
the
procedure
through
be-

forestarting
the
job
.

1
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
shroud
and
cooling
fan
.

See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.

CAUTION-

Radiator
fan
has
left
hand
threads
.

2
.
Remove
top
plastic
engine
covers
.
Disconnect
ignition

coil
harness
connectors
from
coils
.
Remove
ignition

coils
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
.
Unclip
andremove

oil
baffle
cover
from
above
intake
camshaft
.See
113

Cylinder
Head
Removal
and
Installation
.

NOTE-

Make
note
of
the
mounting
bolt
insulator
arrangement
during
removal
of
the
cylinder
head
cover
.

3
.
Set
engine
lo
TDC
by
rotating
engine
in
normal
operat-

ing
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.
1
are

facing
each
other
and
"0/T"
mark
(0°TDC)
on
vibration

damper
lines
up
with
cast
boss
on
lower
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
38
.

4
.
Lock
crankshaft
at
TDC
by
inserting
BMW
special
tool

no
.
11
2
300
through
transmission
bellhousing
and
finto

flywheel
or
drive
plate
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
36
given
earlier
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotatethe
crankshaft
.

5
.
Remove
three
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
from
rear
of
head
.
Lockcamshafts
at
TDC
bymounting

BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
240
at
ends
of
camshafts
.

Check
that
tool
is
squarely
seated
on
cylinder
head
gasket
surface
.
If
necessary,
rotate
camshafts
slightly
using
a24
mm
wrench
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
24
given
earlier
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)

Fig
.
38
.
Camshafts
positioned
at
TDC-Cyl
.
No
.
1
cam
lobes
face
in
Note
0/T
mark
(0°TDC)
on
vibration
damper
alígned
with
boss
on
front
cover
.

CA
UTION-

Thecamshafts
mustbe
locked
in
the
TDC
position
using
the
specialservice
tool
or
an
equivalent
be-
fore
removing
the
timing
chain
.
Thearrows
on
the
sprockets
should
not
be
used
to
accurately
set
the
engine
to
TDC
The
special
tool
holds
the
cam-
shafts
parallel
to
each
other
and
perpendicular
to
the
valve
cover
gasket
surface
.

6
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
and
oil
line
fitting
from
bottom
of
VANOS
control
unit
.

NOTE-

Wrap
the
VANOS
oilfine
fitting
with
a
shop
rag
to
ab-
sorb
leaking
oil
.

7
.
Remove
two
access
plugs
from
VANOS
control
unit
in
frontof
exhaustcamshaft
sprocket
.
Loosen
4exhaustcamshaft
sprocket
mounting
bolts
but
do
not
remove

(Torx
El
0
socket)
.

NOTE-

Removal
of
the
access
plugs
allows
the
lower
exhaust
camshaft
sprocket
mounting
bolts
to
be
accessed
.

8
.
Depress
secondary
timing
chain
tensioner
and
lock
it
in
down
position
by
inserting
a
stiff
wire
into
rear
of
ten-
sioner
.
See
Fig
.
27
.

9
.
Remove
VANOS
control
unít
mounting
nuts
and
boltat

front
of
cylinder
head
.

117-
1
8



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

CAUTION-

It
is
crítical
that
the
exhaustcamshaft
sprocket
be

turned
only
the
mínimum
amount
necessary
to

engage
the
gear
cup
.
If
this
procedure
is
done
ín-
correctly,
the
VANOS
system
may
not
function

throughout
íts
full
range
.

NOTE-

As
the
control
unit
isinstalled,
the
secondary
sprockets
will
rotate
in
the
counterclockwise
direction
.
It
may
be

necessary
to
guide
sprockets
counterclockwise
as
the

control
unit
is
installed
.

8
.
On
cars
built
from3/95
:
Use
a
spanner
tool
(See
Fig
.

39
.),
turn
exhaust
sprocket
counterclockwise
(as

víewed
from
front
of
engine)
only
enough
to
mesh

gear
cup
splines
with
camshaftgear
.
Slowly
push

VANOS
control
unit
towards
camshaft
until
it
is
fully

seated,guiding
chains
in
counterclockwise
direction
.

CA
UTION-

Ensure
that
the
first
available
tooth
engages
.

9
.
Install
and
tightencontrol
unit
nuts
and
bolt
.

10
.
Connect
harness
connector
to
VANOS
solenoid
.
Using

new
seals,
insta¡¡
oil
line
fitting
.

