BMW 3 Series E46

since 1998 release

Repair and operation of the car


BMW 3 Series E46
+ BMW 3 cars (E46)
+ Current leaving and service
+ Engine
+ Cooling systems, heating
+ Power supply systems, injection and release
+ Engine electric equipment
+ RKPP and transmission line
+ Automatic transmission
+ Coupling and power shafts
+ Brake system
+ Suspension bracket and steering
- Body
   General information and security measures
   + Leaving and repair of damages of a body
   + External elements of a body
   + Internal elements of a body
+ Onboard electric equipment
+ Schemes of electric equipment


General information and security measures

 

The BMW 3 cars have the "universal and body" scheme where the floor panel with forward and back side beams (longerons) of a frame playing a role of carriers of other details of a body of the car, forward and back suspension brackets and other mechanical components is used. Some of components are especially vulnerable at accidents and there can be otbolchena and are repaired or replaced. The cowl, a trunk lid, doors and forward wings concern to them. Forward and back glasses are pasted.

This Chapter included descriptions only of procedures of the general care of a body of the car and restoration and repair of the body panels lying within qualification of the average amateur mechanic.

Many of the elements of a design stated above are fixed by so-called Torx screws which otvorachivaniye requires the special screw-driver.
If any works with the internal equipment are carried out, it is necessary to observe the following instructions:

If at work with the internal equipment also any works with electric equipment are performed, surely disconnect a negative cable (-) of the rechargeable battery. For this purpose study instructions in the Section Removal and installation of the rechargeable battery. As works with electric equipment it is also necessary to consider shutdown or a detachment of any electric wire.

- It is recommended to apply a plastic wedge to removal of plastic facing and peaks, for example, of HAZET 196555-20.
- The clips damaged at facing removal surely are replaced.
- Seats, belts and safety cushions are elements, important from the point of view of safety. It is necessary to carry out only the works described in the head. Other works are recommended to be carried out on HUNDRED.


Security measures when performing body works

Welding or the soldering by soft or solid solders, filled with a working body of elements of air conditioning system is not allowed or if there is a danger of their heating.

It is not necessary to open a contour of cooling of the conditioner as hit of liquid on skin can cause a frostbite.

At casual hit of liquid on skin immediately wash out the place of defeat by cold water within not less than 15 min. Liquid of the conditioner has no color and a smell heavier than air. At leak of cooling liquid there is a danger of poisoning in the lower part of the car (availability of liquid is not felt).

The PVC bottom sheeting in the place of welding needs to be smoothed out a wire brush and, heating by hot air up to the temperature of +180 °C, to remove the pallet.

When heating a covering of PVC over +180 °C are formed the hydrochloric acid making strong corrosive attack. Besides, couples, unhealthy the person are formed.


Body elements, prostrate the strengthened corrosion, are galvanized. Not to a soshlifovyvayta a zinc covering before welding (it is allowed to remove a covering only at the soldering solid solders). At the same time welding current should be increased by 10%.

When welding galvanized sheets zinc oxides are formed. Security measures demand good ventilation of the area of carrying out welding.


When carrying out repair of a paint and varnish covering it is allowed to heat the car in the special furnace to temperature not above +80 °C. Otherwise there is a danger of damage of electronic devices.

When carrying out welding works on the car with the installed monitors it is necessary to observe the following:

Disconnect a negative cable (-) of the rechargeable battery at the switched-off ignition. The battery is in a luggage compartment behind a cover on the right side. At the BMW 316i, 318i cars the battery settles down in a motive compartment.

As a result of shutdown of the rechargeable battery data from memory of malfunctions of some monitors are erased. If necessary before shutdown of the battery it is necessary to consider these memories of malfunctions. Address the Section Diagnostics of Malfunctions. Work it is desirable to carry out HUNDRED in conditions.


Isolate a negative pole (-) of the rechargeable battery to exclude a possibility of casual contact.

If near the rechargeable battery the welding works or other works connected with formation of sparks are performed it is necessary to remove the battery surely.
When carrying out welding works the plug of the welding machine has to be placed perhaps closer to the place of welding and has to be well connected to a body, the maximum distance of 1 m.

Use of accession of mass of the car with the fixed wires as accession of weight for the welding machine is not allowed. If necessary previously disconnect wires and protect a weight bolt carving a nut.

At cars with the navigation system after completion of welding works it is necessary to calibrate anew the probe of magnetic field of navigation (work HUNDRED).

On the elements of a design of the car which are exposed to special impact of corrosion galvanized sheets are established. Before welding it is not necessary to remove a zinc layer. He acts only before the soldering solid solder. Current at the same time needs to be increased by 10%.

Lifting operation and installations of the car on supports is connected with danger! Therefore before carrying out operation study Poddomkrachivaniye's Section and towage


Body gaps

At installation of elements of a body it is necessary to observe the established gaps. Otherwise there is, for example, a gnash when closing a door or the increased noise of wind during the movement. The gap has to have constant width on a contour of a prileganiye of details. The deviation should not exceed 1 mm.

Performance of the following condition is obligatory. Surfaces adjoining to each other elements have to be parallel. Shift inside on 1 mm of the elements located closer to a back part of the car in relation to elements, located ahead of a body is admissible.

For example: The forward edge of a back door can settle down 1 mm more deeply, than a back edge of a forward door.
The required values of gaps are given in Specifications.