020-
1
0
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
1.
Run
engine
for
afewminutes
to
warm
engine
oil
.
Shut
5
.
When
oil
flow
has
diminished
to
an
occasional
drip,
re-
engine
off
.
install
drain
plugwith
a
new
metal
sealing
washerand
torque
plug
.
2
.
With
car
on
level
ground,
place
drain
pan
under
oil
drain
plug
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Engine
oil
drain
plug
M12
bolt
(17mm
wrench)
.
...
.
..
.
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)
-
M22
bolt
(19mm
.
wrench)
...
.
...
.
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)
Fig
.
5
.
Engine
oil
drain
plug(arrow)
in
oil
pan
.
3
.
Remove
filter
housingcover
.
Remove
filter
cartridge
and
discard
any
O-rings
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
CAUTION-
Pulí
the
loose
plug
away
from
the
hole
quickly
to
avoidbeing
bumed
by
hot
oil
.
It
wíll
runout
quickly
when
the
plug
ís
removed
.
If
possible,
use
gloves
to
protect
your
hands
.
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
0012460
Fig
.
6
.
Engine
oil
filter
cartridge
.
Note
O-ring
locations
when
removing
cover
and
filter
.
4
.
Using
a
socket
or
box
wrench,
loosen
drain
plug
at
oil
drain
pan
.
By
hand,
remove
plug
and
letoil
drain
into
pan
.
6
.
Lubricate
and
install
new
O-rings
.
Install
a
new
filter
cartridge
and
housingcover
.
Tighten
cover
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
7
«
a~
.~~
fT~
iII~IIIi~
.
Fig
.
7
.
Oil
flter
housing
on
6-cylínder
engine
.
4-cylinder
engine
is
similar
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Engine
oil
filter
cover
to
oil
filter
housing
...................
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)
7
.
Refill
crankcase
with
oil
.'Approximate
oil
capacity
is
list-
ed
in
Tablee
.
Use
dipstick
to
check
correct
oil
level
.
8
.
Start
engine
and
check
that
oil
pressure
warning
light
immediately
goes
out
.
9
.
Allow
engine
to
run
for
a
few
minutes
to
círculate
new
oil,
then
check
for
leaks
at
drain
plug
and
oil
filter
.
Stop
engine
and
reclieck
oil
level
.
ENGINE
COMPAR
ENT
MAINTENANCE
The
information
underthis
heading
describes
routine
mainte-
nance-other
than
oil
change-done
in
the
engine
compart-
ment
.
It
is
not
necessary
for
the
car
to
be
raised
and
supported
off
the
ground
.
Information
on
oil
change
is
given
earlier
under
Engine
Oil
Change
.
020-
1
2
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
6-cylinder
engines
use
a
coil-on-plug
configuration,
and
re-
Battery
cablesshould
be
tight
.
The
terminals,
the
cable
moval
of
thetop
engine
cover
(between
the
camshafts)
and
ig-
clamps,
and
the
battery
case
should
be
freeof
the
white
deposits
nition
cofs
are
necessary
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
Blow
away
any
dust
or
that
indicate
corrosion
and
acid
salts
.
Even
a
thin
¡ayer
of
dust
dirt
around
the
ignition
coils,
and
then
remove
the
coils
.
Blow
containing
conductive
acid
salts
can
cause
battery
discharge
.
away
any
dustor
dirt
around
the
sparkplugs
.
Remove
the
spark
plugs
.
To
remove
battery
corrosion,
begin
by
disconnecting
theca-
bles
.
Disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
first
.
Clean
the
terminal
posts
and
the
cable
clamps
with
a
wire
brush
.
Clean
the
main
chassis
ground
terminal
next
to
the
battery
.
Corrosion
can
be
washedaway
with
a
baking
soda
and
water
solution
that
will
neutralize
the
acid
.
Apply
the
solution
carefully,
though,since
ít
will
also
neutralize
the
acid
inside
the
battery
.
Reconnect
the
ca-
ble
clamps,
positive
(+)
cable
first
.
