020-
1
4
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
uu11989
Fig
.
14
.
Engine
drive
belt
tensíoner
being
released
on
late
4-cylinder
engine
.
Pry
off
tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
in
clockwise
direction
(as
facing
engine)
and
slip
beltoff
pulleys
.
Fig
.
17
.
Engine
drive
belt
routing
for
late
4-cylinder
engine
with
poly-
ribbed
drivebelts
.
CA
UTION-
Use
only
BMW
approved
phosphate-free
anti-
freeze
when
filling
the
cooling
system
.
Use
of
anti-
B11177
freeze
containing
phosphates
!s
considerad
to
be
Fig
.
15
.
Engine
drive
belt
tensioner
being
released
on
6-cylinder
en-
harmful
to
the
cooling
system
.
gine
.
Pry
off
tensioner
cover
and
then
lever
tensioner
in
clock-
wise
direction
(as
facing
engine)
and
slipbelt
off
pulleys
.
A
translucent
expansion
tank,
or
overflow
resenroir,
providesmonitóring
of
coolant
leve¡
.
Because
the
expansion
tank
is
translucent,
thecoolant
level
can
be
checked
visually
without
opening
the
system
.
Always
check
thecoolant
leve¡
with
theen-gine
cold
.
The
coolant
leve¡
should
be
at
the
maximum
mark
on
O
o
'~
I
the
expansion
tank,
as
shown
in
Fig
.
18
.
OO
Hose
connectionhld
b
tiht
s
soueg
an
ddry
.
Coolánt
seepage
indicates
either
that
the
hose
clamp
is
loose,
that
the
pose
is
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
0012470
Fig
.
16
.
Engine
drive
belt
routing
for
6-cylinder
engine
.
A/C
compres-
sor
drive
belt
not
shown
.
'92
irá
Alternator
belt
Coolant~
0
pp
o0o
Belt
tensioner
Cooling
System
Service
0013000
Cooling
system
maintenance
consists
of
maíntaining
thecoolant
leve¡,
inspecting
hoses
.
Because
the
coolant's
anti-cor-
rosion
and
anti-freeze
additives
gradually
lose
their
effective-
ness,
replacement
of
thecoolant
every
two
years
up
to
1996
models,
and
every
three
years
from
1996
is
recommended
.
Asa
preventive
measure,
replacement
of
the
cooling
system
hos-
es
every
four
years
is
also
recommended
.
damaged,
or
that
the
connection
is
dirty
or
corroded
.
Dried
cool-
ant
has
a
chalky
appearance
.
Hoses
should
be
firm
and
springy
.
Replace
any
hose
that
is
cracked,
that
has
become
soft
and
limp,
or
has
been
contaminated
by
oil
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
Power
steering
fluid,
checking
leve¡
Check
the
power
steering
fluid
level
in
the
fluid
reservoir
.
Park
thecar
on
leve¡
ground
with
the
engine
off
.
The
level
is
cor-
rect
if
it
is
between
the
MIN
and
MAX
marks
on
the
dipstick
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
If
the
leve¡
is
below
the
MIN
mark,
start
the
engine
andadd
fluid
to
the
reservoir
to
bríng
the
leve¡
up
.
Stop
the
engine
and
recheck
the
leve¡
.
Hand-tighten
the
reservoir
cap
.
Fig
.
18
.
Fill
mark
on
coolant
expansion
tank
.
Coolant
level
should
be
at
mark
when
engine
ís
cold
.
.
..
e
..
.-
..
~
..
.-
.
Ozone
Damaged
Hose
0012476
Fig
.
19
.
Examples
of
damage
to
coolant
hoses
.
Any
of
conditions
shown
is
cause
for
replacement
.
Courtesy
of
Gates
Rubber
Company,
Inc
.
Specification
"
Power
steering
fluid
..........
.
...
Dexron
III®ATF
Oxygen
Sensors
1996
and
later
engines
are
equipped
withmultiple
oxygen
sensors
.
See
Fig
.
21
.
A
regulating
sensor
is
mounted
before
each
catalytic
converter
and
amonitoring
sensor
downstream
of
each
converter
.
The
regulating
sensor
monitors
engine
com-
bustion
efficiency
and
helps
to
control
the
fuel
injection
system
and
exhaust
emissions
.
The
monitoring
sensor
is
usedby
the
On-board
diagnostic
system
to
monitor
the
function
of
the
cata-
lytic
converter
.
