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 a state and replacement of hoses of a motive compartment

Replacement of hoses of the air conditioning system has to be made at car repair shop of representative office or in a specialized workshop where there is an equipment for safe dumping of pressure in system. Never disconnect hoses of system and do not remove its components, previously without having dumped pressure.

General information

1 Influence of high temperatures in a motive compartment leads to gradual failure of the rubber and plastic hoses used in various systems. It is regularly necessary to make check of hoses on existence of cracks, weakening of fastening of collars, hardening of materials and signs of leaks.
2 Information relating to cooling system hoses is given below in this Section, and to hoses of the brake system - in the Section of Check of the brake system.
3 The majority of hoses (but not all) fasten by means of collars. Where collars are used, check reliability of their fastening providing lack of leaks. If collars are not used, make sure that the hose in a junction with the union was not inflated and/or did not harden, allowing leaks.

Vacuum hoses

4 Usually vacuum hoses which are especially applied in systems of decrease in toxicity of the fulfilled gases have color marking or inserts from color strips.

Various systems demand use of hoses with various thickness of walls, thermal stability and various resistance to a collapse. When replacing hoses you watch that material of a new hose corresponded to material of old.
5 Often only reliable way of check of a condition of a hose is its full removal from the car. At removal more than one hose take care of accurate marking of hoses and unions to provide the correct assembly.
6 When checking vacuum hoses do not forget to check T-shaped plastic connections also. Examine them on existence of cracks which can cause leaks.
7 For identification of leak of vacuum it is possible to use a small piece of a vacuum hose as a stethoscope. Press one end of a hose to an ear and listen another to all vacuum hoses and connections on existence of the characteristic hissing demonstrating vacuum leak.

Using a similar stethoscope, be careful, do not allow contact with moving components in a motive compartment, such as driving belt, cooling fan, etc.


Fuel hoses

At survey or service of components of fuel system it is necessary to observe certain precautionary measures. You perform all works in well aired room, do not allow approach of naked flame (for example, the lit cigarettes) or the bulbs unprotected by the lamp shade to the venue of works. Immediately collect the spilled fuel by rags which put then to the place where its spontaneous ignition is impossible. At hit of fuel on skin immediately wash away it a plentiful amount of water with soap. At work with fuel system it is necessary to use goggles and always to have near at hand the fire extinguisher.


8 Fuel hoses usually are under pressure therefore at their detachment be ready that fuel will be sprayed and he needs to be collected.

On the cars equipped with system of injection of fuel before serving fuel hoses, it is necessary to dump pressure in system.


9 Check all rubber fuel hoses for existence of signs of wear and attritions. Pay special attention to sites of a bend and in front of unions, for example a hose junction with the fuel pump or the filter, cracks can be formed there.
10 Use only high-quality fuel hoses. Never, under no circumstances use as fuel not reinforced vacuum hoses, transparent plastic tubes or water hoses.
11 For fastening of fuel hoses collars of tape type are usually used. These collars weaken a tension over time and can "jump out" at removal. When replacing hoses replace such collars with collars of screw type.

Metal lines

12 Between the fuel pump and system of injection of fuel sections of metal tubes are often inserted. Carefully check these tubes for existence of dents, twisting or cracks.
13 If the section of the metal line needs to be replaced, use only seamless steel tubes since copper and aluminum tubes are insufficiently strong to resist to the vibrations caused by operation of the engine.
14 Check metal brake lines in places of their connection with the main cylinder and with the regulator of pressure or ABS (if it is available) for existence of cracks or the weakened nipple connections. Any signs of leak of brake fluid demand immediate careful survey of all brake system.

Hoses of system of hydrostrengthening of a wheel

15 Check hoses of system of hydrostrengthening of a wheel for existence of signs of leak of liquid, the weakened nipple connections and worn-out collars. The proceeding hoses and worn-out collars should be replaced.

Cooling system hoses

Leaks in the cooling system usually are found on white or colors of a rust to a raid in the area adjoining leak.

Carefully check a radiator and hoses of cooling liquid on all length. Replace hoses with cracks, gaps and signs of aging. It is easier to find cracks if to press a hose. Pay special attention to collars which attach hoses to cooling system elements. Collars of fastening of a hose which were strongly tightened can cause a gap or a puncture of a hose, leaks in the cooling system will be result of what. Examine all hoses and the surfaces of connection of hoses regarding leaks. If any problems of similar character with leaks are found, then replace this component or laying.


Detection of places of leaks

Precisely it is difficult to define fuel leak until leak becomes essential and, therefore, easily visible. Fuel tends to evaporate quickly as soon as it contacts with air, especially in a hot motive compartment. Small drops can disappear before you are able to define the place of leak. If you suspect that leak of fuel in the field of a motive compartment takes place, then cool the engine and start it, it cold, at an open cowl so far. Metal objects contract when cooling, and rubber hoses tend to be weakened so any leaks will be more obvious while the engine heats up at start from a cold state.

If there are signs that there is a leak of any liquid, but you cannot distinguish type of liquid or an exact origin, then it is necessary to leave the car for long time and to put a big piece of paper or a rag under the car. It will help to find the place of course of liquid, and also will help to identify liquid on color. But keep in mind that some leaks can be shown only at the working engine.

Leak in a vacuum hose means that air is sucked in in a hose (but does not leave a hose), and it does leak very difficult for detection. The method of detection consists in using an old vacuum hose as some kind of stethoscope. You keep one end of a hose close to an ear (but not in fish soup), and use other end to explore the area around alleged leak. When the end of a hose directly is over the place of leak, the hissing sound will be clearly heard through a hose. It is necessary to avoid contact with hot and moving details as the engine when checking has to work.