Lightly
coat
the
outside
of
the
terminals,
hold
down
screws,
and
clamps
with
petroleum
jelly,
grease,
or
a
commercial
battery
terminal
corrosion
inhibitor
.
Fig
.
12
.
Ignition
coil
being
removed
from
spark
plug
on
M52
engine
.
NOTE-
If
necessary,
see
120
Ignition
System
for
more
details
on
coil
removal
.
B11004
Lightlylubricate
the
new
spark
plug
threads
with
a
small
amount
of
anti-seize
compound
.
Thread
the
plugs
into
the
cyl-
inder
head
byhand
to
prevent
cross-threading
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Spark
plug
to
cylinder
head
.......
25
Nm
(18
ft-ib)
Idie
Speed
Engine
¡dle
speed
canchange
due
to
a
number
of
factors,
in-
cluding
normal
wear
.
The
idle
speed
is
electronically
adaptive
and
non-adjustable
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection
for
more
information
.
Battery,
checking
and
cleaning
The
battery
is
located
in
the
right
side
of
the
luggage
com-
partment
.
Simple
maintenance
of
the
battery
and
its
terminal
connections
will
ensure
maximum
starting
performance,
espe-
cially
in
winter
when
colder
temperaturesreduce
battery
power
.
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
WARNING
-
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manualonpage
viii
.
"
Battery
acid
is
extremely
dangerous
.
Take
care
to
keep
it
from
contacting
eyes,
skin,
or
clothing
.
Wear
eye
protection
.
Extinguish
all
smoking
ma-
terials
and
do
not
worknear
any
oyen
flames
.
Battery
electrolyte
should
be
maintained
at
the
correct
level
just
above
the
battery
plates
and
their
separators
.
The
correct
leve¡
is
approximately
5
mm
(
1
/4
in
.)
above
thetop
of
battery
plates
orto
thetop
of
the
indicator
marks
(if
applicable)
.
The
battery
plates
and
the
indicator
marks
can
beseen
once
the
fill-
er
caps
are
removed
.
If
the
electrolyte
level
is
low,
replenish
it
by
adding
distilled
water
only
.
Battery,
repiacing
Batteries
are
rated
by
ampere
hours
(Ah),
the
number
of
hoursa
specific
current
draín
can
be
sustained
before
complete
discharge,
or
by
cold
cranking
amps
(CCA),
the
number
of
amps
available
to
crank
the
engine
in
cold
weather
conditions
.
In
general,
replacement
batteries
should
alwaysbe
rated
equal
or
higherthan
the
original
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
thls
manual
on
page
viii
.
The
battery
is
held
in
place
bya
single
hand
screw
and
píate
.
A
secure
battery
hold-down
is
important
in
order
to
prevent
vi-
brations
and
road
shock
from
damaging
the
battery
.
NOTE-
NOTE-
"
Always
disconnect
the
negative
()
cable
first,
and
Design
characteristics
of
the
convertible
body
cause
vi-
connect
ft
last
While
changing
batteries,
clean
away
brations
in
the
trunk
area
.
Therefore,
E36
convertibles
any
corrosion
in
or
around
the
battery
tray
.
require
a
specialbattery
designed
for
constant
vibra-
tion
.
When
repiacing
the
battery,
be
sure
the
replace-
"
Design
characteristics
of
the
convertible
body
cause
ment
is
designed
specffically
for
the
convertible
.
vibrations
to
oscillate
in
the
trunk
area
.
Therefore,
the
convertible
model
uses
a
specialbattery
designed
for
this
constant
vibration
.
020-
1
4
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
uu11989
Fig
.
14
.
Engine
drive
belt
tensíoner
being
released
on
late
4-cylinder
engine
.
Pry
off
tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
in
clockwise
direction
(as
facing
engine)
and
slip
beltoff
pulleys
.
Fig
.
17
.
Engine
drive
belt
routing
for
late
4-cylinder
engine
with
poly-
ribbed
drivebelts
.
CA
UTION-
Use
only
BMW
approved
phosphate-free
anti-
freeze
when
filling
the
cooling
system
.
