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
   Introduction
   Current leaving
   General information on control
   Check of levels of liquids
   Check of a condition of tires and pressure in them. Designation of tires and disks of wheels
   Replacement of motive oil and oil filter
   Replacement of the filtering element of the air filter
   Checks of the brake system
   Replacement of an element of the filter of air of salon
   Check of a condition of driving ridge belts
   Check of a state and replacement of hoses of a motive compartment
   Check of functioning of the cooling system and frost resistance of cooling liquid
   Check of a condition of system of production of the fulfilled gases
   Check of level of oil in a manual box of gear shifting
   Check of a condition of components of a suspension bracket and steering
   Check of a condition of protective covers of power shafts
   Check of level of liquid of system of hydrostrengthening of a wheel
   Visual check of a body and its bottom
   Check of seat belts
   Rotation and replacement of wheels
   Check of a state, replacement of brushes and adjustment of a corner of screen wipers
   Check of a condition of the battery, care of it and charging
   Replacement of brake fluid
   Check and replacement of spark plugs
   Check of fuel system, replacement of the fuel filter. Operation of diesel model in the conditions of winter
   Greasing of loops and locks of doors
   Replacement of the battery of a key of remote control
+ 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
+ Onboard electric equipment
+ Schemes of electric equipment



Check of levels of liquids

Below the procedures of check of level of liquid made through each 400 km of a run or weekly are described. The description of other checks of levels of liquid can be found further in the Sections devoted to specific procedures of service. Irrespective of check intervals according to the schedule do not assume that liquid followed under the car, such leaks indicate malfunction which should be eliminated immediately.


 CHECK

 

1 Liquids are the integral component of lubrication systems, coolings, brake and systems of washing of a windshield. In view of a gradual consumption and/or pollution of liquids in the course of normal operation of the car, they should be replaced periodically. Study the Section "Types and Volumes of the Applied Lubricants and Liquids" in Specifications before starting a liquid dolivaniye in any of the listed components.

At any check of level of liquid the car has to stand on a plain surface.

Motive oil

2 Check of level of motive oil is made by means of the measuring probe located on one side the engine (address the illustrations of a motive compartment given in this Chapter for definition of its location). The probe passes through a metal tube down, reaching an engine case pallet bottom.
3 Measurement of level of motive oil is performed before start of the engine or not less than in 15 min. after its switching off.

If to start measurement of level of motive oil right after switching off of the engine, a part of oil will remain in the top part of the engine that will significantly affect the accuracy of indications of the probe.

4 Take the probe and dry wipe its edge with pure rags or a paper towel. Enter the probe up to the end back and again take it. Height of the site of an edge moistened with oil will correspond to oil level in the engine. This level has to be between two tags on the probe.

5 Rise in level of oil from the minimum tag on the probe to maximum requires one liter of oil. Do not allow falling of level below the minimum tag since oil starvation can lead to damage of the engine. On the other hand, overflow of the engine oil (the dolivaniye is higher than the maximum mark) can be the reason of oiling of spark plugs, leak of oil or failure of epiploons.

6 To add oils, unscrew a cover of the mouth located on a cover of a head of cylinders. After a dolivaniye of oil wait several minutes that the level of oil was stabilized, then pull out the probe and again check level. If it is required, add still oils. Close a cover of a mouth and tighten it a hand.

7 Check of level of oil is the important preventive procedure. The engine should not consume more than 0.7 l of oil on 1.000 km of a run. Continuous falling of level of oil indicates or existence of its leaks through the damaged epiploons or the weakened connections, or its burning out (internal leaks through worn-out piston rings or via the directing plugs of valves). Besides, it is necessary to pay attention and to a condition of the oil. If oil has dairy color or in its structure it is possible to notice water drops, it indicates possible violation of tightness of laying of a head of cylinders or existence of a crack in a head or the block of cylinders. In this case the engine should be repaired immediately. Run every time at measurement of level of oil before rubbing of an edge of the probe over it big and index hand fingers. If at the same time the particles of dirt or metal particles which stuck to the probe are found, oil should be replaced (address the Section Replacement of Motive Oil and Oil Filter).

Engine cooler

Do not allow hit of antifreeze on your skin or on the painted surfaces of the car. If all this occurred, immediately wash away antifreeze a plentiful amount of water. Antifreeze is extremely toxic in a case hit in an organism. Never leave it unguarded in an open container or spilled on a floor; children or animals its sweet smell can attract and they can drink it. Agree with local authorities about destruction of the used antifreeze.

8 All cars considered in this manual are equipped with the cooling system with the excessive pressure of compensation type. The broad tank (or the cooler tank) is located in a motive compartment and connected to a radiator. In process of an engine warming up in the course of its work the extending cooler fills a tank. When cooling the engine the cooler automatically comes back to the cooling system that provides maintenance of constant value of its level.