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
020-
1
5
NOTE-
5pecialsockets
for
replacingthe
oxygen
sensor
are
available
from
most
automotive
parts
stores
.
The
sock-
et
has
agroove
cut
down
one
side
to
allow
the
sensor
to
be
installed
without
damaging
the
wire
hamess
.
Fig
.
20
.
Power
steering
fluid
dipstick
showing
MIN
and
MAX
marks
.
OBD
II
enhanced
emission
standards
require
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
to
monitor
the
oxygen
content
in
theex-
haust
bothbefore
and
after
the
catalytic
converter
.
This
allows
for
tightercontrol
of
the
tail
pipe
emissions
and
also
allowsthe
ECM
to
diagnose
converter
problems
.
lf
the
DME
detects
that
catalytic
converter
or
oxygen
sensor
efficiency
has
degraded
past
a
certain
pre-programmed
limit,
it
will
turn
on
the
Check
Engine
light,
and
store
a
diagnostic
trouble
code
(DTC)
in
the
ECM
.
Replacement
of
oxygen
sensors
at
the
specified
intervals
en-
sures
that
the
engine
and
emission
control
system
wíll
continue
to
operate
as
designed
.
Extending
the
replacement
interval
may
void
the
emission
control
warranty
coverage
.
See
180
Ex-
haust
System
for
information
on
replacing
the
oxygen
sen-
sors
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Oxygen
sensor
to
exhaust
system
........
.
.
.
..
55±5
Nm
(40±4
ft-Ib)
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
020-
1
6
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
Fuel
filter,
replacing
Oxygen
sensor
(regulating)
\
Catalytic
Oxygen
sensor
convertor
(monitoring)
Fig
.
21
.
Typical
1996
and
later
exhaust
system
showing
oxygen
sensor
locations
.
UNDER-CAR
MAINTENANCE
convertor
On
early
4-cylínder
cars,
the
fuel
filter
is
mounted
under
the
caron
the
left
front
bulkhead
.
On
early
6-cylínder
cars,
the
fuel
filter
is
mounted
to
the
front
left
motor
mount
in
theengine
com-
partment
.
See
Fig
.
22
.
0013139
Fig
.
22
.
Fuel
filter
location
(arrow)
on
bulkheadunder
left
side
of
vehi-
cle
.
Filter
for
M42
engine
shown
.
On
later
cars,
the
fuel
filter
is
located
beneath
the
centerof
the
car,
approximately
under
the
driver's
seat
.
See
Fig
.
23
.
A
protective
cover
is
installed
overthe
fuel
filter,
which
must
be
re-
moved
to
access
the
filter
.
UNDER-CAR
MAINTENANCE
Exhaust
flap
actuator
(monitoring)
NOTE-
Drain
the
fuel
filter
trom
the
inlet
side
into
a
container
and
inspect
the
drained
fuel
.
Check
for
rust,
moisture
and
contamination
.
WARNING
-
Fuel
will
be
expelled
when
the
filter
is
removed
.
Do
not
smoke
or
worknear
heaters
or'other
fire
haz-ards
.
Keep
a
tire
extinguisher
handy
.
CAUTION-
Clean
thoroughly
around
the
filter
connections
be-
fore
removing
them
.
0012726
Fig
.
23
.
Fuel
filter
location
under
center
of
car
(arrow)
.
Filter
for
M52
engine
shown
.
Catálytic
\
Oxygen
sensor
When
replacing
the
fuel
filter,
disconnect
the
battery
negative
(-)
cable
and
clamp
the
filter
inlet
and
outlet
hoses
to
lessen
fuel
spillage
.
Loosen
thecenter
clamping
bracket
and
the
two
hoseclampson
either
end
of
the
filter
.
Note
the
arrow
or
mark-
ings
indicating
direction
of
flow
on
the
new
filter
.
Install
the
filter
anduse
new
hose
clamps
.
NOTE-
Use
a14
mm
or17
mm
alíen
bit
socket
to
remove
the
drain
plug
.
"
If
thecar
is
raised
in
the
air,
it
shouldbe
leve¡
.
Fuel
tank
and
fuel
fines,
inspecting
0012474
Inspect
the
fuel
tank,
fuel
lines,
and
fuel
system
for
damage
or
leaks
.
