1998 BMW 540i how to check oil

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1 Maintenance
NOTE-
Castrol supplies the mineral and synthetic oil recommend-
ed by
BMW
BMW High Performance synthetic oil may be used in all
E39 models, regardless of year.
The use of engine oil additives is not recommended when
using BMW High
Performance synthetic engine oil.
* BMW is constantly upgrading recommendedmaintenance
procedures and requirements. The information contained
here is as accurate as possible at the time ofpublication. If
there is any doubt about what procedures apply to a spe-
cific
model or model year, or what intervals should be fol-
lowed, remember that an authorized BMW dealer has the
latest information on factory-recommended maintenance.
CAUTIOIG
In the case of cars that accumulate very low mileage per
yea/; BMW recommends that the engine oil should be
changed once
a year at a minimum, regardless of whether
mineral or synthetic based oil is used.
In the interest of engine longevity, use half
tlie recom-
mended engine oil change interval.
Engine oil, checking level
4 Engine oil level is checked with a dipstick (arrow) in the
engine block (6-cylinder oil dipstick shown,
V-8 dipstick is
similar).
- Check oil level with car on level surface, after engine has
been stopped for at least a few minutes.
- Check level by pulling out dipstick and wiping it clean
Reinsert it all the way and withdraw it again.

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020-1 4
Maintenance
- When oil flow has diminished to an occasional drip, reinstall
drain plug with a new metal sealing washer and torque plug.
Tightening torque Engine oil drain plug to oil pan
25 Nrn (1.8 ft-lb)
6-cylinder oil filter assembly
r------ 1
< Working at oil filter housing (1):
Lubricate and install new oil filter O-rings (3, 4).
Install a new filter cartridge (5).
lnstall and tighten housing cover (2).
6-cylinder oil filter assembly shown, V-8 is similar.
Tightening torque Cover to oil filter housing
25 Nm (1.8 it-lb)
- Refill crankcase with oil. Approximate oil capacity is listed in
Tabled. Engine oil with filter change. Use dipstick to
check correct oil level.
- Start engine and check that oil pressure warning light
immediately goes out.
- Allow engine to run fora few minutes to circulate new oil, then
check for leaks at drain plug and oil filter. Stop engine and re-
check oil level
The section describes other routine maintenance done in the
engine compartment. Information on engine oil service is
giv-
enkar~ier inthis group.
For these procedures, it is not necessary for the car to be
raised and supported off the ground.
Accelerator and linkage
The accelerator and linkage at the throttle housing should be
lubricated periodically. Use ageneral purposeoil on the joints
and bearings of the linkage. Use a multipurpose grease on
the bearing points of the throttle plate.
Air filter, replacing
The specified replacement intervals forthe air filter are based
on normal use. If the car is operated primarily in dusty
conditions, the air filter should be serviced more frequently.

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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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020-22 Maintenance
1
- Installation is reverse of removal, bearing in mind the
following:
Lightly lubricate new
spark plug threads with
copper-based anti-seize compound.
Thread plugs into cylinder head by hand to prevent
cross-threading.
. Be sure to reinstall and tighten coil grounds.
Tightening torque Spark plug
to cylinder head 25 Nm (18 It-lb)
Interior ventilation microfilter, replacing
Two interior ventilation microfilters are used, one on each
side of the engine compartment at the fire wall.
< To replace the microfilter, unclip the wire fastener and
remove the cover.
Lift out the filter, and replace. Left side shown; right is
similar.
Replace cover and clip wire fastener to retain cover.
Battery, checking, cleaning, and replacing
The battery Is located in the right side of the luggage compart-
ment. Simple maintenance of the battery and its terminal
connections will ensure maximum starting periormance,
especially in winter when colder temperatures reduce battery
power.
Battery cables should be tight. The terminals, cable clamps
and battery case should be free of the white deposits that
indicate corrosion and acid salts. Even a thin layer of dust
containing conductive acid salts can cause battery discharge.

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11 3-61
Cylinder Head Removal and installation I
Remove intake manifold fasteners (A).
Carefully lift intake manifold off engine while checking that all
hoses and harnesses have been disconnected.
Left cylinder head, removing, M62 engine
- Remove intake manifold as described earlier
- Remove left side exhaust manifold. See 180 Exhaust Sys-
tem.
- Drain engine coolant, then remove viscous clutch cooling
fan. See
170 Radiator and Cooling System.
WARNING -
Use extreme caution when draining and disposfng of eng~ne
coolant. Coolant is poisonous and lethal to humans andpets.
Pets are attracted to coolant because of its sweet smell and
taste.
Seek med~cal attention immediately if coolant is ingest-
ed.
4 Remove coolant manifold mounting fasteners and carefully
remove manifold.
NOTE-
Engine shown removed from engine bay
4 Remove ignition coil fasteners and coils (noting location of
ground strap).
- Remove spark plugs.

