low oil pressure BMW 540i 2000 E39 User Guide

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Camshaft Timing Chain
1 VANOS I 4 When engine is started, camshafts are in deactivated
camshaft
retarded Engine I i oil supply
position:
. lntalte camshaft is held in RETARDED position by oil
pressure.
Exhaust camshaft is held in ADVANCED position by
preload spring and oil pressure.
VANOS
Piston out
ECM Piston in Within 2
- 5
seconds (50 engine revolutions), the ECM begins
monitoring and controlling camshaft positions.
The Double VANOS system allows full variability of camshaft
timing up to the limits of the system. When the ECM detects
that the camshafts are in optimum position, the solenoids are
modulated at approximately 100
- 220 Hz to maintain oil pres-
sure on both sides of the actuator pistons to maintain timing.
In models with DME
MS 43.0 (model year2001 and newer),
the engine control module (ECM) detects camshaft position
before the engine starts, thereby adjusting camshaft timing
immediately upon start-up.
NOTE-
. VANOS system troubleshooting and diagnostics is best
accomplished using a scan tool.
. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) pertaining to the
VANOS system are listed
in the following table. See also
OED On-Board Diagnostics.
Elevated oil temperatures can cause VANOS to deactivate.
Oil that is too thick (high viscosity) may cause
a DTC to be
set
in the ECM. If VANOS is deactivated (limp-home
mode), there will be a noticeable loss of power.
VANOS fault codes
BMW code P-code Fault description
19
PI529 VANOS solenoid valve activation,
exhaust
21
PI525 VANOS solenoid valve activation,
intake
103
PI519 VANOS faulty reference value
intake
104
PI520 VANOS faulty reference value
exhaust
105
PI522 VANOS stuck (Bank I) intake
106
PI523 VANOS stuck (Bank 2) exhaust

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11 9 Lubrication System
General ............................ 11 9-2
Special tools
......................... 11 9-2
..................... Engine lubrication 11 9-3
Troubleshooting .................... 11 9-3
................. Oil pressure. checking 11 9-4
...... Oil pressure warning system. testing 11 9-5
Crankshaft Rear Main Seal ......... .I1 9-6
Crankshaft rear main seal.
replacing (6-cylinder)
.................. 11 9-6
Crankshaft rear main seal. replacing (V-8)
. . 11 9-8
Engine Oil Pan .................... .I1 9-10
Oil pan. removing and
................. installing (6-cylinder) .I1 9-10
Lower oil pan. removing and
installing (V-8)
....................... 1 19-1 3
Upper oil pan. removing and
installing (V-8)
....................... 11 9-1 5
.......... Component Replacement 11 9-20
Oil pressure warning switch. replacing
.................. (6-cylinder and V-8) 11 9-20
Oil level warning switch. replacing
.................. (6-cylinder and V-8) 11 9-21
Oil pump. removing and
................. installing (6-cylinder) 11 9-22
Oil pump. removing and installing (V-8)
. . 11 9-24
..... Oil pressure relief valve (6-cylinder) 119-26
.......... Oil pressure
relief valve (V-8) 11 9-27

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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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-- . - .. . - 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.

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.
[Lubrication System
< Disconnect electrical harness connector (arrow) at oil level
sensor.
< Remove lower oil pan mounting bolts (arrows)
CAUTIOI\C
If the lowerpan does not separate easily from upperpan, a
few taps with a rubber mallet should break it free. Do
notpry
the oil pan loose.
- When installing oil pan:
Thoroughly clean all old
gasltet material from mating sur-
faces and use a new gasket.
4 Install threaded guide studs at locations marked by arrows
to guide new oil pan
gasltet and oil pan into position and to
prevent damage to sealing lip.
- Install new oil pan mounting bolts (threads coated with
sealer).
Remove guide studs and install remainder of oil pan bolts.
- Remainder of reassembly is reverse of disassembly
- 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).
Tightening torques Lower oil pan to upper
oil pan
M6 (8.8 grade) 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
M6 (10.9 grade) 12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
M8 (8.8 grade) 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Oil drain plug to oil pan (M12) 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)

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Lubr~cat~on System r- -
Working at lower rear of engine, remove oil pan retaining
bolts
(arrows).
- If necessary, remove oil cooler bracket from oil pan.
- Remove remaining oil pan bolts. Slide upper section of oil
pan forward to remove.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Clean sealing surfaces of debris.
- Coat joints with Three Bond 1209 O sealant.
Use new gaskets.
Install all oil pan bolts first, installing bolts at transmission
end without preload.
Tighten oil pan bolts at front end, then tighten bolts at rear
of engine.
Be sure to reinstall all oil
pump fasteners, including the
sprocl - 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).
Tightening torques
AIC drive belt tensloner
M6 10 Nm (7.5 it-lb)
M8 24 Nm (18 ft-lb)
Front axle
subframe to chassis
(Use new fasteners) 77 Nm (57 ft-lb)
Oil drain
line to upper oil pan 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)
Oil pump to crankcase 34 Nm (25 ft-lb)
Oil pan fasteners
(upperllower)
M6 8.8 10 Nm (7.5 ft-lb)
M6 10.9 (replace)
I2 Nm (9 ft-lb)
M8 8.8 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Steering column universal joint to
steering box (replace) 19 Nm (14 ft-lb)
Oil pressure warning switch, replacing
(&cylinder and V-8)
- In all models, the oil pressure warning switch is located at the
base of the oil filter housing.