1998 BMW 540i oil leaks

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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
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

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020-30
Maintenance
fluid use and the most-up-to-date information regarding
transmission operating fluids.
The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick.
Therefore, checking the ATF level is an involved procedure
which includes measuring and maintaining a specified ATF
temperature during the checking procedure.
For more complete
ATF service information, including
checking
ATF level and ATF filter replacement procedures,
see
240 Automatic Transmission.
Transmission service, manual
Manual transmission service consists of inspecting for leaks
and checking the fluid. Evidence of transmission leaks is
like-
ly to be seen around the driveshaft mounting flange and at the
bottom of the bellhousing.
NOTE-
For more information on identifying oil
leaks and their
causes, see 230 Manual Transmission and210 Clutch.
Transmission fluid, checking and filling
(manual transmission)
Tne manual transmss'on inslalleo 'n rne E39 models s f;lled
with a special liierime iluid (ivlTF-LT-I). oi. ordinarily
does
not need to be changed.
< Check manual transmission oil level at transmission filler plug
(A). Make sure car is on level surface.
NOTE- Transmission fluid level
checking and replacement
procedures are covered in 230 Manual Transmission.
Wheels, aligning
BMW recommends checking the front and rear alignment
once a year and whenever new tires are installed.
NOTE-
See 320 Steering and Wheel Alignment for a more detailed
discussion of alignment requirements and specifications.

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I Lubrication System -
- Remainder of assembly is reverse of disassembly.
Install flywheel, clutch or torque converter and
transmission.
Fill engine with oil.
- Run engine and check for leaks.
Tightening torques
Oil
drain plug fo oil pan (MI21 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
Oil pan to engine
block
M6 (8.8 grade) 10 Nm (89 in-ib)
M6 (1 0.9 grade) 12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
M8 (8.8 grade) 22 Nm (1 6 it-lb)
Rear main seal carrier to crankcase
M6 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
ME 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Crankshaft rear main seal, replacing (V-8)
- Remove transmission. See 230 Manual Transmission or
240 Automatic Transmission.
- Manual transmission vehicles: Remove clutch pressure plate
and disc. See
210 Clutch.
- Remove flywheel. See 210 Clutch.
- Drain engine oil.
4 Remove bolts (A) retaining rear main seal carrier, including
bolts at (arrows) oil pan.
Carefully separate seal carrier from oil pan gasket and re-
move carrier.
CAUTION-
Do not damage oil pan gasket.
< Remove old seal and reinstall new seal into seal carrier using
) BMW special tools 11 1 230 and 00 5 500.

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- When reinstalling seal carrier to crankcase:
Check locating sleeves for damage.
Replace gasitet between rear main seal carrier and
cranlt-
case.
Apply thin coat of
3 Bond 8 1209 or equivalent sealant to
oil pan
gasltet sealing surfaces.
* Lubricate crankshaft and seal contact surfaces.
4 Use BMW special tool 11 2 390 as an installation guide in fit-
ting seal over end of cranltshaft. Use care to push seal carrier
and support bushing on straight, without tilting. Remove in-
stallation guide carefully.
- Replace sealing washers under seal carrier mounting bolts.
- Install seal carrier mounting bolts and torque to specilica-
tions.
- lnstall oil pan bolts.
- Remainder of assembly is reverse of disassembly.
Install flywheel using new bolts,
Install clutch or torque converter and transmission.
* Fill engine with oil.
Run engine and
checlt for leaks.
Tightening torques Flywheel to crankshaft (use new bolts)
120 Nm (89 ft-lb)
011 dra~n plug to 011 pan (M12) 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
Oil pan to
eng~ne block
M6 (8.8 grade) 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
M6 (1 0 9 grade) 12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
M8 (8.8 grade) 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Rear main seal carrier to crankcase
M6 10 Nrn (89 in-lb)
ME 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)

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< 6-cylinder models: Remove intake manifold to access oil
pressure switch
(arrow).
V-8 models: Oil pressure warning switch (arrow) is located
under oil filter housing mounted to left inner fender panel.
NOTE-
Any time the oilpressure warning switch is removed, be sure
to replace the sealing washer.
Tightening torque Oil
~ressure switch to oil filter housins 27 Nrn (20 ft-lb)
Oil level warning switch, replacing
(6-cylinder and
V-8)
4 Oil level warning switch is located at bottom of the engine oil
pan.
Drain engine oil before attempting to remove level warning
switch.
Be sure to refill engine and check for leaks after work is
completed.
NOTE-
Any time the oil level warning switch is removed, be sure to
replace the sealing O-ring between switch and oil pan.

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. .
Fuel Injection
Check resistance of valve across valve terminals
Idle speed control valve coil resistance
Terminals
1 and 2 20 i2.0.
Terminals 2 and 3 20 i2.0.
Terminals 1 and 3 40 i4.0.
CAUTIOIG
Be sure ignition is OFFbefore disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
- To remove valve, remove cable bracket mounting bolt and
idle speed control valve mounting bracket bolts from front of
throttle housing and remove idle speed control valve with at-
tached bracket.
NOTE-
When installing idle speed control valve, remove intake boot
sealing ring from valve and install into intake air boot. Then
install valve info sealing
ring.
Evaporative emissions control diagrams
MS 42.0 (LDP) ,-a"-
Evaporative emissions control,
(MS 42.0, MS 43.0)
E39 models with MS 42.0 or MS 43.0 engine are equipped
with a fuel system evaporative pressure leak diagnosis sys-
tem. The main component of this system is the leak diagnosis
pump (LDP or DM-TL). The function of either system is to
pressurize the fuel tank and the evaporative emission system
for the purpose of detecting leaks.

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170-8
I Radiator and Cooling System
Common cooling system faults can be grouped into one of 4
categories:
Cooling system
lealts
Poor coolant circulation
Radiator cooling fan faults
Electrical/electronic faults
Cooling system inspection
- Check that coolant pump drive belt tensioner is functioning
properly and that belt tension is correct. Belt tensioner sys-
tems for the different models are shown in
020 Maintenance.
- Check condition of coolant pump drive belt.
- Checlc coolant hoses for cracks or softness. Checlc clamps
for looseness. Check coolant level and check for evidence of
coolant
lealts from engine.
- Check that radiator fins are not blocked with dirt or debris.
Clean radiator using low-pressure water or compressed air.
Blow outward, from engine side out.
- To check coolant pump:
Remove mechanical cooling fan. See Mechanical
(vis.
cous clutch) cooling fan, removing and installing.
Remove drive belt from coolant pump pulley. See
020
Maintenance.
Firmly grasp opposite sides of pulley and check for play in
all directions.
Spin pulley and check that shaft runs smoothly without
play.
NOTE-
The coolant provides lubrication for the pump shaft, so an oc-
casional drop of coolant
lealing from the pump is acceptable.
If coolant drips steadily from the vent hole, replace the pump.
- At normal engine operating temperature, cooling system is
pressurized. This raises boiling point of coolant.
Leaks may
prevent system from becoming pressurized. If visual evi-
dence is inconclusive, pressure test cooling system as de-
scribed later to help pinpoint hard-to-find leaks.
- If cooling system is full of coolant and holds pressure:
- Use an appropriate scan tool to interrogate engine control
module (ECM) for radiator fan or DME control circuit faults.
Checlc for loose or worn drive belt.
0 Test for failed thermostat or coolant pump impeller. Some
pumps may be fitted with plastic impellers.