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Cylinder Head and valvetrain1
Hydraulic lifters, checking and replacing
Self-adjusting hydraulic lifters (A) keep the valve clearances
within a limited working range. Hydraulic lifters are sealed
units and require no maintenance. Section view of camshaft
(6) and valve with conical valve spring (C) shown.
Under some circumstances, such as a cold start, the cam fol-
lowers may emit noise. Hydraulic lifter noise is usually a
high-
pitched tapping or chattering noise. In most instances, this is
considered normal as long as the noise goes away in a few
minutes (maximum
20 minutes). If the noise does not go
away, either the lifter is faulty or the oil pressure to the lifter is
low. Hydraulic lifter replacement requires that the camshaft
first be removed.
NOTE-
Before checking hydraulic lifters, male sure engine oil is
fresh and at the proper level.
Sticky lifters can be the result of
sludge build up in the cylinder head and lifters.
- Run engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
Shut off engine.
- Working inside luggage compartment, disconnect negative
battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting battery cable, read the baltery dls-
connection cautions given In 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
Disconnecting the battery may erase fault
code(s)
stored in control module memory Check for fault codes
4 Remove left and right interior ventilation duct (left side
shown):
Release plastic locking tab
(A) or release loclting tabs on
top of duct (later models).
Rotate duct counterclockwise to
unloclt from bulithead and
remove (arrow).

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Camshaft Timing Chain
4 Remove VANOS unit:
Remove fasteners from engine support eye.
Remove VANOS mounting nuts (arrows) from cylinder
head. Slide VANOS control unit and metal gasltet off.
NOJE-
The VANOS control unit will contain residual oil. Place
shop towels beneath adjustment unit when removing.
If the VANOS control unit is replaced, or if repair operations
are completed that may change camshaft timing, the cam-
shaft timing must be checked as described in VANOS tim-
ing,
checlcing and adjusting (M52 JU and M54
engines).
CAUJION-
Do not crank the engine with VANOS unit removed.
Piston/valve interference may result.
VANOS control unit, installing
(M52 TU and M54 engines)
< Clean contact edges of cylinder head face and double
VANOS control unit and apply a thin coat of sealing com-
pound (Three Bond
1209 8 or equivalent) to surfaces.
I CAUJION-
. Make sure all gaskel material is removed from lace of
cyl~nder head. Clean sealing lace and keep lree of oil.
Checklocating dowel (A) and dowelsleeve (B) at top of
cylinder head for damage or incorrect installation.
NO
JE -
If the Double VANOS control unit is beino reolaced. be -.
sure to check and adjust camshaft timing, see VA NOS
timing, checking and adjusting (M52 JU and M54 en-
gines).
* If work being carried out has no effect on camshaft timing,
it is not necessary to recheck the timing. It is recommend-
ed, however, that the VANOS operation be checked using
a compatible scan tool once the engine is running.

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. .- -
L
- --
- - -. - -- Lubrication ~~stern
- Remove pressure gauge and reinstall pressure switch with
new sealing washer.
Tightening torque
Oil pressure switch to oil filter housing 27 Nm (20 ft-lb)
If testing shows low oil pressure, one or more of the following
conditions may be indicated:
Worn or faulty oil pump or faulty pump pressure relief valve
Worn or damaged engine bearings
Severe engine wear
Any of these conditions indicate the need for major repairs.
Oil pressure warning system, testing
4 When the ignition is turned on, the oil pressure warning light
comes on. When the engine is started and the oil pressure
rises slightly, the oil pressure switch (arrow) contact opens
and the warning light goes out. Make sure the oil level is cor-
rect before making tests.
- Turn ignition switch on.
- Warning light on instrument panel must light up
- Remove connector from oil pressure switch.
Warning light on instrument panel must go out.
NOTE-
If the light does not go out, the wiring to the switch is most
likely grounded somewhere between the switch terminaland
the warning light See
ELE Electrical Wiring Diagrams for
electrical schematics.
- If warning light does not light when ignition is on, remove con-
nector from oil pressure switch and use a jumper wire to
ground connector terminal to a clean metal surface. The oil
pressure warning light should come on.
NOTE-
If there are two wires to the oil pressure switch, ground the
brown/green wire that carries the signal to the warning light.
- If the warning light comes on, check the switch as described
in the next step. If the warning light does not come on, the
wiring to the instrument cluster or to the light itself is faulty.