Use
of
anti-
B11177
freeze
containing
phosphates
!s
considerad
to
be
Fig
.
15
.
Engine
drive
belt
tensioner
being
released
on
6-cylinder
en-
harmful
to
the
cooling
system
.
gine
.
Pry
off
tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
in
clock-
wise
direction
(as
facing
engine)
and
slipbelt
off
pulleys
.
A
translucent
expansion
tank,
or
overflow
resenroir,
providesmonitóring
of
coolant
leve¡
.
Because
the
expansion
tank
is
translucent,
thecoolant
level
can
be
checked
visually
without
opening
the
system
.
Always
check
thecoolant
leve¡
with
theen-gine
cold
.
The
coolant
leve¡
should
be
at
the
maximum
mark
on
O
o
'~
I
the
expansion
tank,
as
shown
in
Fig
.
18
.
OO
Hose
connectionhld
b
tiht
s
soueg
an
ddry
.
Coolánt
seepage
indicates
either
that
the
hose
clamp
is
loose,
that
the
pose
is
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
0012470
Fig
.
16
.
Engine
drive
belt
routing
for
6-cylinder
engine
.
A/C
compres-
sor
drive
belt
not
shown
.
'92
irá
Alternator
belt
Coolant~
0
pp
o0o
Belt
tensioner
Cooling
System
Service
0013000
Cooling
system
maintenance
consists
of
maíntaining
thecoolant
leve¡,
inspecting
hoses
.
Because
the
coolant's
anti-cor-
rosion
and
anti-freeze
additives
gradually
lose
their
effective-
ness,
replacement
of
thecoolant
every
two
years
up
to
1996
models,
and
every
three
years
from
1996
is
recommended
.
Asa
preventive
measure,
replacement
of
the
cooling
system
hos-
es
every
four
years
is
also
recommended
.
damaged,
or
that
the
connection
is
dirty
or
corroded
.
Dried
cool-
ant
has
a
chalky
appearance
.
Hoses
should
be
firm
and
springy
.
Replace
any
hose
that
is
cracked,
that
has
become
soft
and
limp,
or
has
been
contaminated
by
oil
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
Power
steering
fluid,
checking
leve¡
Check
the
power
steering
fluid
level
in
the
fluid
reservoir
.
Park
thecar
on
leve¡
ground
with
the
engine
off
.
The
level
is
cor-
rect
if
it
is
between
the
MIN
and
MAX
marks
on
the
dipstick
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
If
the
leve¡
is
below
the
MIN
mark,
start
the
engine
andadd
fluid
to
the
reservoir
to
bríng
the
leve¡
up
.
Stop
the
engine
and
recheck
the
leve¡
.
Hand-tighten
the
reservoir
cap
.
GENERAL
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-1
Cylinder
Block
and
Crankshaft
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-1
Connecting
Rods
and
Pistons
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-1
Cylinder
Head
and
Valvetrain
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-2
VANOS
(Variable
Valve
Timing)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-2
DISA
(Dual
Resonance
Intake
System)
.
.
.
.
.
100-3
Engine
Management
System
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-3
Ignition
......
.
.
.
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Fuel
Delivery
..
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Cooling
System
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
100-5
Lubrication
System
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
MECHANICALTROUBLESHOOTING
.
.
.
.
100-5
Warnings
and
Cautions
..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Cylinder
compression,
checking
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-6
EngineMechanical
Troubleshooting
Table
.
.
.
100-7
DRIVEABILITY
TROUBLESHOOTING
...
100-8
GENERAL
There
are
various
engíne
configurations
used
in
the
1992-
1998
E36
cars
.
See
Table
a
.
On
both
four-
and
6-cylinder
engines,
the
cylinder
block
is
cast
¡ron
with
integral
cyiinders
.
The
cyiinders
are
exposed
on
all
sides
to
circulating
coolant
.
The
fully
counterweighted
crankshaft
rotates
in
replaceable
split-shell
main
bearings
.
Oiiways
drilled
into
the
crankshaft
pro-
vide
bearing
lubrication
.