Check
for
fuel
leaks
in
the
engine
compartment
or
fuel
odors
in
the
passenger
compartment
.
Check
for
faultyfuel
lines
bybending
them
.
If
any
leaks
are
present,
fuel
should
be
expelled
.
Check
for
any
evaporative
emissions
hoses
that
may
have
become
disconnected,
checking
carefully
at
the
charcoal
canister
and
evaporative
emissionspurge
system
.
See130
Fuel
Injection
and
160
Fuel
Tank
and
Fuel
Pump
for
component
locations
and
additional
information
.
WARNING
-
When
checking
for
fuel
leaks,
the
engine
must
be
cold
.
A
hot
exhaust
manifold
or
exhaust
system
could
cause
the
fuel
to
ignite
or
explode
causing
se-
rious
personal
injury
.
Uentilate
the
workarea
and
clean
up
spilled
fuel
immediately
.
Clutch
fluid,
checking
The
hydraulic
clutch
and
the
brake
system
share
the
same
reservoir
and
the
same
brake
fluid
.
Clutch
fluid
leve¡
and
brake
fluid
level
are
checked
at
the
same
time
.
See340
Brakes
for
more
information
.
See210
Clutch
for
information
on
the
clutch
and
the
hydraulic
clutch
operating
system
.
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
020-19
Drive
axie
joint
boots,
inspecting
100
Engine-General
The
protective
boots
must
be
closely
inspected
for
cracks
andany
other
damage
that
will
allow
contaminants
to
get
ínto
the
joint
.
If
the
rubber
boots
faf
,
the
water
and
dirt
that
enter
the
joint
will
quickly
damage
¡t
.
Replacement
of
the
drive
axle
joint
boots
and
inspection
of
the
joints
are
described
in
330
Rear
Suspension
.
BODY
AND
INTERIOR
MAINTENANCE
Windshield
Wiper
Biade
Maintenance
Common
problems
with
the
windshield
wipers
include
streaking
or
sheeting,
water
drops
after
wiping,
and
blade
chat-
ter
.
Streaking
is
usually
caused
when
wiper
blades
are
coated
with
road
film
or
car
wash
wax
.
Clean
the
blades
using
soapy
water
.
If
cleaning
theblades
does
not
cure
the
problem
then
they
should
be
replaced
.
BMW
recommends
replacing
the
wip-
er
blades
twice
a
year,
before
and
after
the
cold
season
.
Onold-
er
cars,
check
the
tension
spring
that
holds
the
wiper
to
the
glass
.
Replace
the
wiper
arm
if
the
springs
are
weak
.
Drops
that
remainbehind
after
wipingare
caused
by
oil,
road
film,
or
diesel
exhaust
coating
the
windshield
.
Use
an
alcohol
or
ammonia
solution,
or
a
non-abrasive
cleanser
to
clean
the
windshield
.
Wiper
blade
chatter
may
be
caused
by
dirty
or
worn
blades,
bya
dirty
windshield,
or
by
bentor
twisted
wiper
arms
.
Clean
the
blades
and
windshield
as
described
above
.
Adjust
the
wiper
arm
so
that
there
is
even
pressure
along
the
blade,
and
so
that
the
blade
is
perpendicular
to
the
windshield
atrest
.
Lubricate
the
wiper
linkage
with
a
light
oil
.
The
linkage
is
located
under
the
hood
on
the
drivers
side
.
If
the
problem
persists,
theblades
are
excessively
aged
or
worn
and
should
be
replaced
.
See
611
Wipers
and
Washers
.
Body
and
hinges,
lubricating
The
door
locks
and
lock
cylinders
canbe
lubricated
with
an
oil
that
contains
graphite
.
The
body
and
door
hinges,
the
hood
latch,
and
the
door
check
rods
should
be
lubricated
with
SAE
30
or
SAE
40
engine
oil
.
Lubricate
the
seat
runners
with
multipurpose
grease
.
Do
not
apply
any
oil
to
rubber
parts
.
If
door
weatherstrips
are
sticking,
lubricate
them
with
silicone
spray
or
talcum
powder
.
The
hood
release
cable
should
be
lubricated
as
well
.
The
use
of
winter
lock
de-icer
spraysshould
be
kept
to
an
ab-
solute
minimum,
as
the
alcohol
in
the
de-icer
will
wash
the
grease
out
of
the
lock
assemblies,
and
may
cause
the
locks
to
corrode
internally,
or
become
difficult
to
operate
.