Tightening
Torques

"
VANOS
control
unitto
cylinder
head

M6
nut
.....
..
..
.
.
.............
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

M8
bolt
.....
.
.
.
.
..
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
line
to
control
unit
.
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

11
.
Slowlyunlock
and
release
secondary
chain
tensioner
.

12
.
Preloadprimary
chain
by
tightening
BMW
special
tool

no
.
112
240
(dummy
chain
tensioner)
to
1
.3
Nm
(11
in-
lb)
.
Then
tighten
exhaust
camshaft
sprocket
mounting

bolts
alternately
in
two
stages
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Secondarytiming
chain
sprockets
to
camshafts

(Tora
boits)

Stage
1
..
...............
...
.
.
...
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)

Stage
2
..
...............
...
.
.
..
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)

13
.
Remove
flywheel
locking
tool
from
transmission
bell-

housing
.
Remove
camshaft
locking
tool
from
rear
of

cylinder
head
.

14
.
Turn
engine
over
by
hand
at
least
two
fui¡
crankshaft
ro-

tations
.
Reinstall
camshaft
locking
tool
and
flywheel

locking
toolto
make
sure
all
adjustments
are
correct
.
If

settings
are
correct,
remove
locking
tools
.

15
.
Remove
BMW
special
tool
112
420
(dummy
chain
ten-
sioner)
from
side
of
cylinder
head
.
Install
primary
chain

tensioner
so
that
cutout
in
tensioner
piston
engages

chain
rail
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
Using
new
seals,
install
and

tighten
access
plugs
in
VANOS
control
unit
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Access
plugs
to

VANOS
control
unit
.
..
.
.....
.
..
...
50
Nm
(37
ft-lb)

"
Primary
timing
chain
tensioner
plug
to
tensioner
sleeve

M50/S50USengine
.
.
..
.
.
...
.
...
..
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

M52/S52US
engine
...
..
...
...
...
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

16
.
Install
oil
baffle
cover
above
intake
camshaft
.
Install

three
cylinder
head
covermounting
studs
to
rear
of

head
.
Instali
cylinder
head
cover
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover

to
cylinder
head
(M6
screws)
......



10
Nm
(89
in-Ib)

17
.
Installationof
remaining
parts
is
reverse
of
removal
.

NOTE-

Be
sure
to
install
the
ground
wíres
at
the
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
and
at
the
front
of
the
cylinder
head,
if
applicable
.

119
Lubrication
System

LUBRICATION
SYSTEM



119-1

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...,
,
...
.
.
.
.
119-1



OH
pan,
removing
and
installing

(6-cylinder
engine,
1992
models)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
119-4

TROUBLESHOOTING
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
119-1



Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing
Oil
pressure,
checking
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
119-1



(6-cylinder
engine,
1993
and
later
models)
.119-6

Oil
pressure
warning
system,
testing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
119-2



OIL
PUMP
.
.......
.
.............



.119-8

OIL
PAN
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
119-2



Oil
pump,
removing
and
installing

Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing



(4-cylinder
engine)
.
.
.
...
.
..........
.
.
.119-8

(4-cylinder
engines)
.
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
119-2



Oil
pump,
removing
and
installing
(6-cylinder
engine)
.
.
.....
.
.........
.
.119-10

GENERAL



Oil
pressure,
checking

The
oil
pan
and
the
oil
pump
can
be
removed
with
theen-
gine
installed,
although
engine
liftinglsupport
equipment
is
necessary
.

NOTE-

Oil
change
procedure
and
oil
filter
replacement
are
covered
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.

Al¡
engines
are
equipped
with
an
oil
pressure
warning
sys-
tem
to
help
prevent
engine
damage
.
Other
safety
features
in-
clude
:

"
A
filter
bypass
to
provide
lubrication
should
the
oil
filter
become
clogged
.

"
An
oil
pump
pressure
relief
valve
to
prevent
excessive

system
pressure
.

TROUBLESHOOTING

The
lubrication
warning
system
consists
of
an
oil
pressure

switch
mounted
in
the
oil
circuit
and
an
instrument
panel
warn-

ing
light
.

CAUTION-

If
the
red
oil
pressurewarning
light
comes
on
or
flashes
on
while
driving,
always
assume
that
the
oil
pressure
is
low
.

