oil dipstick BMW 540i 1997 E39 Workshop Manual

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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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4 If oil level is low, add oil by removing oil filler cap (arrow) on
top of cylinder head
(6-cylinder oil cap shown, V-8 is sirnilar).
- Add only amount needed to bring oil level to upper mark on
dipstick, using an oil of correct viscosity and grade.
Engine oil and filter, changing
A complete oil change requires new oil, a new filter insert kit,
and a new drain plug sealing washer. The tools needed, a
17
mm drain plug socket or box wrench, a 36 mm socket or
wrench, and a drain pan (8
- 10 US qt. capacity), are de-
scribed in
010 General.
NOTE-
If using a "fast 1ube"service facility for oil changes, make sure
the technician hand-starts and torques the engine oil drain
plug using hand-tools. Power tools can strip the threads of
the plug and the oil pan.
Run engine for afew minutes to warm engine oil. Shut engine
off.
With car on level ground, place drain pan under oil drain plug.
Using a
36 mm socket, loosen and remove oil filter housing
cover (arrow). Remove filter cartridge and discard any
0-
rings (V-8 engine oil filter housing shown, 6-cylinder oil filter
housing is sirnilar).
Using a socket or box wrench, loosen drain plug at oil drain
pan. Remove plug by hand and let oil drain into pan
(V-8 en-
gine oil drain plug shown, 6-cylinder drain plug is similar).
WARNING -
Pull the loose plug away from the hole quicldy to avoid being
scalded by hot oil. It will run out
quiclcly when the plug is re-

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020-1 4
Maintenance
- When oil flow has diminished to an occasional drip, reinstall
drain plug with a new metal sealing washer and torque plug.
Tightening torque Engine oil drain plug to oil pan
25 Nrn (1.8 ft-lb)
6-cylinder oil filter assembly
r------ 1
< Working at oil filter housing (1):
Lubricate and install new oil filter O-rings (3, 4).
Install a new filter cartridge (5).
lnstall and tighten housing cover (2).
6-cylinder oil filter assembly shown, V-8 is similar.
Tightening torque Cover to oil filter housing
25 Nm (1.8 it-lb)
- Refill crankcase with oil. Approximate oil capacity is listed in
Tabled. Engine oil with filter change. Use dipstick to
check correct oil level.
- Start engine and check that oil pressure warning light
immediately goes out.
- Allow engine to run fora few minutes to circulate new oil, then
check for leaks at drain plug and oil filter. Stop engine and re-
check oil level
The section describes other routine maintenance done in the
engine compartment. Information on engine oil service is
giv-
enkar~ier inthis group.
For these procedures, it is not necessary for the car to be
raised and supported off the ground.
Accelerator and linkage
The accelerator and linkage at the throttle housing should be
lubricated periodically. Use ageneral purposeoil on the joints
and bearings of the linkage. Use a multipurpose grease on
the bearing points of the throttle plate.
Air filter, replacing
The specified replacement intervals forthe air filter are based
on normal use. If the car is operated primarily in dusty
conditions, the air filter should be serviced more frequently.

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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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Engine Removal and lnstallationl
M52 TU, M54 engine: Disconnect electrical harness connec-
tor at fuel tank venting valve
(A). Disconnect vent hose at fit-
ting (arrow).
- Working under intake manifold, disconnect the following:
Engine oil dipstick tube support.
Oil separator return line from
dipsticlc tube.
Intake air temperature sensorelectrical harness connector
(underside of intake manifold near throttle body).
M52 TU, M54 engine: Resonance valve electrical harness
connector.
M52 engine: Fuel tank vent line and harness.
< Working underneath car, remove lower intalte manifold sup-
port mounting bolts (arrows).
4 M52 TU. M54 engine: Remove fuel rail mounting bolts
(arrows):
Carefully pry fuel rail off manifold.
Separate fuel line support bracket at rear of intake
manifold.
NOTE-
* M52 TU engine shown. M54 engine is similar.
M52 engine: Fuel rail is removed with intalte manifold.

