1997 BMW 540i 120

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002 Vehicie identification and
VlN Decoder
Vehicle identification Number (VIN), decoding
Some of the information in this manual applies only to cars of a parlicuiar model year or range
of vears. For
examole. 1999 refers to the 1999 model vear but does not necessarilv malch the
caiendsr year in which the car was manufactured or sold. To be sure of the model year of a
particular car,
checic the Vehicle ldentification Number (VIN) on the car.
The VIN is a unique sequence of 17 characters assigned by BMW lo identify each individual
car. When decoded, the VIN tells the country and year of manufacture; make, model and serial
number: assembly
plant and some equipment specifications.
The BMW VIN is on a plate mounted on top of the dashboard, on the driver's side where the
number can be seen through the windshield, The 10th character is the model year code. The
letters
I. 0, Q and U are not used for model year designation. Examples: X for 1999, Y for 2000,
1 for 2001,2 for 2002, etc. The table below explains some of the codes in the VIN for 1997
through 2002 BMW
E39 5 Series BMWs covered by this manual.
Sample
VIN: ~~Iz~o~w~B~w~ 13 8 9 1 lposition 1 2 3 zi 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12-17
VIN
position Description Decoding information
1-3 Countrv of WBA B
I J 1 znan~+q ;BT BMW Molorsporl. Gmon, ~;nch Gerrn;!n,
Linc 525 (2UU1 - 2003) 528 (2000-2003. 530; 540 i
5
1
Manual belts with dual airbags Manual belts with advanced airbaos
Series
Body
type
i engine lype . ..
D 5251 (2001 - 2002), 528i (1997 - 2000) E MS. 530i, 540i (1997 - 1998) J 5251 Wagon
M 528i (1999 - 2000) N 5401 Sedan (1999 - 2003) 540i wagon (2001)
P 528i wagon (1999 - 2000) R 540i waaon 12002 - 20031
6,4 Aulomatic 5,3 Manual
Vehicle type 3.4.7 Passenger vehicle
Checlr digit
Model year Restraint
system
1 0 Manual belts
3 Manual belts wilh driver
& passenger airbags 4
Manual belts with advanced passenger B driver airbags
0 - 9 or X, calculated by NHTSA
V 1997 W 1RRR
Assembly plant A, F, K Munich, Germany
B, C, D, G Dingolfing. Germany E, J. P Reqensburq. Germany .
Serial number
Sequential produclion number lor specific vehicle

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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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Engine-General
This section covers system descriptions and general informa-
tion on engines and engine management systems. Also cov-
ered is basic engine troubleshooting.
For specific repair procedures, refer to the appropriate repair
group:
110 Engine Removal and Installation
0 113 Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
116 Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
0 117 Camshaft Timing Chain
119 Lubrication System
120 Ignition System
130 Fuel Injection
0 170 Radiator and Cooling System
E39 models are fitted with a variant of either an inline 6-cylin-
der or a
V-8 engine. See Table a.
Table a. Engine specifications

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11 3-3
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Rotary angle torque dial gauge
(Tool No. BMW
11 2 250100 9 120)
4 El2 Torx socket for cylinder head bolts
(Tool No.
BMW 11 2 250)
4 Crankshaft loclting tool
(Tool No.
BMW 11 2 300)
4 Camshaft locking tool set, 6-cylinder
/I (Tool No, BMW 11 3 240)
< Timing chain adjustable tension setup tool, 6-cylinder
(Tool No.
BMW 11 4 220)
>
Double VANOS adiustment date
4 Secondary sprocket setup tool for double VANOS
(Tool No. BMW
11 6 180)

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I Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Check that two locating dowels are correctly positioned in
block and are not damaged.
- Apply permanently elastic sealing compound Three Bond
1209 8 to joints where cylinder block joins timing case cover.
- Place new cylinder head gasket on cylinder block.
NOTE-
The word "OBEN" or 'TOP': printed on the gasket, should
face up. The cylinder head
gasket will fit correctly in only one
orientation.
- With camshafts locked in TDC oosition with BMW soecial
tools as described during cylinder head removal,
seicylinder
head in position, guiding primary chain through cylinder head
opening.
NOTE-
* The camshafts must be locl(ed in the TDC position at the
rear of the cylinder head with
BMW special tool I1 3 240
before installing the cylinder head.
Make sure the
cranksha% which had been rotated approx-
imately
30" opposite the direction of engine rotation, is still
in that position before lowering the cylinder head into posi-
tion.
- Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolts. Loosely install bolts
and their washers, then thread them in until they are finger
tight.
NOTE-
. Torx-type cylinder head bolts should not be reused. They
are stretch-type bolts and must always be replaced when-
ever loosened.
Check that all washers for the cylinder head bolts are in
place before installing the bolts. Some of the washers may
be
stalced to the cylinder head.
CAUTIOI\C
Cylinder head bolts for a cast iron engine block are different
length and require different tightening torque than bolts for an
aluminum cylinder bloclc engines
(95 rnm versus 110 rnm
bolts).
- Install cylinder head-to-lower timing chain cover bolts finger
tight.
< Tighten cylinder head bolts in correct sequence to initial
torque value.

