1998 BMW 540i v8 oil leak

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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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. .- . --
Lr -- - - - -- Cylinder Head Removal and Installation I -
- Release pressure at compression gauge valve, then remove
gauge from spark plug hole. Repeat test for each cylinder
and compare results with values given in Table a.
Table a. Compression testing specifications
Minimum compression
6-cylinder
10-1 1 bar (142-156 psi)
V-8 12-14 bar (174-203 psi)
Maximum difference between
cylinders (all engines)
0.5 bar (7 psi)
- Compression readings may be interpreted as follows:
Low compression indicates a poorly sealed combustion
chamber.
0 Relatively even pressures that are below specification nor-
mally indicate worn piston rings
andlor cylinder walls.
Erratic values tend to indicate valve leakage.
Dramatic differences between cylinders are often a sign of
a failed head
gasket, burned valve, or broken piston ring.
- If readings are within specifications, reinstall spark plugs and
ignition coils.
NOTE-
Used spark plugs should be reinstalled in the same cylinder
from which they were removed.
Tightening torque Spark plug to cylinder head 25 Nm
(18 ft-lb)
lanition coils to cylinder head 10 Nm (7.5 ft-lb)
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal. Be sure to re-
install all wires disconnected during test, especially ground
wires at coils and cylinder head cover (where applicable).
Wet compression test
To further help analyze the source of poorcompression,awet
compression test is the next step.
- Repeat compression test, this time squirt a teaspoon of oil
into each cylinder. The oil will temporarily help seal between
piston rings and cylinder wall, practically eliminating leakage
past rings for a short time.
- If this test yields a higher reading than "dry" compression
test, there is probably leakage between piston rings and
cylinder walls, due either to wear or to broken piston rings.
- Little or no change in compression reading indicates other
leakage, probably from valves.

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11 3-1 4
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Secure camshafts in TDC position using BMW special tool
set
11 3 240.
4 Remove access plugs from VANOS control unit in front of
exhaust camshaft sprocket.
Remove
4 bolts (arrows) from exhaust camshaft sprocket
(Torx E10).
CAUTION-
Hold the camshaft stationary (at hex on camshaft) when loos-
eninq or tiqhteninq sprocl(et mounting fasteners. r
Press down on secondary chain tensioner and lock into place
using
BMW special tool 11 3 292 or a similar size pin.
NOTE-
Some tensioners may have a single hole for special tool.
Remove secondary chain tensioner.
Disconnect harness connector and oil line fitting from bottom
of VANOS control unit.
NOTE-
Wrap the VANOS oil line fitting with a shop rag to absorb
leaking oil.
Remove VANOS control unit mounting nuts and bolt at front
of cylinder head.

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11 6 Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
........................... General ............................ 1 16-2 Valves 116-56
.................... Special Tools ........................ 11 6-2 Valves. leak test 11 6-56
......... Valves. removing and installing 11 6-56 Cylinder Head ..................... .I1 6.5 ....................... Valve guides 11 6-57
Valves. leak test ...................... 11 6-6
Valve stem oil seals .................. 11 6-58 ...... ..""""."""ll 6.6 Valveseats ........................ 116-59 Hydraulic lifters, checking and replacing .. .I1 6-7 Valve ....................... 6-60 . .
Camshaft andLifter Removal
and Installation
.................... 11 6-1 1
Camshaft and lifter removal and
installation
(M52 engine) ............. .I1 6.12
Camshaft and lifter. removal and
installation (M52
TU and M54 engine) .... 11 6-1 9
Double VANOS timing chain components
. 11 6-28
Camshaft removal and installation
(M62 engine)
....................... 11 6-39

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Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
< Remove oil baffle cover from above intake camshaft(s)
- Rotate engine at crankshaft vibration damper center bolt in
normal direction of rotation (clockwise) until camshaft lobe of
lifter to be tested points away from the lifter, allowing valve to
be completely closed.
Use a plastic or wooden stick to press down on top of lifter
with approximately 3.5 Nm
(2.25 ft-ib) of force.
If the lifter collapses slightly as though spring loaded, air
may be trapped in the lifter.
NOTE-
Air trapped in hydraulic lifters may result from oil foaming (air
being drawn
in by the oil pump). This may be caused by a
faulty oil pump control valve O-ring; leaking oil pump pickup
gaslcet; or by oil starvation to pump.
Press down on top of lifter for
10 to 15 seconds uslng approx-
lmately 6 to 9 Nm (4.5 to 6.75 ft-lb) of force.
If anv clearance is created between the lifter and the
cam-
shafi lobe, the check valve in the lifter is not closing. Re-
place lifter.
- To replace a hydraulic lifter, remove appropriate camshaft.
Refer to camshaft removal procedures given in Camshaft
and lifter removal and installation.
Once camshaft is removed, withdraw faulty
lifter(s) and re-
place with new
lifter(s). Inspect lifter bores for wear and scor-
ing at arrows.
- Reinstall camshafts. See Camshaft and lifter removal and
installation.

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1 16-56
Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
This section covers valve removal and reconditioning, includ-
ing valve guides, seats, springs, and valve stem oil seals.
Valves, leak test
To test the valves for leakage, the cylinder head must be dis-
assembled with camshafts and camshaft carriers removed.
With valve assemblies and spark plugs installed, place the
cylinder head on a workbench with the combustion chamber
facing upward. Fill each combustion chamber with a thin non-
flammable liquid. After fifteen minutes,
check the level of the
fluid. If the fluid level in any cylinder drops, that cylinder is not
sealing properly.
Valves, removing and installing
- Remove cylinder head as described in 113 Cylinder Head
Removal and Installation.
CAUTIOI\C
(M52 TU/M54 engines only) Do not let the hydraulic lifters
fall out as the camshaft carrier is removed. Special suction
cups are available from
BMW to hold the hydraulic lifters in
place during carrier removal.
* Hydraulic cam lifters should be stored m an uprfght po-
sition. If necessary, use a magnetic tool to
aidin remov-
al of the lifters.
- Remove valves using a valve spring compressor.
CAUTIOI\C
Label each valve assembly as it is removed so it can be in-
stalled in its original position.
-
- Remove and discard valve stem oil seals from valve guides.
See Valve stem oil seals later in this section.
- Valve installation is reverse of removal. Remove carbon de- - -
posits from the valves using a wire brush or wire wheel. -
-
Valve specifications are listed in Table c. Valve specifica-
tions.