O¡I
seals
pressed
into
alloy
sea¡
hous-
ings
are
installedat
both
ends
of
the
crankshaft
.
100
Engine-General
Tablea
.
Engine
Specifications
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-1
On-Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-8
Basic
Requirements
....
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.100-11
Preventive
Maintenance
......
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-11
Basic
Engine
Settings
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-11
Oxygen
Sensors
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.100-11
Air
Flow
Measurement
and
Vacuum
Leaks
.
.100-12
Battery
Voltage
.
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-12
Wiring
and
Harness
Connections
.
.
.
.
.....
100-13
Ground
Connections
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-13
Fue¡
Supply
....
.
...........
.
.
..
.....
.100-14
TABLES
a
.
Engine
Specifications
...
...
...........
.
..
..
.100-1
b
.
Engine
Management
Systems
..
..
...........
..
100-5
c
.
Engine
Mechanical
Troubleshooting
..........
.
.
100-8
d
.
OBD
1
Fault
(Blink)
Codes
(1992-1995
models
only)
.
...
..
..
..........
..
.100-9
e
.
Engine
Driveability
Troubleshooting
...........
.100-15
Model
Engine
code
No
.
of
Dispiacement
Compression
Horsepower
cyiinders
liters
(cu
.
in
.)
ratio
SAE
net
@
rpm
318i/is/¡C
1992-1995
M42
4
1
.8
(109
.6)
10
.0
:1
100
@
6000
1996-1998
M44
4
1
.9
(115
.6)
~
10
.0
:1
103
@
6000
323ís/iC
1998
M52
6
2
.5
(152
.2)
10
.5
:1
168
@
5,500
325i/is/iC
1992-1995
M50
6
2
.5
(152
.2)
10
.0
:1
110
@
5,900
328i/is/iC
1996-1998
M52
6
2
.8
(170
.4)
10
.2
:1
190
@
5,300
M3
1995
S50US
6
3
.0
(182
.5)
10
.5:1
240
@
6,000
1996-1998
S52US
6
3
.2
(192
.3)
10
.5:1
240
@
6,000
Cylinder
Block
and
Crankshaft
Connecting
Rods
and
Pistons
The
forged
connecting
rods
use
replaceable
split-shell
bearings
at
the
crankshaft
endand
solid
bushings
at
the
pis-
ton
pin
end
.
The
pistonsare
of
the
three-ring
typewith
two
up-
per
compression
rings
and
a
lowerone-piece
o¡i
scraper
ring
.
Fui¡-floating
piston
pins
are
retained
with
circlips
.
GENERAL
100-4
ENGINE-GENERAL
'
TEMP
PRECAT
POST
CAT
OXYGENSENSOR
HEATING
#
.
THROTTLE
POSITION
FUEL
INJECTOR
CONTROL
(SEQUENTIAL)
OPERATING
POWER
00
CAMSHAFT
POSITION
SENSOR
ECM
I
MAIN
GROUND
RELAY
J_
-
AC
COMPRESSOR
RELAY
CONTROL
TERMINAL
15
MEMORY
POWER
FUEL
PUMP
RELAY
CONTROL
AUX
GROUND
P
CRANKSHAFT
POSITION
dESENSOR
INTAKE
AIR
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
FUEL
TANK
PRESSURE
SENSOR
S-EML
S-MSR
ASC
S-ASC
VEHICLE
SPEED
LOW
FUEL
LEVEL
A/C
SWITCH
ON
(AC)
E36
IHKA
COMPRESSOR"ON"
SIGNAL
(KO)
INDIVIDUAL
SERIAL
NUMBER
MS41
.1
SECONDARY
AIR
1NJECTION
AIR
PUMP®
RELAY
CONTROL
IDLE
CONTROL
VALVE
'M
FUEL
INJECTION
(TI)
ENGINE
SPEED
(TD)
Fig
.
5
.
Siemens
MS
41
.1
OBD
II
engine
management
systemusedon
1996
and
later
M52
engines
.