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-1
GENERAL
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-1
Cylinder
Block
and
Crankshaft
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-1
Connecting
Rods
and
Pistons
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-1
Cylinder
Head
and
Valvetrain
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-2
VANOS
(Variable
Valve
Timing)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
100-2
DISA
(Dual
Resonance
Intake
System)
.
.
.
.
.
100-3
Engine
Management
System
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-3
Ignition
......
.
.
.
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Fuel
Delivery
..
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Cooling
System
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
100-5
Lubrication
System
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
MECHANICALTROUBLESHOOTING
.
.
.
.
100-5
Warnings
and
Cautions
..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-5
Cylinder
compression,
checking
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-6
EngineMechanical
Troubleshooting
Table
.
.
.
100-7
DRIVEABILITY
TROUBLESHOOTING
...
100-8
GENERAL
There
are
various
engíne
configurations
used
in
the
1992-
1998
E36
cars
.
See
Table
a
.
On
both
four-
and
6-cylinder
engines,
the
cylinder
block
is
cast
¡ron
with
integral
cyiinders
.
The
cyiinders
are
exposed
on
all
sides
to
circulating
coolant
.
The
fully
counterweighted
crankshaft
rotates
in
replaceable
split-shell
main
bearings
.
Oiiways
drilled
into
the
crankshaft
pro-
vide
bearing
lubrication
.
O¡I
seals
pressed
into
alloy
sea¡
hous-
ings
are
installedat
both
ends
of
the
crankshaft
.
100
Engine-General
Tablea
.
Engine
Specifications
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-1
On-Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
100-8
Basic
Requirements
....
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.100-11
Preventive
Maintenance
......
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-11
Basic
Engine
Settings
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-11
Oxygen
Sensors
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.100-11
Air
Flow
Measurement
and
Vacuum
Leaks
.
.100-12
Battery
Voltage
.
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-12
Wiring
and
Harness
Connections
.
.
.
.
.....
100-13
Ground
Connections
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.....
100-13
Fue¡
Supply
....
.
...........
.
.
..
.....
.100-14
TABLES
a
.
Engine
Specifications
...
...
...........
.
..
..
.100-1
b
.
Engine
Management
Systems
..
..
...........
..
100-5
c
.
Engine
Mechanical
Troubleshooting
..........
.
.
100-8
d
.
OBD
1
Fault
(Blink)
Codes
(1992-1995
models
only)
.
...
..
..
..........
..
.100-9
e
.
Engine
Driveability
Troubleshooting
...........
.100-15
Model
Engine
code
No
.
of
Dispiacement
Compression
Horsepower
cyiinders
liters
(cu
.
in
.)
ratio
SAE
net
@
rpm
318i/is/¡C
1992-1995
M42
4
1
.8
(109
.6)
10
.0
:1
100
@
6000
1996-1998
M44
4
1
.9
(115
.6)
~
10
.0
:1
103
@
6000
323ís/iC
1998
M52
6
2
.5
(152
.2)
10
.5
:1
168
@
5,500
325i/is/iC
1992-1995
M50
6
2
.5
(152
.2)
10
.0
:1
110
@
5,900
328i/is/iC
1996-1998
M52
6
2
.8
(170
.4)
10
.2
:1
190
@
5,300
M3
1995
S50US
6
3
.0
(182
.5)
10
.5:1
240
@
6,000
1996-1998
S52US
6
3
.2
(192
.3)
10
.5:1
240
@
6,000
Cylinder
Block
and
Crankshaft
Connecting
Rods
and
Pistons
The
forged
connecting
rods
use
replaceable
split-shell
bearings
at
the
crankshaft
endand
solid
bushings
at
the
pis-
ton
pin
end
.
The
pistonsare
of
the
three-ring
typewith
two
up-
per
compression
rings
and
a
lowerone-piece
o¡i
scraper
ring
.
Fui¡-floating
piston
pins
are
retained
with
circlips
.
GENERAL
ignition
Table
b
.
Engine
Management
Systems
engine
has
high
mileage
.
