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I General Warnings and Cautions
WARNINGS (continued)
. The air conditioning system is filled with chemical refrigerant,
which is hazardous. The AIC system should be serviced only by
trained technicians using approved refrigerant recoverylrecycling
equipment, trained in related safety precautions, and familiar with
regulations governing the discharging and disposal of automotive
chemical refrigerants.
. Do not expose any part of the AIC system to high temperatures
such as open flame. Excessive heat will increase system pres-
sure and may cause the system to burst.
Some aerosol tire inflators are highly flammable. Be extremely
cautious when repairing a tire that may have been inflated using
an aerosol tire inflator. Keep sparks, open flame or other sources
of ignition away
from the tire repair area. Inflate and deflate the
tire at least four
times before breaking the bead from the rim.
Completely remove the tire from the rim before attempting any re-
pair.
Cars covered by this manual are equipped with a supplemental
restraint system (SRS), that automatically deploys
airbags and
pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners
In the event oi a frontal or side
impact. These are explosive devices. Handled improperly or with-
out adequate safeguards, they can be accidently activated and
cause serious injury.
- The ignition system produces high voltages that can be fatal.
Avoid contact with exposed terminals and use extreme care when
working on a car with the engine running or the ignition switched
on.
. Place jack stands only at locations specified by the manufacturer.
The vehicle
illtino iack su~olied with the vehicle is intended fortire -. , . changes only. A heavy duty floor jack should be used lo lift vehicle
before installing
jacl( stands. See 010 General.
- Battery acid (electrolyte) can cause severe burns. Flush contact
area
with water, seek medical attention.
Aerosol cleaners and solvents may contain hazardous or deadly
vapors and are highly flammable. Use only in a well ventilated ar-
ea. Do not use on hot surfaces (engines, brakes, etc.).
Do not remove
coolant reservoir or radiator cap with the engine
hot. Danger of burns and engine damage.
CAUTIONS-
See also WARNINGS
- if you lack the slqills, tools and equipment, or a suitable worl(shop
for any procedure described in this manual, leave such repairs to
an authorized BMW dealer or other qualified shop.
BMW is constantly improving its cars and sometimes these
changes, both in parts and specifications, are made applicable to
earlier models. Therefore, part numbers listed in this manual are
for reference only. Always check with your authorized BMW deal-
er parts department for the latest information.
Before starting a job, make certain that you have all the neces-
sary tools and parts on hand. Read ail the instructions thorough-
ly, and do not attempt shortcuts. Use tools appropriate to the
work and use only replacement parts meeting BMW specifica-
tions.
Use pneumatic and electric tools only to loosen threaded parts
and fasteners. Never use these tools to tighten fasteners, espe-
cially on light alloy parts. Always use a torque wrench to tighten
fasteners to the tightening torque specification listed.
Be mindful of the environment and ecology. Before you drain the
crankcase, find out the proper way to dispose of the
oil. Do not
pour
oil onto the ground, down a drain, or into a stream, pond or
lake. Dispose of waste in accordance with Federal, State and
Local laws.
The control module for the anti-lock brake system
(ABS) cannot
withstand temperatures from a paint-drying booth or a heat
lamp
in excess of 203" F (95°C) and should not be subjected to tem-
peratures in excess of 185°F
(8S°C) for more than two hours.
- Before doing any electrical welding on cars equipped with ABS,
disconnect the battery negative
(-) terminal (ground strap) and
the ABS control module connector.
- Always make sure ignition is off before disconnecting battery.
Label battery cables before disconnecting. On some models, bat-
tery cables are not color coded.
Disconnecting the battery may erase fault code@) stored in control
module memory. Using special BMW diagnoslic equipment, check
lor
iauit codes prior to disconnecting the battery cables. If the mal-
I.mct on ndicator Ignt (MIL) s I. ..minaled. see OBD On-Board
Diaanostics
Tl11s iant is iuenlfted as lne Check Ena~ne oht
(1997-2000 models jor~ervlce Engine Soon light (2061 andlater
models). If any other system iaults have been detected (indicated
by an illuminated warning light), see an authorized BMW dealer.
If a normal
or rapid charger is used to charge battery, the battery
must be disconnected and removed from the vehicle in order to
avoid damaging the vehicle.