GENERAL
IGNITION
COILS
CONTROL
L
r"Q
if~
CIYVFIYC
CHE
AMP
CONTROL
ENGINE
THROTTLE
POSITION
6
ECM
RELAY
CONTROL
ASC
THROTTLE
..
:
.
.
..
-11
1Q\\\
POTENTIOMETER
POWER
CAN
TCM
II
SCAN
(DES
;
ER
DIAGNOSIS
OBD
II
I
II
GENERIC
SCANTOOL
0012596
ignition
Table
b
.
Engine
Management
Systems
engine
has
high
mileage
.
Engine
1
System
4-cylinder
engines
M42
(1992-1995)
Bosch
DME
Ml
.7
M44
(1996-1998)
Bosch
DME
M5
.2
(OBD
II)
6-cylinder
engines
M50
(1992)
Bosch
DME
M3
.1
M50
VANOS
(1993-1995)
Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1
M52
(1996-1998)
Siemens
MS41
.1
(OBD
II)
S50US
(1995)
Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1
S52US
(1996-1998)
Siemens
MS41
.1
(OBD
II)
Both
the
4-cylinder
and
6-cylinder
engines
use
a
distributor-
less
ignition
system
with
individual
ignition
coils
for
each
cylin-
der
.
FuelDelivery
Pressurized
fuel
from
the
in-tank
fuel
pump
is
injected
via
solenoid-type
fuel
injectors
.
The
ECM
controls
the
opening
and
closing
of
the
injectors
by
switchingthe
ground
side
of
each
injector
circuit
.
The
exact
amount
of
fuel
injected
is
de-
termined
by
the
amount
of
timethe
injectors
are
open
.
Cooling
System
Whenever
the
engine
is
running,
acoolant
pump
circulates
coolant
through
the
engine
and,
if
either
heater
control
valves
are
open,
through
the
heater
core
in
the
passenger
compart-
ment
.
The
coolant
absorbs
excess
heat
and
carries
it
to
the
ra-
diator
where
it
is
transferred
into
the
passing
airstream
.
A
thermostat
controls
the
flow
of
coolant
through
the
radiator
based
on
engine
temperature
.
Lubrication
System
The
lubrication
system
is
pressurized
whenever
theengine
is
running
.
The
oil
pump
draws
oil
through
a
pickup
in
the
bot-
tom
of
the
oil
pan,thenforces
it
through
a
replaceable
oil
filter
and
finto
the
engine
oíi
passages
.
On
4-cylinder
engines,
the
oil
pump
is
mounted
to
the
front
engine
cover
.
On
6-cylinder
engines,thechain-driven
oil
pump
is
bolted
to
the
bottom
of
the
cylinder
block
.
A
pressure
relief
valve
limits
the
maximum
system
pres-
sure
.
A
bypass
valve
prevents
the
oil
filter
from
bursting
and
insures
engine
lubrication
should
the
filter
become
plugged
.
See
119
Lubrication
System
for
additional
information
.
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-
5
Various
versions
of
DME
systems
are
usedon
thecars
cov-
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
ered
by
this
manual
.
See
Table
b
.
Each
system
is
highly
adaptive
to
compensate
for
things
suchasengine
wear
and
When
troubleshooting
an
engine
that
fails
to
start
or
runs
vacuum
leaks
.
poorly,
first
check
its
mechanical
condition-particularly
if
the
Warnings
and
Cautions
For
personal
safety,
as
well
asthe
protection
of
sensitive
electronic
components,
the
following
warnings
and
cautions
must
be
adhered
to
during
all
troubleshooting,
maintenance,
and
repairwork
.
WARNING
-
"
The
ignition
system
produces
high
voltages
that
can
be
fatal
.
Avoid
contact
with
exposed
termi-
nals
anduse
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
switched
on
or
the
engine
running
.
"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
high
voltage
ca-
bles
from
the
coil,
distributor,
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
is
running
or
being
cranked
by
the
starter
"
Connect
and
disconnect
the
engine
manage-
ment
system
wiring
and
test
equipment
leads
only
when
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.
"
Gasoline
is
highly
flammable
and
its
vapors
are
explosive
.