Engine
1
System
4-cylinder
engines
M42
(1992-1995)
Bosch
DME
Ml
.7
M44
(1996-1998)
Bosch
DME
M5
.2
(OBD
II)
6-cylinder
engines
M50
(1992)
Bosch
DME
M3
.1
M50
VANOS
(1993-1995)
Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1
M52
(1996-1998)
Siemens
MS41
.1
(OBD
II)
S50US
(1995)
Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1
S52US
(1996-1998)
Siemens
MS41
.1
(OBD
II)
Both
the
4-cylinder
and
6-cylinder
engines
use
a
distributor-
less
ignition
system
with
individual
ignition
coils
for
each
cylin-
der
.
FuelDelivery
Pressurized
fuel
from
the
in-tank
fuel
pump
is
injected
via
solenoid-type
fuel
injectors
.
The
ECM
controls
the
opening
and
closing
of
the
injectors
by
switchingthe
ground
side
of
each
injector
circuit
.
The
exact
amount
of
fuel
injected
is
de-
termined
by
the
amount
of
timethe
injectors
are
open
.
Cooling
System
Whenever
the
engine
is
running,
acoolant
pump
circulates
coolant
through
the
engine
and,
if
either
heater
control
valves
are
open,
through
the
heater
core
in
the
passenger
compart-
ment
.
The
coolant
absorbs
excess
heat
and
carries
it
to
the
ra-
diator
where
it
is
transferred
into
the
passing
airstream
.
A
thermostat
controls
the
flow
of
coolant
through
the
radiator
based
on
engine
temperature
.
Lubrication
System
The
lubrication
system
is
pressurized
whenever
theengine
is
running
.
The
oil
pump
draws
oil
through
a
pickup
in
the
bot-
tom
of
the
oil
pan,thenforces
it
through
a
replaceable
oil
filter
and
finto
the
engine
oíi
passages
.
On
4-cylinder
engines,
the
oil
pump
is
mounted
to
the
front
engine
cover
.
On
6-cylinder
engines,thechain-driven
oil
pump
is
bolted
to
the
bottom
of
the
cylinder
block
.
A
pressure
relief
valve
limits
the
maximum
system
pres-
sure
.
A
bypass
valve
prevents
the
oil
filter
from
bursting
and
insures
engine
lubrication
should
the
filter
become
plugged
.
See
119
Lubrication
System
for
additional
information
.
ENGINE-GENERAL
100-
5
Various
versions
of
DME
systems
are
usedon
thecars
cov-
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
ered
by
this
manual
.
See
Table
b
.
Each
system
is
highly
adaptive
to
compensate
for
things
suchasengine
wear
and
When
troubleshooting
an
engine
that
fails
to
start
or
runs
vacuum
leaks
.
poorly,
first
check
its
mechanical
condition-particularly
if
the
Warnings
and
Cautions
For
personal
safety,
as
well
asthe
protection
of
sensitive
electronic
components,
the
following
warnings
and
cautions
must
be
adhered
to
during
all
troubleshooting,
maintenance,
and
repairwork
.
WARNING
-
"
The
ignition
system
produces
high
voltages
that
can
be
fatal
.
Avoid
contact
with
exposed
termi-
nals
anduse
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
switched
on
or
the
engine
running
.
"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
high
voltage
ca-
bles
from
the
coil,
distributor,
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
is
running
or
being
cranked
by
the
starter
"
Connect
and
disconnect
the
engine
manage-
ment
system
wiring
and
test
equipment
leads
only
when
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.
"
Gasoline
is
highly
flammable
and
its
vapors
are
explosive
.
Do
not
smoke
or
work
on
a
car
near
heaters
or
other
fire
hazards
when
diagnosing
and
repairing
fuel
system
problems
.
Have
a
fire
extínguisher
available
in
case
of
an
emergency
.
"
Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
code(s)
stored
in
control
module
memory
.
Using
special
BMW
diagnosnnc
equipment,
check
for
fault
codes
prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery
cables
.
If
the
Check
Engine
lightis
illuminated,
see
On-
Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
forfault
code
infor-
mation
.
If
any
other
system
faults
havebeen
de-tected
(indicated
byan
illuminated
warning
light),
see
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
CAUTION-
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
gíven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
"
Do
notconnect
any
test
equipment
that
delivers
a
12-volt
power
supply
to
terminal15
(+)
of
the
ignition
coil
.
The
current
flow
may
damage
the
ECM
.
In
general,
connect
test
equipment
only
as
specified
by
BMW,
this
manual,
or
the
equip-
ment
maker
.
"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
with
the
engine
running
.