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- -.
Cylinder Head Removal and lnstallation
NOTE-
Be Sure the secondary timing chain tensioner is locked down
and the exhaust
camshaif mounting bolts are loose before
proceeding.
- Install VANOS control unit. See VANOS control unit, install-
ing
(M52 engine) in 117 Camshaft Timing Chain.
CAUTION--
Incorrect installation ofthe VANOS control may result in dam-
age to the engine valvefrain.
- Install exhaust manifolds using new gaskets and nuts. Coat
manifold studs with copper paste prior to installing nuts.
Install intake camshaft cover and cylinder
head cover.
Check for correct seating of half-moon seals
(A) in back of
cylinder head cover.
Use a small amount of Three Bond 1209
O or equivalent
sealant at corners
(6) of half-moon cutouts.
Seat gasket and seal corners in front of cylinder head at
VANOS unit.
- Installation of remaining parts is reverse of removal, noting
the following:
Reinstall electrical harness connectors for oil pressure
switch and coolant temperature sensor before installing in-
take manifold.
Refill cooling system as described in 170 Radiator and
Cooling System.
Change engine oil and filter as described in 020 Mainte-
nance.
If necessary, adjust accelerator cable.
Reconnect battery last.
Tightening Torques
VANOS oil line
32 Nm (24
ft-lb)
VANOS solenoid to control unit 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)
Coolant drain plug to cylinder
block 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
Cylinder head cover to cylinder head
10 Nrn (89 in-lb)
(M6 bolts)
intake manifold to cylinder head 15 Nm (I 1 ft-lb)
Radiator cooling fan to coolant pump
40 Nm (30 ft-lb) - . .
Radiator drain screw to radiator 2.5 Nm (22 in-lbl

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11 3-40
I Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
Lubricate camshafts, camshaft carriers, bearing caps, hy-
draulic lifters, friction washers, splined shafts and spline hubs
with assembly lubricant before installation.
4 Check that two cylinder head aligning sleeves (arrows) are
correctly positioned in block and are not damaged.
- Apply elastic sealing compound Three Bond 1209 8 to cor-
ner joints on cylinder block to timing chain cover.
- Place new cylinder head gasket on cylinder block.
NOTE-
The word "OBEN" or "TOP printed on the gasket, should
face up. The cylinder headgaslet will fit correctly in only one
orientation.
- Set cylinder head in position, guiding primary chain through
cylinder head opening.
CAUJION-
Make sure the crankshaft, which had been rotated approxi-
mately 30" opposite the direction of engine rotation from
TDC, is still in thatposition before lowering the cylinder head
into position. All pistons must be out of TDC position to pre-
vent
valve/piston interference when the camshafts are in-
stalled.
- Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolts and washers with
oil. Install bolts and washers finger tight. Install cylinder head
to lower timing chain cover bolts finger tight.
NOJE-
Cylinder head bolts should not be reused. They are
stretch-type bolts and must be replaced whenever loos-
ened.
* Aluminum cylinder blocls use different length cylinder
head bolts and torque values than cast iron blocks.
Check that all washers for
Nle head bolts are in place be-
fore installing the bolts. Some of the washers may be
staked to the cylinder head.
I 12 10 4 2 6 8 141 Tighten cylinder head bolts in correct sequence (1-14)
CA U TIOW-
The bolts should be tightened in three stages as listed below
The final stages require the use of a BMW special tool
11 2
110 or a suitable protractor to tighten the bolts to a specified
torque angle.

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Cylinder Head Removal and Installation /
< Clean contact edges of cylinder head face and VANOS unit
and apply a thin coat of permanently elastic Three Bond
1209 8 or equivalent to suriaces.
CAUTION-
Check locating dowel (A) and dowel sleeve (B) at top of
cylinder head for damage or incorrect installation.
Make sure all gasket material is removed from face of
cylinder head. Clean sealing face and keep free of oil.
If any foreign material is present on the sealing surface,
the camshaft timing will be incorrect.
- Install new steel gasket to front of cylinder head and install
VANOS unit.
NOTE -
If VANOS control unit is being replaced, be sure to check and
adjust camshaft timing as described in
11 7 Camshaft Tim-
ing Chain.
- Reinstall engine lifting eye.
Tightening torque
VANOS unit to cylinder head
M6 nut
M7 nut
lo Nm (89 in-lb)
14 Nrn (10 it-lb)
- Reconnect electrical harness connectors to camshaft posi-
tion sensors and VANOS solenoid valves.
4 Insert and tighten down VANOS hydraulic piston set screws
in splined shafts on
intake and exhaust camshafts.
CAUJION-
Set screws have left hand tliread. Tighten counterclockwise.
Tightening torque
Hydraulic piston
to splined shaft 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
< Replace sealing caps inside VANOS unit with short needle
nose pliers.