ECO BMW 525i 1997 E39 Owner's Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
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)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
020-28
1 Maintenance
- When replacing fuel filter:
Use appropriate hose clamping device to clamp off filter
inlet and outlet hoses to lessen fuel spillage.
Loosen center clamping bracket and hose clamps on
either end of filter.
Note arrow or markings indicating direction of flow on
new filter.
Install new filter using new hose clamps
- Drain fuel filter from inlet side into a container and inspect
drained fuel.
Checlc for rust, moisture and contamination.
I - I < If fuel filter is equipped with fuel pressure regulator:
I 2 / Remove vacuum hose (1)
Pull out locking clip (2).
- Remove fuel pressure regulator (3).
Install pressure regulator in new filter.
Clean thoroughly around the filler connections before
removing them.
After assembly, check filter connections carefully for
I
I lealcs before installing cover.
NOTE- ~-
Additional informarion about the fuel filler assembly is in 160
Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump.
Fuel tank and fuel lines, inspecting
lnspectthe fuel tank, fuel lines, and fuel system fordamage or
lealts. Checlc for fuel lealts in the engine compartment or fuel
odors in the passenger compartment. Check for any evapora-
tive emissions hoses that may have become disconnected,
checking carefully at charcoal canister and evaporative emis-
sions purge system. See
130 Fuel Injection and 160 Fuel
Tankand Fuel Pump for component locations and additional
information.
WARNING-
When checlcing for fuel leal(s, the engine must be cold. A hot
exhaust manifold or exhaust system could cause the fuel to
ignite or explode causing serious personal injury Ventilate
the work area and clean up spilled fuel immediately.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Maintenance
BODY AND INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Body and hinges, lubricating
Door locksand loclccylinderscan be lubricated with an oil that
contains graphite.
Body and doorhinges, hood latch and doorcheclc rods should
be lubricated with
SAE 30 or SAE 40 engine oil. Lubricate
seat runners with multipurposegrease. Do not apply any oil to
rubber parts.
If door weather-strips are sticking, lubricate
them with silicone spray or talcum powder. The hood release
cable should be lubricated as well.
The use of winter
lock deicer sprays should be lkept to an
absolute minimum, as the alcohol in the deicer will wash the
grease out of the lock assemblies and may cause locks to
corrode internally or to become difficult to operate.
Exterior washing
The longer dirt is left on the paint, the greater the risk of dam-
aging theglossy finish,
eitherby scratching or by thechemical
effect dirt particles may have on the painted surface.
Do not wash the car in direct sunlight. If the engine hood is
warm, allow it to cool. Beads of water not only leave spots
when dried rapidly by the sun or heat from theengine, but also
can act as small magnifying glasses and burn spots into the
finish. Wash the car with a mixture of lukewarm water and a
car wash product. Rinse using plenty of clear water. Wipe the
body dry with a sofl cloth towel or chamois to prevent
water-spotting.
Interior care
Dirt spots can usually be removed with lultewarm soapy water
or a dry foam cleaner. Use spot remover for grease and oil
spots. Do not pour the liquid directly on the carpet or fabric,
but dampen a clean cloth and rub carefully, starting at the
edge of the spot and working inward. Do not use gasoline,
naphtha, or other flammable substances.
Leather upholstery and trim
Leather upholstery and trim should be periodically cleaned
using a slightly damp cotton or wool cloth. The idea is to get
rid of the dirt in the creases and pores that can cause brittle-
ness and premature aging. On heavily soiled areas, use a
mild detergent (such as
wooliteQ) or other specially formulat-
ed leather cleaners. Dry the trim and upholstery completely

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
ing at the finish when it is wet. If the water coats the paint in
smooth sheets instead of forming beads that roll off, a new
coat of wax is needed. Waxshould not be applied to black trim
pieces, rubber, or other plastic parts.
Windshield wiper blade maintenance
Common problems with the windshield wipers include streak-
ing or sheeting, water drops afler wiping, and blade chatter.
