1997 BMW 528i Car engin

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01 0-1 2
1 General
Information you need to know
Model
When ordering parts it is important that you know the correct
model designation for your car. Models covered in this E39
manual are the
525i,5281,530i, 540i in Sedan and Station
Wagon body styles.
Model year
This is not necessarily the same as date of manufacture or
date of sale.
A 1999 model may have been manufactured in
late 1998, and perhaps not sold until early 2000. It is still a
1999 model. Model years covered by this manual are 1997 to
2002.
Date of manufacture
This information is necessary when ordering replacement
parts or determining if any of the warranty recalls are applica-
ble to your car. The label on the driver's door below the door
latch will specify the month and year that the car was built.
Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
This is a combination of letters and numbers that identify the
particular car. The VIN appears on the state registration doc-
ument, and on the car itself. One location is on the right front
strut tower in the engine compartment (arrow), another in the
lower left corner of the windshield.
Engine code
5 Series car covered in this manual are powered by
6 and 8 - cylinderengines. For information on engine codes and en- -. -
gine applications, see 100 Engine-General. -
Transmission code
The transmission type with its identifying code may be
impor- :
tant when buying clutch parts, seals, gaskets, and other .- transmission-related parts. For information on transmission
codes and applications, see 200 Transmission-General.

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BMW dealers are uniquely qualified to provide service for
BMW cars. Their authorized relationship with the large BMW
service organization means that they have access to special
tools and equipment, together with the latest and most accu-
rate repair information.
The BMW dealer's service technicians are highly trained and
very capable. Authorized BMW dealers are committed to sup-
porting the BMW product. On the other hand, there are many
independent shops that provide quality repairwork.
Checking
with other BMW owners for recommendations on service fa-
cilities is good way to learn of reputable BMW shops in your
area.
Most maintenance can be accomplished with a small selec-
tion of tools. Tools range in quality from inexpensive junk,
which may break at first use, to very expensive and
well-
made tools for the professional. The best tools for most do-it-
yourself BMW owners lie somewhere in between.
Many reputable tool manufacturers offer good quality, moder-
ately priced tools with a lifetime guarantee. These are your
best buy. They cost a little more, but they are good quality
tools that will do what
Is expected of them. Sears' Craftsman@
line is one such source of good quality tools.
Some of the repairs covered in this manual require the use of
special tools, such as a custom puller or specialized electrical
test equipment. These special tools are called out in the text
and can be purchased through an authorized BMW dealer.
As an alternative, some special tools mentioned may be pur-
chased from the following tool manufacturers and/or distribu-
tors:
Specialty tool suppliers
Assenmacher Specialty Tools
6440 Odeli Place
Boulder. CO 80301
Baum Tools Unlimited, Inc.
P.O. Box 5867
Sarasota.
FL 34277-5867

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.-
General
4 An adjustable wrench can be a useful addition to a small tool
kit. It can substitute in a pinch if two wrenches of the same
size are needed to remove a nut and bolt. Use extra care with
adjustable wrenches, as they tend to loosen, slip, and dam-
age fasteners.
Jack stands
v
BOOBFNG
4 Strong jack stands are extremely important for any work that
is done under the car. Use only jack stands that are designed
for the purpose.
Blocks of wood, concrete, bricks, etc. are not
safe or suitable substitutes.
A
jaclc should be used only to raise the vehicle, not to support
the car for a long period. Always use
jack stands to support a
Jackstands are available in several styles. The best ones are
:
made of heavy material for strength, have a wide base for sta-
bility, and are equipped to positively lock in their raised posi-
tion. Get the best ones available.
Compared to
a wrench of the correct size, an adjustable
Oil change equipment
wrench is always second best. They should only be used
when the correct size wrench is not available. Choose one of
average size range, about
6 to 8 inches in length.
4 Changing engine oil requires a 17 mm socket or wrench to
loosen and tighten the drain plug and a drain pan (at least
8
quart capacity). A wide, low drain pan will fit more easily un-
der the car. Use a funnel to pour the new oil into the engine.
BMW engines use an oil filter canister with a disposable filter
cartridge insert. A
36 mm socket or wrench is required to re-
move the oil filtercanistercover. See
020 Maintenance foroil
change instructions.