9 Check of level of a cooler has to be made regularly. Turn off a stopper on a broad tank. Liquid level normal if on the cold engine (temperature of cooling liquid of +20 °C) the upper edge of a red float is at one height with edge a branch pipe for filling. If the level of liquid lies below, it is necessary to add liquid. It is necessary to add cooling liquid only on the cold engine to exclude its damage.

Do not uncover a jellied mouth of a broad tank or a radiator cover for check of level of a cooler before full cooling of the engine! Level in the tank fluctuates depending on engine temperature.

10 Banish the car and again measure cooler level. If to the necessary level it is required to add only a small amount of a cooler, then for this purpose it is possible to use clear water. However frequent additions of water will dilute antifreeze. To provide a normal ratio of antifreeze and water, always add to the necessary level the required mix.
11 If the level of a cooler falls regularly, then in system leak existence is possible. Examine a radiator, hoses, a cover of a mouth, a stopper of discharge and the water pump. If no leaks are revealed, make check of tightness of a cover of a broad tank and a radiator on HUNDRED BMWs.
12 If you need to uncover, wait until the engine completely cools down, then wrap up a piece of thick rags around a cover and turn off it to the first emphasis. If at the same time from under a cover steam or a cooler begins to escape, let's the engine cool down a little more, and only then uncover.
13 It is necessary to check a condition of a cooler also. It has to be rather pure. If liquid has brown or rusty color, it is necessary to merge, wash out it system and to fill it with new mix. Even if the cooler looks normally, the corrosion inhibitors which are its part lose over time the efficiency therefore it should be replaced through certain periods.

14 For check of frost resistance of cooling liquid it is necessary to use the areometer (address also the Section Check of Functioning of the Cooling System and Frost Resistance of Cooling Liquid). Gather cooling liquid by means of a pear and read the instrument of a float. For ensuring frost resistance up to the temperature of -35 °C the volume ratio of water and antifreeze makes 1: 1. If necessary add antifreeze according to Specifications.

15 Close a stopper of a broad tank and having made a trial trip again check concentration of antifreeze.

Excessively high concentration of antifreeze leads to decrease in effect of protective action and the cooling properties of liquid. It is shown at concentration of antifreeze about 60%.

Brake fluid and liquid of coupling

Lowering of the level of brake fluid below the mark MIN is displayed to the driver on the control panel. Nevertheless, it is recommended to examine the tank regularly.

Brake fluid can do harm to your eyes and damage the painted surfaces of the car therefore be extremely careful at the treatment of her. Do not use brake fluid which long time stood open, or which there are more than one year. Brake fluid has property to absorb moisture from air that can lead to dangerous loss of efficiency of the brake system. Use only the recommended type of brake fluid. Mixing of various types of liquid (such as DOT 3 or 4 and DOT 5) can lead to failure of the brake system.

16 The main cylinder of the brake system is installed in a back left corner of a motive compartment.

17 Level of liquid is checked visually, on tags on the plastic tank installed on the main cylinder. Level of liquid has to be between tags of "MAX" and "MIN". If level is lower admissible, at first wipe top of the tank and a cover with pure rags to prevent hit of dirt in system after removal of a cover. Add to the necessary level the recommended liquid, but do not pour.
18 Until the tank is uncovered, check liquid and the tank of the main cylinder for existence of pollution. If at it there are particles of a rust, dirt or a drop of water, liquid from system should be merged and filled in new.
19 After addition of the tank to the necessary level make sure that the cover is established exactly, in order to avoid leak of liquid and/or hit of dirt.
20 Liquid level in the main cylinder will fall slightly as a result of wear of frictional overlays of brake shoes. There is no need to add it until level remains near a tag of "MIN"; it will rise after replacement of slips. Very low level can indicate wear of brake shoes. Check them for wear existence (address the Section Greasing of Loops and Locks of Doors).
21 If the level of brake fluid constantly falls, immediately check all system for existence of leaks. Survey brake lines, hoses and nipple connections, together with supports, wheel cylinders and the main cylinder (address the Section of Check of the brake system).

22 If when checking level of liquid the tank is empty or almost empty, the brake system or system of coupling has to be checked for existence of leaks and is pumped over).

Windshield washer liquid

23 Liquid for washing of a windshield is in the plastic tank on the right side of a motive compartment. Capacity of the tank is specified in Specifications.
24 In areas with a temperate climate the system can be filled with usual water, but it is recommended to add to water means for washing of glasses with solvent of wax preservatives. The tank has to be filled no more, than on two thirds that there was a free space on a case of expansion of water when freezing. In areas with cold climatic conditions it is necessary to use the special antifreeze for system of washing of a windshield reducing a liquid freezing point which can be got in any shop of automobile accessories. Usually it is on sale in the concentrated or ready look. If you bought the concentrated antifreeze, mix it with water according to the instruction of the producer on packing.

Do not use cooling system antifreeze - it will damage the painted surfaces of the car.

Power steering liquid

25 Concerning check of level of liquid of the hydraulic booster address the Section Check of Level of Liquid of System of Hydrostrengthening of a Wheel.