Streaking is usually caused when wiper blades are coated
with road
film or car wash wax. Clean the blades using soapy
water.
If cleaning the blades does not cure the problem, they
should be replaced. BMW recommends replacing the wiper
I blades twice a year, before and after the cold season.
I
< To replace wiper blade, depress retaining tab (arrow) and
slide blade out of arm.
I - Checlc tension spring that forces wiper against glass. Re-
place wiper arm if spring tension is weak.
Drops that remain behind after wiping are caused by oil, road
film, or diesel exhaust coating the windshield. Use an alcohol
or ammonia solution or a nonabrasive cleanser to clean the
windshield.
Wiper blade chatier may be caused by dirty or worn blades,
by a dirty windshield, or by bent or twisted wiper arms. Clean
the blades and windshield as described above.
Adjusithe
wiper arm so that there is even pressure along the blade, and
so that the blade is perpendicularto the windshield at rest. Lu-
bricate the wiper linkage with a light oil. The
linkage is located
under the hood on the driver's side. If the problem persists,
the blades are excessively aged or worn and should be re-
placed. See
61 1 Wipers and Washers for more information.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
110-14
I Engine Removal and Installation
4 M52 TU, M54 engine: Separate oxygen sensor electrical har-
ness connectors
(arrows) and mounting clip (A) on right side
of engine.
CA UTIOW
Be sure to mark oxygen sensor connectors so that they can
be assembled correctly Do not interchange connectors.
4 Remove chassis ground strap (arrow) at right engine rnount-
ing pedestal.
4 Install an engine lifting device (BMW 11 0 000 or equivalent)
to the front and rear engine supports and raise engine until
its weight is supported. Detach left and right engine mounts.
- Carefully raise engine out of car, checking for any wiring, fuel
lines, or mechanical parts that might become snagged as en-
gine is removed.
-
. ..
- .- -
-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
11 3-2
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
This group covers cylinder head removal and installation as
well as cylinder
headlvalve diagnostic procedures.
In the procedures in this repair group, engines are referred to
by engine code. If necessary, see
100 Engine-General for
engine code and application information.
The information given in this repair group assumes that the
engine is installed in the engine bay. On the
6-cylinder en-
gines, the VANOS control unit must be removed in orderto re-
move the cylinder head from the engine block. On
M52TU
and M54 engines, camshafts must be removed from the cylin-
der head before the head is removed.
The cylinder head removal and installation procedures for the
M62 V-8 are also included, butthe proceduresforthe M62TU
V-8 with VANOS are not provided.
For cylinder head and valvetrain reconditioning information,
see
116 Cylinder Head and Valvetrain.
For specific repair procedures, refer to the appropriate repair
group:
020 Maintenance
116 Cylinder Head and Valvetrain
117 Camshaft Timing Chain
170 Radiator and Cooling System
610 Component locations
NOTE-
If a head gasket problem is suspected, a compression test or
leak-down test will usually detect the fault See Diagnostic
Testing later
in this group.
Special tools
Special BMW service tools are required to properly remove
and install the cylinder head on engines covered by this man-
ual. The special tools are used to time the valvetrain to the
crankshaft, and to remove the VANOS control unit, the cam-
shafts and the
Tom (El2) head bolts. Read the entire proce-
dure through before beginning the job.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
11 3-3
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Rotary angle torque dial gauge
(Tool No. BMW
11 2 250100 9 120)
4 El2 Torx socket for cylinder head bolts
(Tool No.
BMW 11 2 250)
4 Crankshaft loclting tool
(Tool No.
BMW 11 2 300)
4 Camshaft locking tool set, 6-cylinder
/I (Tool No, BMW 11 3 240)
< Timing chain adjustable tension setup tool, 6-cylinder
(Tool No.
BMW 11 4 220)
>
Double VANOS adiustment date
4 Secondary sprocket setup tool for double VANOS
(Tool No. BMW
11 6 180)