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-
General
BMW special tools
Many repairs covered in this manual call for the use of BMW
special tools. Many of the BMW special tools mentioned in
this manual are simply the best thing to use to do the job cor-
rectly. In these cases, the tool is identified with a
BMW parl
number. See your authorized BMW dealer parts department
for information on how to order special tools.
There are some jobs for which expensive special tools are es-
sential, and not a cost-effective purchase for a one time repair
by the do-it-yourself owner. This manual includes such re-
pairs for the benefit of those with the necessary experience
and access to tools. For the do-it-yourselfer, the need for spe-
cial tools is noted in the text, and whether or not BMW dealer
service is recommended.
Changing a tire
- Stop car on as flat a surface as possible, in a place where you
can be easily seen by other drivers. Avoid stopping just over
the crest of a hill.
WARNING -
If a tire goes flat while driving, pull well off the road. Changing
a tire on a busy slreet or liigliway is very dangerous. If
nec-
essag drive a short distance on the flat tire to get to a safe
place. It is much better to ruin a tire or rim than to
risk being
hit.
-
- Turn on emergency flashers, and set out flares or emergency
markers well behind car.
Choclc wheel (wheel chock located
in trunk) diagonally opposite to the one being changed. Pas-
sengers should get out of car and stand well away from road.
- Take jaclc and tools from tool area beneath trunk mat. Re-
move spare tire from tire storage tray.
- Loosen wheel bolts while car is on ground, but leave them a
little snug.
< Place jack in lifting point nearest wheel being changed. Use
a board to provide a firm footing for jack if ground is soft.
Raise car only far enough so that the wheel is fully off ground
and then remove wheel nuts and wheel.
- Install spare wheel. Install wheel nuts and tighten them hand
tight using lug nut wrench.

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General
Cars with discharged or dead batteries can be jump-started
using the good battery from another car. See owner's manual
for proper instruction on jump starting. When jump-starling
the engine, always note the following warnings.
4 Lower car. With all wheels on ground, fully tighten nuts in a
WARNING-
* Battery acid (electrolyte) can cause severe burns, and will
damage the
cal; clothing, and you. If electrolyte is spilled,
wash the surface with large quantities of water.
M itgets into
eyes, flush them with water for several minutes and call a
doctor.
B4
5
43
2 BOOIFNG.
Batteries produce explosive and noxious gasses.
Keeps sparks and flames away. Do not smoke near
batteries.
Do notjump-start the engine
ifyou suspect that the bat-
tery is frozen. Trappedgas may explode. Allow the bat-
tery to thaw first.
Do not quick-charge the battery (for boost starting) for
longer than one minute, and do not exceed
16.5 volts
at the battery with the boosting cables attached. Wait at
least one minute before boosting the battery a second
time.
crisscross pattern.
Torque wheel nuts when installing wheel.
Check inflation pressure of spare tire.
Tightening torque
Wheel to wheel hub 120 Nm (89 ft-ib)
Jump starting
Indicator and warning lights
Many vehicle systems are self-monitored for faults while driv-
ing. Generally,
a red warning lamp that comes on during driv-
ing should be considered serious. If you cannot immediately
determine the seriousness of the warning light, stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
Consult the owner's manual for additional information on the
warning lamp and the recommended action.
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
(Check Engine or Ser-
vice Engine Soon warning light) comes on orflashes, it indi-
cates that an emissions-related fault has occurred. Faults
such as a bad oxygen sensor or a dead fuel injector can
cause the exhaust or evaporative emissions to exceed a
specified limit. When these limits are exceeded, the MIL will
be turned on. The engine can be safety driven with the light
on, although the emission systems should be
checked as
soon as possible. See OBD On-Board Diagnostics for