- Do not quick-charge the battery (for boost starting) for longer
than one minute. Wait at least one minute before boosting the
battery a second time.
* Connect and disconnect a battery charger only with the battery
charger switched off.
- Sealed or "maintenance free" batteries should be slow-charged
only, at an amperage rate that is approximately 10% of the bat-
tery's ampere-hour (Ah)
rating.
. Do not allow battery charging voltage to exceed 16.5 volts. If the
battery begins producing gas or boiling violently, reduce the
charging rate.
Boosting a sulfated battery at a high charging rate
can cause an explosion.
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Sockets Socltets are used with a ratchet handle for speed and conve-
nience and can be combined with extensions and universal
joints (swivels) to reach fasteners more easily. The most
common socket drive sizes are
114 inch, 318 inch and 112 inch.
Sockets come in
6 point and 12 point styles. The 6 point offers
a better grip on tight nuts and bolts.
6 mm to 19 mm socltets
are the most needed sizes. Below is a list of typical bolt
diarn-
eters and the corresponding wrench sizes.
Common bolt diameters and wrench sizes
M5 8 rnrn
M6
10 rnm
M8 12rnrnor13rnrn
MI 0 17 rnrn
MI2 19 rnrn
M14 22 mm
Spark plug socket
4 A 518" deep-well socket for sparlt plugs includes a rubber in-
sert to both protect the spark plug from damage and grip it for
easier removal.
Pliers
There are many types of pliers including snap-ring,
needle-
nose, adjustable-joint, slip-joint (Channel-lock@), and locking
(Vice-Grip@) most of which are used for holding irregular ob-
jects, bending, or crimping. Some have special applications.
Needlenose pliers are used for gripping small and poorly ac-
cessible objects, and are useful forwiring and other electrical
work. Locking pliers such as the Vise-Grip@ are useful be-
cause of their tight grip.
Snap-ring and circlip pliers with special tipped jaws are used
to remove and install snap-rings or circlips. Channel-lock@ or
water pump pliers have adjustable jaws that can be quicltly
changed to match the size of the object being held to give
greater leverage,
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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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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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Maintenance
< Release mass air flow sensor clips (A).
Release upper air filter housing clips (B).
4 Lift air filter upper housing, and remove filter element.
NOTE-
V-8 engine air filter assembly shown in illustration. 6-cylinder
air filter assembly is similar but located at the left front of the
engine compartment.
- On installation, install O-ring for mass air flow sensor into
retaining clips in air filter upper housing.
- Replace air filter and upper air filter housing, and attach
upper air filter housing clips.
Cooling system, checking
Antifreeze raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing
~oint of the coolant. BMW recommends enaine coolantthat is
a 50 150 mixture of distilled water and ethGene glycol-based
antifreeze.
Routine cooling system maintenance consists of maintaining
the coolant level and inspecting hoses. Because the coolant's
anticorrosion and antifreeze additives gradually lose their ef-
fectiveness, replacement of the coolant every three years is
recommended.
CAUJION-
Use only BMWapprovedphosphate-free antifreeze when
filing the cooling system. Use of antifreeze containing
phosphates is harmful to the cooling system.
4 Float in radiator tank indicates coolant level. Inspect while
coolant is cold.
When upper mark on float is level with top of filler neck,
coolant is at minimum allowable level.
When lower mark on float is level with top of filler neck,
coolant is at maximum level.
Hose connections should be tight and dry. Coolant seepage
nnection indicates either that hose clamp is
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Maintenance
- To remove battery corrosion:
Disconnect battery cables. Disconnect negative (-)cable
first.
* Remove battery from trunk
Clean terminal posts and cable clamps with a wire brush.
Clean main chassis ground terminal next to battery.
Corrosion can be washed away with a
baking soda and
water solution that will neutralize acid.
Reinstall battery and reconnect cable clamps, positive
(+)
cable first.
Lightly coat outside of terminals, hold down screws, and
clamps with petroleum jelly, grease, or a commercial
battery terminal corrosion inhibitor.
WARNING
-
Battery acid is extremely dangerous. Take care to keep it
from contacting eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear eye protection.
Extinguish all
smolihg materials and do not work near any
oaen flames.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
NOTE-
The original equipment battery in E39 models is mainte-
nance free. The original electrolyte will normally last the
entire service life of the battery under moderate climate con-
ditions.
