2001 BMW 525i lubrication system

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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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1 19-3
Lubrication System
V-8 crankshaft rear main seal tool
(Tool No. BMW
11 1 230)
I i 4 V-8 crankshaft rear main seal ouide
4 Adapter for BMW oil pressure gauge
(Tool No. BMW
11 4 050)
Engine lubrication
Oil pressure is generated by a gear-type pump bolted to the
bottom oi the engine block. The oil pump is chain driven off
the front of the crankshaft.
Table a. Engine oil capacity (includes oil filter replacement)
6-cylinder 6.5
liters (6.9
US qt)
V-8 7.5 liters (7.9 US qt)
The oil pressure warning system consists of an oil pressure
switch mounted in the oil circuit and an instrument
panel
warning light. Other saiety features include:
Q A filter bypass to provide lubrication should the oil filter be-
come clogged.
An oil pump pressure relief valve to prevent excessive sys-
tem pressure.
CAUTIOI\C
If the red oil pressure warning light comes on or flashes on
while driving, always assume that the oilpressure is low. Stop
the engine immediately and make arrangements to test oil
pressure.

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-
I Lubrication System - I
Oil pressure, checking
The oil pressure warning switch is located at the base of the
oil filter housing.
In 6-cylinder engines access to oil pressure warning switch
connector (arrow) is extremely restricted (intake manifold re.
moved for the purpose of illustration).
V-8 engine oil pressure warning switch (arrow) is at base of
oil filter housing on left engine compartment inner fender.
Oil pressure is tested by removing oil pressure switch and in-
stalling oil pressure gauge in its place.
Unscrew oil filter cap in order to allow engine oil to drain back
down into oil pan.
Disconnect harness connector from oil pressure switch and
remove switch.
NOJE-
Thoroughly clean around the oil pressure switch before
removing it.
Be prepared to catch leaking oil with a shop towel.
- Install pressure gauge in place of oil pressure switch,
- With gauge installed, start engine and allow to reach operat-
ing temperature. Check oil pressure. See Table b.
NOJE-
For the most accurate test results, the engine oil and filter
should be new. The oil should be the correct grade.
Table b. Engine oil pressure
At idle 0.5 bar (7 psi)
At elevated speed
6-cylinder engine 4.0 bar
(59 psi)
V-8 engine 4.5 bar (66 psi)

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. .- -
L
- --
- - -. - -- Lubrication ~~stern
- Remove pressure gauge and reinstall pressure switch with
new sealing washer.
Tightening torque
Oil pressure switch to oil filter housing 27 Nm (20 ft-lb)
If testing shows low oil pressure, one or more of the following
conditions may be indicated:
Worn or faulty oil pump or faulty pump pressure relief valve
Worn or damaged engine bearings
Severe engine wear
Any of these conditions indicate the need for major repairs.
Oil pressure warning system, testing
4 When the ignition is turned on, the oil pressure warning light
comes on. When the engine is started and the oil pressure
rises slightly, the oil pressure switch (arrow) contact opens
and the warning light goes out. Make sure the oil level is cor-
rect before making tests.
- Turn ignition switch on.
- Warning light on instrument panel must light up
- Remove connector from oil pressure switch.
Warning light on instrument panel must go out.
NOTE-
If the light does not go out, the wiring to the switch is most
likely grounded somewhere between the switch terminaland
the warning light See
ELE Electrical Wiring Diagrams for
electrical schematics.
- If warning light does not light when ignition is on, remove con-
nector from oil pressure switch and use a jumper wire to
ground connector terminal to a clean metal surface. The oil
pressure warning light should come on.
NOTE-
If there are two wires to the oil pressure switch, ground the
brown/green wire that carries the signal to the warning light.
- If the warning light comes on, check the switch as described
in the next step. If the warning light does not come on, the
wiring to the instrument cluster or to the light itself is faulty.

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Lubrication System
To test switch, connect an ohmmeter between terminal in
switch body (arrow) and ground. With engine off, there
should be continuity. With engine running, oil pressure
should open switch and there should be no continuity. Re-
place a faulty switch.
CAUTION-
Keep in mind that low oil pressure may be preventing the
switch from turning the light out
If the light remains on while
the engine is running, check the oil pressure as described
earlier. Do not drive the car until the problem is corrected. The
engine may be severely damaged.
Crankshaft rear main seal replacement requires removal of
the transmission and flywheel.
Crankshaft rear main seal, replacing
(&cylinder)
- 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 or 240 Automatic Trans-
mission.
- Drain engine oil.
4 Remove seal carrier bolts from oil pan (arrows). Loosen all
oil pan bolts.

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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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11 9-1 0
Lubrication System
Oil pan, removing and installing
(6-cylinder)
The engine oil pan removal procedure requires that the en-
gine be supported from the top and the front suspension
sub-
frame be lowered.
- Raise car and place securely on jack stands.
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive
lift orjackstands designed for
- Remove splash shield from under engine.
- Drain engine oil as described in 020 Maintenance.
4 Remove oil dipsticlc guide tube:
Disconnect fuel lines and wiring harness from
bracket (A).
- Disconnect oil separator hose (B) from base of guide tube.
Remove mounting bolt
(C) from left engine mounting
bracket and remove tube from oil pan.
NOTE-
* If necessary, remove air filter assembly for better access to
dipsticlc tube.
The dipstick guide tube is sealed in the block using an
O-
ring. Check that the O-ring comes out with the tube.
4 Lift hood into assembly position:
While supporting the hood, disconnect hood support
struts.
Raise hood and install
loclting bolts (arrow) in right and left
hinges.
WARNING-
Be sure to support hood while disconnecting support struts.

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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.