Do
notrunthe
engine
with
any
of
the
sparkplug
wires
disconnected
.
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
100-6
ENGINE-GENERAL
Cylinder
compression,
checking
A
compression
tester
is
needed
to
make
a
compression
test
.
To
obtain
accurate
test
results,
the
battery
and
starter
must
be
capable
of
cranking
the
engine
at
250-300
rpm,
and
theen-
gine
should
be
at
normal
operating
temperature
.
Use
com-
pressed
air
to
clean
aroundthe
spark
plugs
before
removal
.
1
.
Disable
the
ignítion
system
by
removing
the
engine
management
system
main
relay
and
the
fuel
pump
re-
¡ay
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
WARNING
-
The
ignítion
system
produces
high
voltages
that
canbe
fatal
.
Avoid
contact
with
exposed
termínals
and
useextreme
caution
when
working
on
acar
wíth
the
ignítion
switched
on
or
the
engine
running
.
Fuel
DM
E
pump
main
re
ay
rel
ay
o
oa
ooa
.,
o00
oao
Fig
.
6
.
Engine
management
relays
in
power
distribution
box
inleft
rear
of
engine
compartment
.
CAUTION-
"
On
OBD
11
cars,
making
a
compression
test
may
causea
faultto
set
in
the
ECM
and
may
also
il-
luminate
the
Check
Engine
light
.
The
light
can
only
be
tumed
out
using
special
scan
tool
equip-
ment,using
eíther
the
BMW
specialservíce
tool
or
using
a
"generic"
OBD
11
scan
tool
.
Discon-
necting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault
mem-
orynor
turn
outthe
light
.
0013034,
0012630
Fig
.
7
.
Remove
spark
plug
wires
from
spark
plugs
on
4-cylinder
en-
gine
using
special
tool
.
Tool
is
stored
under
cover
at
rear
of
cylinder
head
(arrow)
.
Fig
.
8
.
Remove
engine
cover
on
6-cylinder
engine
byprying
off
nut
covers
and
removing
nuts
(A)
.
Be
careful
not
to
let
rubber
in-
sulators
fall
off
as
cover
is
removed
(arrows)
.
4
.
On
6-cylinder
engines,
disconnect
the
harness
connec-
tors
from
the
ignítion
coils
by
lifting
the
retaining
clip
.
Remove
the
coil
mounting
nuts
andremove
the
six
coils
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Remove
the
sparkplugs
.
"
Failure
to
remove
the
main
relay
or
attempting
to
disable
the
ignítion
system
by
other
methods
may
resultin
damage
to
the
engine
control
module
.
NOTE-
Used
sparkplugs
should
be
reinstalled
in
the
same
cyl-
2
.
On
4-cylinder
engine
:
Remove
plastic
engine
cover
from
inder
fromwhich
they
were
removed
.
top
of
cylinder
head
.
Disconnect
spark
plug
wires
and
re-
move
spark
plugs
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
5
.
Insta¡¡
the
compression
gauge
in
the
first
cylinder's
3
.
On
6-cylinder
engine
:
Remove
top
engine
coverby
pry-
spark
plug
hole,
tight
enough
to
form
a
good
seal
.
ing
off
nut
covers
and
removing
mounting
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
MECHANICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
100-8
ENGINE-GENERAL
Symptom
1
Probable
cause
and
correctiveaction
1
.
Engine
will
not
start
or
run
.
Starter
cranks
a
.
No
fuel
reaching
engine
.
Check
forfuelin
tank
.
engine
at
normal
speed
.
Fuel
pump
notoperating
.
Repair
Group
160
b
.
No
spark
.
Check
ignition
system
.
Repair
Group
120
c
.
Incorrect
valve
timing
.
Check
timing
chain
.
Repair
Group
117
2
.
Check
Engine
warning
light
illuminated
.
a
.
DME
engine
management
system
self-diagnostic
fault
detected
.
Sea
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
shop
for
OBD
II
fault
code
diagnosis
.
See
also
On-
board
Diagnostics(OBD),
given
later
inthis
repair
group
.
3
.
White
exhaust
smoke
(steam)
.
a
.
Failed
cylinder
head
gasket
(probably
accompanied
bylowcompression
readings)
.
Replace
gasket
and
resurface
cylinder
head
if
necessary
.
Repair
Group
113
4
.