Battery electrolyte should be maintained at the correct level
just above the battery plates and theirseparators. The correct
level is approximately
5 mm ('14 in.) above the top of battery
plates or to the top of the indicator
marks (if applicable). The
battery plates and the indicator marks can be seen once the
fillercaps are removed.
if theelectrolyte level is low, replenish
it by adding distilled water only.
4 The original equipment BMW battery is equipped with a
built-in hydrometer "magic eye"
(arrow). Battery condition is
determined by the color of the eye:
Green: Adequate charge
* Black: Inadequate charge, recharge
Yellow: Defective battery, replace
Batteries are rated by ampere hours (Ah), the number of
hours a specific current drain can be sustained before com-
plete discharge, or by cold cranking amps (CCA), the number
of amps available to crank the engine in cold weather
condi-
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.-. -
Maintenance
Drive axle joint
(CV joint) boots, inspecting
CVjoint protective boots must be closely inspected forcracks
and any other damage that will allow contaminants to get into
the joint.
If the rubber boots fail, the water and dirt that enter
the joint will quickly damage it.
NOTE-
Replacement of the CVjoint boots and inspection of the
joints are described
in 331 Final Drive.
Exhaust system, inspecting
Exhaust system life varies widely according to driving habits
and environmental conditions. If short-distance driving pre-
dominates, the moisture and condensation in the system will
not fully dry out. This will lead to early corrosion damage and
more frequent replacement.
Scheduled maintenance of the exhaust system is limited to
inspection:
* Check to see that all the hangers (arrow) are in place and
properly supporting the system and that the system does
not strike the body.
Check for restrictions due to dents or
kinlts,
Check for weakness or perforation due to rust.
NOTE-
Alignment of the system and the location of the hangers are
described in
180 Exhaust System.
Fuel filter, replacing
The fuel filter is located beneath the center of the car, approx-
imately under the driver's seat.
A protective cover must be
removed to access the filter.
4 Fuel filter for M62 engine (arrow)
- Disconnect battery negative (-) cable
CAUTIOI\C
Disconnecting the battery cables may erase fault codes
stored
in engine control module memory.
WARNING -
Fuel will be expelled forcibly when the filter is removed. Do
notsmoke or work near heaters orother fire hazards. Keep a
fire extinguisher handy
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Maintenance
Suspension, front, inspecting
Inspection of the front suspension and steering includes a
check of all moving parts
forwear and excessive play. Inspect
ball joint and tie-rod rubber seals and boots for cracks
ortears
that could allow the entry of dirt, water, and other
contaminants. See
310 Front Suspension.
Suspension, rear, inspecting
Differential and rear drive axle service consists of checking
and changing the gear oil, inspecting for leaks, and checking
the drive axle
CV joint boots for damage.
The areas where
lealts are most likely to occurare around the
drive shaft and drive axle mounting flanges. For more infor-
mation on identifying oil leaks and theircauses, see
330 Rear
Suspension and
331 Final Drive.
Tires, checking inflation pressure
Correct tire pressures are important to handling and stability,
fuel economy, and tire wear. Tire pressures change with tem-
perature. Pressures should be
checked oRen during season-
al temperature changes. Correct inflation pressures can be
found on the driver's door pillar and in the owner's manual.
Note that tire pressures should be higher when the car is
more heavily loaded.
WARNING-
Do not inflate any tire to a pressure higher than the tire's max-
imum inflation pressure listedon the sidewall. Use care when
adding air to warm tires. Warm tire pressures can increase as
much as
4 psi (0.3 bar) over their coldpressures.
Tires, rotating
BMW does not recommend tire rotation. Due to the car's sus-
pension design, the front tires begin to wear first at the outer
shoulder and the reartires begin to wearfirst at the middle of
the tread or inner shoulder. Rotating the tires may adversely
affect road handling and tire grip.
Transmission service, automatic
The automatic transmissions installed in E39 models are
filled with special automatic transmission fluid. The transmis-
sion lubricant type can be found on the "type-plate" on the
side of the transmission. The recommended lubricants are
listed earlier in this repair group. See Fluids and lubricants.
If in doubt, consult an authorized BMW dealer for alternate