Do
not
smoke
or
work
on
a
car
near
heaters
or
other
fire
hazards
when
diagnosing
and
repairing
fuel
system
problems
.
Have
a
fire
extínguisher
available
in
case
of
an
emergency
.
"
Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
code(s)
stored
in
control
module
memory
.
Using
special
BMW
diagnosnnc
equipment,
check
for
fault
codes
prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery
cables
.
If
the
Check
Engine
lightis
illuminated,
see
On-
Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
forfault
code
infor-
mation
.
If
any
other
system
faults
havebeen
de-tected
(indicated
byan
illuminated
warning
light),
see
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
CAUTION-
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
gíven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
"
Do
notconnect
any
test
equipment
that
delivers
a
12-volt
power
supply
to
terminal15
(+)
of
the
ignition
coil
.
The
current
flow
may
damage
the
ECM
.
In
general,
connect
test
equipment
only
as
specified
by
BMW,
this
manual,
or
the
equip-
ment
maker
.
"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
with
the
engine
running
.
Do
notrunthe
engine
with
any
of
the
sparkplug
wires
disconnected
.
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
eiioo4
Fig
.
9
.
Remove
ignition
coils
on
6-cylinder
engine
by
disconnecting
harness
connector
and
removing
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
NOTE-
"
The
compression
gauge
reading
shoutd
increase
with
each
compression
stroke
and
reach
near
its
maxi-
mum
reading
in
about
4-6
strokes
.
"All
cylinders
shoutdreach
maximum
compression
in
the
same
number
of
strokes
.
If
a
cylinder
needs
sig-
nificantly
more
strokes
to
reach
maximum
compres-
sion,
there
is
a
problem
.
7
.
Release
the
pressure
at
the
compression
gauge
valve,
then
remove
the
gauge
from
the
spark
plughole
.
Re-
peat
the
test
for
each
of
the
other
cylinders
and
com-
pare
the
results
with
the
values
given
below
.
ENGINE-GENERAL
1
:00-
7
Compression
Pressure
"
Minimum
..........
.
.
..
..
10-11
bar
(142-156
psi)
"
Maximum
difference
between
cylinders
..
.....
.........
0
.5
bar
(7
psi)
Reinstall
the
spark
plugs
and
spark
plug
wires
or
ignition
cofs
.
The
remainder
of
installation
is
the
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
reihstall
al¡
wires
disconnected
during
the
test,
especial-
¡y
ground
wires
at
the
coils
and
cylinder
head
cover
(where
ap-
plicable)
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Spark
plug
to
cylinder
head
.......
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)
Low
compression
indicates
a
poorly
sealed
combustion
6
.
With
the
parking
brake
set,
the
transmission
in
Park
or
chamber
.
Relatively
even
pressures
that
are
below
specification
Neutral,
and
the
accelerator
pedal
pressed
to
the
floor,
normally
indicate
worn
piston
rings
and/or
cylinder
walls
.
Erratic
crank
the
engine
with
the
starter
.
Record
the
highest
values
tend
to
indicate
valve
leakage
.
Dramatic
differences
be
value
indicated
by
the
gauge
.
tween
cylinders
are
often
the
sign
of
a
failed
head
gasket,
bumed
valve,
or
broken
piston
ring
.
Engine
Mechanical
Troubleshooting
Table
Table
c
lists
the
symptoms
of
common
engine
mechanical
problems,
their
probable
causes
and
the
suggested
corrective
actions
.
The
bold
type
indicates
the
repair
groups
where
appli-
cable
test
and
repair
procedures
can
befound
.
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
Graphic
representation
of
flashing
Check
Engine
light
fault
code
:
1221
-
;
5
Seconds
.
~-
2
.5;-
Fault
code
and
meaning
Corrective
action
Code
1286
:
Knock
control
test
pulse
(DME
3
.3
.1
only)
Check
DME
control
module
inputs/outputs
.
Control
module
may
be
faulty
Repair
Group
130
Code
1000
(light
remains
off)
:
End
of
fault
code
output-all
fault
codes
have
been
displayed
.
