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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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020-26
Maintenance
NOTE-
The parking brake may lose some of its effectiveness if it is
not used frequently This is due to corrosion build-up on the
parking brake drum. To remove corrosion, apply the parking
brake just until it begins to grip, then pull the lever up one
more stop (click). Drive the car approximately 400 meters
(1,300
ft.) and release the brake. To recheck the adjustment
of the parking brake see
340 Brakes.
Clutch fluid, checking
In cars equipped with manual transmission and clutch, the hy-
draulic clutch and the brake system share the same reservoir
and the same bralte fluid. Clutch fluid level and brake fluid lev-
el are checked at the same time.
NOTE-
* See 340 Brakes for more information.
See
210 Clutch for information on the clutch and the
hydraulic clutch operating system.
Differential oil level, checking
The E39 differential is filled with lifetime oil that ordinarily
does not need to be changed.
BMW recommends using only
a specially formulated synthetic gear oil
(SAF-XO) that is
available through an authorized
BM\N dealer parts depart-
ment. For additional information on this lubricant and any
other lubricants that may be compatible, contact an
authorized
BMW dealer service department.
< Check rear differential oil level at filler plug (arrow).
- Check lubricant level with car on a level surface:
Level is correct when fluid just reaches edge of filler hole.
If necessary, top up fluid.
Replace filler plug sealing ring.
Install and tighten oil filler plug when oil level is correct.
NOTE-
Use either a 14 mm or 17 mm Allen socket to remove the
drain plug.
If the car is raised in the air, it should be level when
checking or filling final drive fluid level.
Tightening torque
Filler plug to final drive housing 70 Nrn (52 it-lb)
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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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113-10
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Working above engine, disconnect the following:
Vent line from cylinder head cover
(A).
. Oxygen sensor connectors (B).
Electrical harness connector from VANOS solenoid
valve
(C).
Electrical harness connectors at throttle valve position
switch
(D), ASC valve position switch (E), fuel injector har-
ness
(F) and vent valve (G).
CAUTION-
Be sure to mark oxygen sensor harness connectors so that
they can be reassembled correctly Do not interchange con-
nectors.
4 Where applicable, remove schraeder valve cap (arrow) from
air connection on fuel rail. Using a tire chuck, blow fuel back
through feed line using a brief burst of compressed air (max-
imum of
3 bar or 43.5 psi).
WARNING-
. Fuel in fuel line is underpressure (approx. 3 - 5 bar or 45 -
75 psi) and may be expelled. Do not smoke or work near
heaters or other fire hazards. Keep a fire extinguisher
handy Before disconnecting fuel hoses, wrap a cloth
around fuel hoses to absorb any leaking fuel. Catch and
dispose of escaped fuel. Plug open fuel lines.
- Always unscrew the fuel rank cap ro release pressure
;n the tank before working on the tank or lines.
Disconnect fuel lines by sliding locking collar in (arrows) and
pulling lines apart.
NOTE-
BMW uses three styles of fuel line connections; a one-time
use
clamp; a locking fitting that uses BMWspecial tool 16 1
050 to release; and a quick release sleeve (above) that dis-
connects the line when depressed.
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Fuel Injection
CAUTION-
Be sure ignition is OFF before disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
Remove engine coolant temperature sensor:
Unclip crankcase vent hose
(C) from cylinder head cover.
Remove plastic cover
(6) from atop intake manifold run-
ners.
Working under front of intake manifold, disconnect ECT
harness.
Unscrew ECT sensor
(C) from cylinder head.
Installation is reverse of removal:
Use new copper sealing washers when installing sensor.
Replace any engine coolant lost.
Tightening torque
Temperature sensor to cylinder head
13 Nm (10 it-lb)
Intake air temperature ([AT) sensor,
testing and replacing
4 The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor (arrow) signal is
used by the ECM to monitor intake air temperature for fuel
and
igntion adaptation. The sensor is .ocared in rne 'ntane
man:lold behind the throttle housng.
The ECM monitors an applied voltage (5 vdc) to the sensor
The voltage drop across the sensor varies as the intake air
temperature (sensor resistance) changes.
NOJE-
The IATsensor is an NTC (negative temperature coefficient)
type sensor. In other words, as the temperature rises, resis-
tance through the sensor decreases.
If the IAT sensor input is implausible, a
fault code is set.The
MIL is illuminated when OED II fault criteria are exceeded.
The ECM then operates the engine using only the engine
coolant temperature (ECT) sensor input.