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..
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation 1
< Remove intake throttle valve and ASC throttle assemblies:
Disconnect ASC throttle cable
(A).
- Remove ASC throttle housing mounting fasteners (B).
NOTE-
It is not necessary to disconnect coolant hoses (C) 01
bowden cables (D).
Remove intake throttle housing mounting hardware, pull
throttle housing off
intake manifold, and set aside.
- Working under intake manifold, disconnect the following:
Engine oil dipstick tube support.
Oil separator return line from dipstick tube.
Intake air temperature sensor electrical harness connector
(underside of intake manifold near throttle body).
* Fuel tank vent line and electrical harness at canister vent
valve.
Remove lower intake manifold supports (arrows).
- Disconnect coolant line retaining bracket at cylinder block.
4 Remove manifold mounting hardware (arrows).
- Remove intake manifold from cylinder head while carefully
checking for electrical connections or hoses.
NOTE-
Fuel rail is removed with intake manifold,
CAUTIOI\C
Stuff clean rags into open intake ports to prevent any parts
from falling into
Nie engine intake.
- Drain cooling system (engine block and radiator), then re-
move radiator cooling fan and fan shroud. See
170 Radiator
and Cooling System.
- Disconnect coolant hoses from thermostat housing.

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. - --
j Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
4 Working at throttle housing, unscrew and disconnect electri-
cal harness plug
(arrow).
4 Disconnect electrical harness connector at fuel tank venting
valve
(A) and vent hose at quick disconnect fitting (arrow).
- Working under intake manifold, disconnect the following:
Engine oil dipstick tube support.
Oil separator return line from dipstick tube.
Knock sensor harness connector from support.
4 Working underneath car, remove intake manifold support
mounting nut
(arrow), located adjacent to left engine mount.

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I Camshaft Timins Chain
4 Using special tool 11 2 450, rotate engine clocltwise to TDC
with number one cylinder cam lobes facing each other (ar-
rows)
as shown.
4 Lock crankshaft in TDC position with BMW special tool 11 3
200 (arrow).
- Remove BMW special tool 11 2 450 and remove hub.
- Remove upper engine oil pan. See 119 Lubrication.
- Remove alternator. See 121 Battery, Starter, Alternator.
- Remove retaining bolt for oil dipstick tube from upper timing
chain cover on right side.
- Remove camshaft position sensor from right upper timing
chain cover.
< Remove right upper timing chain cover:
Remove chain tensioner
(A).
CAUTIOG
Tensioner is under spring tension. Release slowly. 1
Release fasteners (arrows) and remove cover

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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]
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal.
Replace self-locking nuts when reinstalling front suspen-
sion components.
Use new oil dipstick tube sealing O-ring.
After adding engine oil, start and run engine. Raise engine
speed to 2,500 rpm until oil pressure warning light goes out
(about 5 seconds).
NOTE-
BMW does not specify a front end alignment following this
procedure.
Tightening torques Front subfrarne to body rail
(M12, use new bolts)
8.8 grade
10.9 grade
12.9 grade 77 Nrn
(57 ft-lb)
105 Nrn (77 ft-lb)
110 Nrn (81 ft-lb)
Stabilizer bar link to stabilizer bar
65 Nrn (48 ft-lb)
Steering shaft universal joint clamping bolt
(use new bolt)
19 Nrn (14 it-lb)
Lower oil pan, removing and installing (V-8)
- The V-8 engine is equipped with a 2-piece oil pan. The fas-
teners in
V-8 engine oil pump assembly, including the
sprocket retaining nut, are known to loosen and fall off into
the oil pan. Be sure to install these fasteners with Loctite
O
or equivalent thread locking product and torque to specifica-
tions.
CAUTION-
It is recommended that the oil pump retaining bolts and oil
pump drive sprocket retaining nut tightening torque be
checkedany time the
oilpan is removed.
- Raise car and place securely on jack stands.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
- Remove splash shield from under engine.
- Drain engine oil
- On cars with automatic transmission, remove ATF cooler line
brackets from oil pan.