No
~
corrective
action
necessary
.
Repeat
test
if
necessary
Code
1444
:
No
more
faults
.
No
corrective
action
necessary
.
This
code
must
be
present
lo
erase
fault
memory
Basic
Requirements
Preventive
Maintenance
The
following
list
contains
basic
checks
that
should
be
made
when
experiencing
driveability
problems
.
1
.
Check
intake
(induction)
system
for
leaks
.
Check
for
cracked,
loose,
or
disconnected
hoses
and
duct
work
.
Check
that
all
hose
clamps
are
tight
.
NOTE-
An
air
leak
allows
unmeasured
airto
enter
the
engine,
offen
resulting
in
an
in
overly
lean
fuel
mixture
and
causing
driveability
problems
which
will
cause
the
Check
Engine
light
to
come
on
.
Table
d
.
OBD
I
Fault
(Blink)
Codes
(continued)
(1992-1995
models
only)
7
-
1
--------------
Check
Engine
light
on
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-
1
1
Check
Engine
light
off
The
condition
of
the
fuel,
ignition
and
emission
controlsys-
tem
components
has
a
directeffect
onengineperformance
and
driveability
.
BMW
specifies
maintenance
of
certain
parts
at
regular
intervals
lo
keep
the
engine
in
proper
tune
.
Extend-
ing
maintenance
intervals
beyond
the
time
or
mileagerecom-
mended
bythe
manufacturer
can
adversely
affect
the
way
the
engine
runs
.
When
troubleshooting
driveability
problems,
a
good
starting
point
is
to
perform
a
major
engine
service,par-
ticularly
if
one
is
overdue
.
For
maintenance
schedules,
major
engine
service
and
other
driveability-related
maintenance
procedures,
see020
Maintenance
Program
.
Basic
Engine
Settings
2
.
Check
that
the
battery
isin
good
condition
.
Check
that
the
cables
are
tight
and
free
of
corrosion
at
both
ends
.
Idle
speed,
idle
mixture
(%CO),
and
ignition
timing
are
not
Check
that
all
related
ground
points
are
firmly
connect-
adjustable
.
The
adaptive
engine
management
system
is
de-
ed
and
in
good
condition
.
Check
al¡
harness
connectors
signed
lo
automatically
compensate
for
changes
in
engine
op-
for
damage
and
corrosion
.
erating
conditions,
although
the
adaptive
range
is
limited
.
Once
these
limits
are
exceeded,
driveability
problems
usually
3
.
Check
for
prwer
and
ground
at
the
Engine
Control
become
noticeable
.
Module
(ECM)
.
Check
the
main
grounds
for
the
ECM
.
See130
Fuel
Injection
.
NOTE-
If
the
DME
adaptive
limits
are
exceeded,
the
Check
En-
4
.
Check
the
fuses
.
Check
for
sufficient
fuel
in
the
tank
.
If
gine
light
will
come
on,
indicating
an
emission
related
the
engine
ranout
of
fuel,
it
will
take
a
little
time
to
re-
fault
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection,
store
fuel
pressure
.
See
160
Fuel
Tank
and
Fuel
Pump
.
Oxygen
Sensors
5
.
Check
for
spark
at
the
spark
plugs
.
If
the
tachometer
needle
bounces
while
the
engine
is
crankedby
the
A
high
oxygen
level
in
the
engine
exhaust
indicates
a
lean
starter
then
the
ignition
system
is
probably
working
cor-
air-fuel
mixture
and
a
low
oxygen
level
indicates
a
rich
mix
rectly
.
See
120
Ignition
System
.
ture
.
The
oxygen
sensor,
shown
in
Fig
.
10,
measures
the
oxy-
gen
content
in
the
exhaust
gasand
generates
a
variable
6
.
Check
for
any
faults
through
the
On-Board
Diagnostics
voltage
signal
.
Using
that
feedback
signal
asan
input,
the
system
.
See
On-Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
.
DME
control
module
fine
tunes
the
air-fuel
mixture
.
DRIVEABILITY
TROUBLESHOOTING