To
perform
an
oíl
pressure
test,
BMW
specifies
special
tools
that
attach
to
thetop
of
the
oíl
filter
housing
.
The
following
pro-
cedure
works
well
using
standard
automotive
oil
pressure
testing
equipment
attached
to
the
oil
pressure
switch
port
in
the
engine
.
In
some
engines,
however,
access
tothis
port
may
be
extremely
restricted
.

1
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
andremove
switch
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

NOTE-

Thoroughly
clean
around
the
oil
pressure
switchbefore
removing
it
.

Fig
.
1
.



Oil
pressure
switch
location
on
M50
engine
(arrow)
.

TROUBLESHOOTING

119-2



LUBRICATION
SYSTEM

NOTE-
Component
Location



If
the
light
does
not
go
out,
thewiring
to
theswitch
is"
Oil
pressure
switch



most
likely
grounded
somewhere
between
the
switch

all
engines
.......
...
.
..
......
ora
oil
filter
housing



terminal
and
the
warning
light
.
Sea
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
atrearof
manual
for
electrical
schematics
.

CAUTION-

Some
oil
may
drain
out
as
the
oil
pressure
switch
is
removed
.
Use
a
rag
to
soak
up
any
spills
.

2
.
Install
pressure
gauge
in
place
of
switch
.

3
.
With
gauge
instalied,
start
engine
and
allow
to
reach

operating
temperature
.
Check
oil
pressureboth
cold

and
hot
.

NOTE-

For
the
most
accurate
test
results,
the
engine
oil
(and
filter)
shouldbe
newand
of
the
correct
grade
.

Oil
Pressure

"
¡dle
(mínimum)
..
.
.
..............
.
.
0
.5
bar
(7psi)

"
Regulated
pressure
(elevated
engine
speed)

4-cylinder
engines
..
......
4
.3
±
0
.2
bar
(63
t3
psi)

6-cylinder
engines
.
.
.............
.
4
.0
bar
(59
psi)

4
.
Remove
pressure
gauge
and
reinstall
pressure
switch
.

If
testing
shows
low
oil
pressure,
one
or
more
of
the
follow-

ing
conditions
may
be
indicated
:
OIL
PAN

"
Worn
or
faulty
oii
pump
.

"
Worn
or
faulty
engine
bearings



The
oil
pancan
be
removed
with
the
engine
instalied,
al-

Severe
engine
wear
.



though
specíal
enginesupport
equipment
will
be
needed
.

Al¡
of
these
conditionsindicate
the
need
for
major
repairs
.

Oil
pressure
warning
system,
testing

When
the
ignition
is
tumed
ora,
the
oil
pressure
warning
light

comes
ora
.
When
the
engine
ís
started
and
the
oil
pressure
ris-

es
slightly,
the
oil
pressure
switch
opens
and
thewarning
light

goes
out
.
Make
sure
the
oil
leve¡
is
correct
before
making

tests
.

1
.
Turra
ignition
switch
ora
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
light
up
.

2
.
Remove
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
go
out
.

OIL
PAN

3
.
If
warning
light
does
not
light
when
ignition
is
ora,
re-

move
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
anduse
a

jumper
wire
to
ground
connector
terminal
to
a
clean

metal
surface
.

NOTE
-

If
the
warning
light
comes
ora,
check
the
switch
as
de-
scríbed
in
the
nextstep
.
If
the
warning
light
does
not
come
ora,
thewiring
to
the
instrument
cluster
or
to
the

light
itself
isfaulty
.

4
.
To
test
switch,
connect
ara
ohmmeter
between
terminal

in
switch
body
and
ground
.
With
engine
off,
these

should
be
continuity
.
With
engine
running,
oil
pressure

should
opera
switch
and
there
should
beno
continuity

Replace
a
faulty
switch
.

WARNING
-

Keep
in
mind
that
low
oil
pressure
may
be
prevent-

ing
the
switch
from
tuming
the
light
out
.
If
the
light

remains
ora
while
the
engine
is
running,
check
the

oil
pressure
asdescribed
earlier
.
Do
not
drive
the
car
until
the
problem
is
corrected
.
Theengine
may
be
severely
damaged
.

Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing

(4-cylinder
engines)

1
.
Raise
car
arad
place
securely
ora
jackstands
.

2
.
Remove
splash
shíeld(s)
from
under
engine,
where
ap-

plicable
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-
gram
.

4
.
Disconnect
vacuum
hose
adapter
from
vacuum
brake

booster
at
rear
of
engine
compartment
.

5
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
nut
and
pull
guide
tube
from
oil
pan
.
See
Fig
.
2
.