The intake air temperature sensor can be tested using a
mul-
timeter across its terminals:
/ IAT sensor resistance @ 20" C (68°F) / 2.2 - 2.7 lkCk
~ -- ~~ -
CAUTION--
Be sure ignition is
OFFbefore disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
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Fuel Injection
Engine coolant temperature
(ECT) sensor,
testing and replacing
4 The ECT sensor is located below cylinder 6 intake port at the
rear of the engine (1).
The ECT sensor is a dual temperature sensor. One circuit
provides coolant temperature information to the ECM while
the other circuit provides coolant temperature information to
the instrument cluster.
The ECM determines the correct ignition timing and airlfuel
mixture required
forthe engine temperature by monitoring an
appliedvoltage
(5vdc) to the sensor.Thevoltage drop across
the sensor varies as the coolant temperature (sensor resis-
tance) changes.
NOTE-
The ECT sensor is an NTC (negative temperature coeffi-
cient) type sensor. In other words, as the temperature rises,
resistance through the sensor decreases.
If the ETC sensor input is faulty or non-plausible, the MIL is il-
luminated when the MIL is illuminated when
OED II fault crite-
ria are exceeded. The ECM assumes a substitute value
(80" C 11 76'F) to maintain engine operation. The ignition tim-
ing is set to a
conservativelsafe basic setting.
- Remove intake manifold to access ECT sensor on the M52
TU and the M54 engines. See 113 Cylinder Head Removal
and Installation.
- Check ECT sensor resistance using a multimeter at sensor
terminals.
WARNING -
Due to rislc of personal injury, be sure the engine is cold be-
fore removing ECT sensor connector.
ECT sensor resistance @ 20°C (68°F)
CAUTIOI\C
Be sure ignition is OFFbefore disconnecting or reconnecting
DME svstem components.
2.2 - 2.7 k
4 Disconnect ECT sensor harness connector (arrow). Un-
screw ECT sensor from cylinder head.
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230-6
Manual Transmission
Manual transmissions installed in the 5 Series are normally
filled with a "Lifetime" manual transmission fluid
(BMW MTF
LT-I) and do not require periodic fluid changes. Transmis-
sions filled with MTF LT-I lifetime oil are identified with a yel-
low label near the transmission fill plug labeled "Lifetime Oil
MTF-LT-1".
Transmission fluid level, checking
- Drive vehicle for a few miles to warm transmission.
- Raise and safely support vehicle to access transmission
filler plug.
CAUTION-
Make sure the car is stable and well supporfedat all times.
4 Remove side filler plug (B). Insert finger into hole to check
fluid level. If fluid level is up to bottom of filler hole (finger is
wetted by transmission fluid), level is correct.
NOTE-
* Check and fill transmission with car on level surface.
5-speed transmission shown in illustration. 6-speed trans-
mission is similar.
- Install and torque filler plug.
Tightening torque
Transmission drain or fill
plug
to transmission case SO Nm (37 it-lb)
Transmission fluid, replacing
- Drive vehicle for a few miles to warm transmission.
- Raise and safely support vehicle to access drain plug.
CAUTION-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed
for the purpose.
A floor jack is not adequate support.
Check that the
fill plug is not seizedprior to draining
transmission fluid.
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Final Drive
Tightening torques
F~nal drive to rear axle carrier 105 Nm (77 it-lb)
Driveshaft CV joint to final drive flange
- MlO (Torx bolt) 70
Nm (51 ft-lb)
- M8 (compression nut) 32 Nm (24
ft-lb)
Drive axle to final drive
ilange
Torx bolts (M10) 83 Nm (61 ft-lb)
Torx bolt with
rlbbed teeth (M10) 64 Nm (47 ft-lb)
Torx bolt
wlth ribbed teeth (MI0 sliver) 80 Nm (59 ft-lb)
Torx
bolt with ribbed teeth (M10 black) 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
* Torx bolt with ribbed teeth (M12) 135 Nm (100 ft-lb)
Differential oil level, checking
The E39 differential is filled with lifetime oil that ordinarily
does not need to be changed. BMW recommends using only
a specially formulated synthetic gear oil
(SAF-XO) that is
available through an authorized BMW dealer parts depart-
ment. For additional information on this lubricant and any oth-
er lubricants that may be compatible, contact an authorized
BMW dealer service department.
< Check rear differential oil level at filler plug (arrow).
- Check lubricant level with car on a level surface:
Level is correct when fluid just reaches edge of filler hole.
If necessary, top up fluid.
* Replace filler plug sealing ring.
Install and tighten oil filler plug when oil level is correct.
NOTE-
Use either a 14 mm or 17 mm Allen socket to remove the
drain plug.
If car is raised in the air. it should be level when
checkino " or filling final drive fluid level.
- Tightening torque -
Filler plug to final drive housing 70 Nm (52
ft-lb) -