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01 0-20
General
more information on the Check Engine Light and the on-
board diagnostic system.
Towing
The cars covered by this manual should be towed with a tow
truck using wheel lift or flat bed equipment. Do not tow the car
on all four wheels except
forvery short distances to move it to
a safe place.
CA U JION-
Do not tow with sling-type equipment The front spoilers and
b~m~er covers may sustain damage.
4 To access threaded towing eye socltet, pry open trim on front
or rear bumper.
NOJE-
A towing eye is provided in the luggage compartment tool lcit.
The towing eye can be screwed into the front or rear bumper.
4 Install towing eye into threaded hole.
- Standard transmission: Do not tow with rear wheels on
ground unless absolutely necessary.
- Automatic transmission: Have rear wheels placed on dollies,
or use flat bed truck. Use towing eye for winching vehicle on
flat bed.
CAUTION-
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) does not circulate when
I the car is towed. Severe transmission damage may result.
NOTE-
Be sure transrnission fluid has been topped off before
starting tow.
Always tow car with transrnission lever in
N (neutral).
. ATF draining and filling is covered in 240 Automatic
Transmission.
Be sure to read the filling and draining pro.
cedure, as special service equipment is required to
checlc
the fluid level.

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Spare parts kit
Carrying a basic set of spare parts can prevent a rninorbreak-
down from turning into a major repair annoyance. The list be-
low is a good place to start.
Spare parts kit
- basic
Polyribbed drive
belt(s)
BMW engine oil: one or two quarts
BMW engine coolant:
1 gallon of premixed 50150 BMW
anti-freeze and water
Fuse assortment:
7.5A. IOA, 1 5A, 20A, 30A. 50A
Radiator hoses: upper and lower
Spare parts
kit - additional contents
Exterior lighting bulbs: headlight, bralte light, turn signal,
and taillight
* Wiper blades or blade inserts
Brake fluid: new, unopened bottle, DOT
4 specification
Main relay for DME system

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020 Maintenance
General ........................... .02 0.2
Special tools ........................ .02 0.2
Service Interval Indicator (Sll) ........... .02 0.3
Service Interval Indicator (Sll), resetting ... .02 0.3
Inspection I, Inspection 11 ............... .02 0.5
Maintenance Tables ................ .02 0.6
Fluid and Lubricant Specifications .. .02 0.9
Fluids and lubricants ................. .02 0.10
Engine Oil Service ................ .02 0.1 I
Engine oil. checking level ............. .02 0.12
Engine oil and filter. changing .......... .02 0-13
Engine Compartment Maintenance . .02 0.14
Accelerator and linkage ............... .02 0.14
Air filter. replacing ................... .02 0.1 4
Cooling system service ............... .02 0.15
Engine drive belt service .............. .02 0.16
Idlespeed .......................... 020-19
Catalytic converter and oxygen sensors .. .02 0.19
Power steering fluid, checking level ..... .02 0.20
Spark plugs ........................ .02 0.20
Spark plugs, replacing ................ .02 0.21
Interior ventilation microfilter, replacing ... .02 0.22
Other Mechanical Maintenance ..... .02 0.22
Battery, checking. cleaning. and replacing .02 0-22
Brake fluid. replacing ................. .02 0-24
Brake pad 1 rotor wear. checking ........ .02 0.24
Brake system, inspecting ............. .02 0.25
Parking brake. checking ............... 020-25
Clutch fluid. checking ................. 020-26
Differential oil level. checking ........... 020-26
Drive axle joint (CV joint) boots. inspecting 020-27
Exhaust system. inspecting ............ 020-27
Fuel filter. replacing .................. 020-27
Fuel tank and fuel lines. inspecting ...... 020-28
Suspension. front. inspecting ........... 020-29
Suspension. rear. inspecting ........... 020-29
Tires. checking inflation pressure ........ 020-29
Tires. rotating ....................... 020-29
Transmission service. automatic ........ 020-29
Transmission service. manual .......... 020-30
Transmission fluid. checking and filling
(manual transmission)
................ 020-30
Wheels. aligning ..................... 020-30
Body and Interior Maintenance ..... 020-31
Body and hinges. lubricating ........... 020-31
Exterior washing ..................... 020-31
Interior care ........................ 020-31
Leather upholstery and trim ............ 020-31
Polishing ........................... 020-32
Seat belts .......................... 020-32
Special cleaning ..................... 020-32
Washing chassis ..................... 020-32
Waxing ............................ 020-32
Windshield wiper blade maintenance ..... 020-33