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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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110-12
Engine Removal and Installation
4 Remove hoses from thermostat housing by releasing locks
(arrows). If applicable, detach electrical harness connector
for thermostat housing.
NOTE-
Two different types of hose fasteners are used on the E39
car; lock clamp type as shown above or standard band
clamps.
- On vehicles equipped with mechanical cooling fan: Remove
belt-driven cooling fan and radiator as described in
170 Ra-
diator and Cooling
System.
CAUTION-
32 mm radiator fan mounting nut has left hand threads.
4 Disconnect coolant hose (arrow) at rear left side of engine
above starter.
4 Disconnect coolant hose (arrow) at front left side of engine
mount.
- Unbolt power steering fluid reservoir and pull aside without
detaching hoses. Secure to fender with cord or stiff wire.
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Engine Removal and Installation
4 Working at E-box at right rear of engine compartment:
Disconnect engine electrical harness connectors
(arrows).
Lift off harness looms and lay over engine.
- Remove polyribbed drive belts. Mark direction of rotation if
belts will be reused. See 020 Maintenance.
- Remove exhaust system and transmission from car. See 180
Exhaust System, 230 Manual Transmission or 240 Auto-
matic Transmission.
NOJE-
Detach automatic transmission cooler lines from radiator, re-
move brackets holding lines to side of engine, andstore lines
in a clean environment.
- Remove power steering pump:
If necessary, remove steering pump pulley.
Remove front and rear pump mounting bolts.
Suspend pump from body using stiff wire.
4 Remove A/C compressor mounting bolts (arrows) and AIC
compressor from its mounting bracketwithoutdisconnecting,
distorting, or deforming any refrigerant lines. Suspend from
body using stiff wire.
4 If applicable, remove secondary air pump:
Remove hose at one-way valve
(A).
Remove bolts at support bracket on strut tower (arrows).
- Disconnect electrical harness from bottom of secondary
air pump.
Remove bracket from strut tower.
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--
-- Engine Removal and installation' -
Remove polyribbed A/C compressor belt:
Mark direction of belt travel if belts are to be reused.
Loosen bolts
(A).
Turn adjusting lug (B) clocltwise to release belt tension.
Working beneath car, remove power steering pump and air
conditioner compressor. Suspend from body using stiff wire.
Remove exhaust manifolds. See
180 Exhaust System.
< lnstall engine lifting device (BMW 11 0 000 or equivalent) to
front and rear engine supports and raise engine until it's
weight is supported. Detach engine mounts.
a Watch carefully for hoses and electrical wires that might
snag.
- installation is reverse of removal:
Replace all gaskets, O-rings and seals.
V-8 engine mounts have two sets of mounting holes. E39
cars use front most mounting holes.
* On cars with automatic transmission, use new O-rings at
ATF cooler lines.
Use new alignment sleeves when installing transmission.
Be sure engine drive belts properly engage pulley grooves.
When installing belt, preload tensioner to stop (toward
belt), then tighten tensioner clamping nut.
lnstall front exhaust pipes using new gasltets and copper
paste and new mounting hardware. See
180 Exhaust
System.
Change engine oil and filter. Check all other fluid levels as
described in
020 Maintenance.
Refill and bleed cooling system as described in
170 Radi-
ator and Cooling System.
CAUTION-
Do not interchange knoclc sensor harness connectors. Seri-
ous engine damage may result
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I Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Drain engine coolant and remove coolant hoses:
Remove expansion tank cap on radiator.
Place a
3 gallon pail beneath engine to capture coolant
Remove coolant drain plug (arrow) located on exhaust
side of cylinder
2 of engine block.
4 Drain radiator into a 3 gallon pail by removing plastic drain
plug (arrow) completely.
Use caution when draining and disposing of engine coolant.
Coolant is poisonous andlethal to humans andpets. Pets are
attracted to coolant because of its sweet smell and taste.
Seek medical
attention immediately if coolant is ingested.
NOTE-
Catch and dispose of drained coolant according to local,
state, and federal laws.
4 Remove thermostat housing:
. Disconnect electrical harness connector at thermostat
housing.
. Remove hoses from thermostat hous~ng by releasing loclts
(arrows).
Unbolt
(4 bolts) and remove thermostat hous~ng.
- On vehicles equipped with mechanical cooling fan: Remove
belt-driven cooling fan and radiator shroud as described in
170 Radiator and Cooling System.
CAUTIOI\C
32 mm radiator fan mounting nut has left hand threads. r
4 Remove fasteners (arrows) from heater bypass tube. Pull
tube out of cylinder head and set to side, leaving heater hose
connected.
- Unbolt power steering fluid reservoir and pull aside without
disconnecting hoses. Secure to fender with cord or stiff wire.
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11 9-2
Lubrication System
This repair group covers lubrication system troubleshooting
as well as oil pan removal and oil pump replacement.
In 6-cylinder models, removal of the oil pan requires the re-
moval of the exhaust system and some front suspension
components. Those procedures are fully covered in:
180 Exhaust System
210 Clutch
230 Manual Transmission
0 240 Automatic Transmission
310 Front Suspension
320 Steering and Wheel Alignment
NOTE-
Oil change procedure and oil filter replacement are covered
in
020 Maintenance.
CAUTIOG
V8 engines: The oil pump fasteners (including the sprocket
retaining nut) are known to vibrate loose. This can result in oil
starvation and engine failure. Be sure to check oil bolts and
nut tightness whenever the
oilpump is accessible. If any fas-
teners are found to be loose, remove them and reinstall with
Loctite
Band torque to specifications.
Special tools
The engine needs to be properly supported while the front
suspension
subframe is lowered to access the oil pan.
A standard oil pressure gauge may be used for measuring oil
pressure.
Engine support bracket
(Tool No, BMW 00 0 20012011202~2041208)
4 6-cylinder crankshalt rear main seal tools
(Tool No. BMW 00 5 50011
1 1 260)
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Lubrication system/
4 Install engine lifting tool at front of engine and raise engine
approximately
5 mm (114 in).
< Remove pinch bolt (arrow) at steering column universal joint
near steering rack. See
320 Steering and Alignment.
- Remove power steering pump, leaving hydraulic lines con-
nected to pump. Suspend pump using strong wire. See
320
Steering and Wheel Alignment.
NOTE-
For better access to power steering assembly, unbolt fluid
reservoir and suspend with wire.
Loosen upper nuts (arrow) in right and lefl engine mounts,
< Remove right and left lower engine mount nuts (arrow)
- On cars with automatic transmission, remove ATF cooler line
brackets from engine oil pan.
- Disconnect electrical harness connector at oil level sensor on
oil pan.