Blue-gray
exhaust
smoke
and
oily
spark
a
.
Contaminated
or
gasoline-diluted
engine
oil
.
Change
engine
oil
and
replace
oil
filter
.
plugs
.
Indicates
oii
burning
in
combustion
.
Repair
Group
020
b
.
Faulty
valve
guide
seals
or
valve
guides
.
Replace
valve
guide
oil
seals
or
overhaul
cylinder
head
.
Repair
Group
116
5
.
Pinging
or
rattling
when
under
load,
a
.
Ignition
timing
too
advanced
.
Ignition
knocksensors
faulty
(CheckEngine
light
traveling
uphill,
or
accelerating,
especially
illuminated)
.
Repair
Group
120fromlow
speeds
.
Indicates
pre-ignition
or
b
.
Fuel
octane
leve¡
toolow
.
detonation
.
c
.
Engine
running
too
hot
or
overheating
.
Check
cooling
system
.
Repair
Group
170
6
.
Light
metallic
tapping
that
varies
directly
with
engine
speed
.
Oil
pressure
warning
light
not
illuminated
.
7
.
Light
metallic
knock
that
varies
directly
with
enginespeed
.
Oil
pressure
warning
light
blinking
or
fully
illuminated
;
may
be
most
noticeable
during
hard
stops
or
cornering
.
8
.
Screeching
or
squealing
under
load
that
a
.
Loose,worn,
or
damaged
drive
belt
.
Inspect
belt(s)
.
Repair
Group
020
goesaway
when
coasting
.
9
.
Growling
or
rumbling
that
varieswith
engine
a
.
Remove
drive
belt(s)toidentifyfaulty
component
.
Check
for
play,
bearing
roughness,
rpm
.
Indicates
abad
bearing
or
bushing
in
and
loose
mountings
.
Refer
to
appropriate
repair
group
for
repair
procedures
.
an
engine-driven
accessory
.
DRIVEABILITY
TROUBLESHOOTING
On-Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
On-Board
Diagnostics
is
incorporated
into
al¡
engine
man-
Two
generations
of
OBD
are
usedon
thecars
covered
by
agement
systems
used
on
the
cars
covered
by
this
manual
.
this
manual
:
Therefore,
checking
for
fault
codes
should
be
the
first
step
in
troubleshootinga
driveability
problem
.
For
additional
informa-
On-Board
Diagnostics
tion
on
engine
management
and
repair
see130
Fuel
Injec-
tion
.
"
1992-1995models
....
.
..
....
.
..
.......
OBD
I
"
1996-1998models
.
....
..
.
.
.
..
.
........
OBD
II
DRIVEABILITY
TROUBLESHOOTING
Tablec
.
Engine
Mechanical
Troubleshooting
b
.
Warped
or
cracked
cylinder
head
.
Resurface
or
replace
cylinder
head
.
Repair
Group
113
c
.
Cracked
cylinder
block
.
Replace
engine
or
short
block
.
c
.
Worn
piston
rings
.
Overhaul
or
replace
engine
.
d
.
Failed
cylinder
head
gasket
.
Replace
gasket
.
Repair
Group
113
d
.
Air/fuel
mixture
too
lean
(Check
Engine
light
illuminated)
.
Repair
Group
130
a
.
Valveclearances
excessive
.
Check
hydraulic
valve
adjusters
.
Repair
Group
116
b
.
Low
oil
pressure
orpossibly
defective
warning
light
circuit
.
Check
oil
pressure
andwarning
light
circuit
.
Repair
Group
119
c
.
Dirty
oil
.
Change
oil
.
Repair
Group
020
.
a
.
Low
oil
leve¡
.
Check
and
correct
oil
leve¡
.
b
.
Low
oil
pressure/worn
or
faulty
oil
pump
.
Oil
pump
pickup
restricted/clogged
.
Check
oil
pressure
.
Repair
Group
119
The
OBD
system
detects
emissions-related
engine
manage-
ment
malfunctions
and
tucos
on
the
Check
Engíne
lightin
the
in-
strument
cluster
.
TheCheck
Engine
light
will
stay
on
until
the
code(s)are
called
up
and
the
memory
is
erased
.
When
faulty
are
detected,
the
OBD
system
stores
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
in
the
system
ECM
.
In
addition,
the
Check
Engine
warn-
ing
light
will
come
on
if
an
emissions-related
fault
is
detected
.