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



Replacement of brake fluid

It will be necessary for carrying out work for you:

- A cap key for the union of removal of air. For example, HAZET 1968-7.
- A transparent plastic hose with an internal diameter of 6 mm and capacity for collecting brake fluid.
- About 1.0 l of brake fluid.

Use of brake fluid of the DOT 5 specification is not allowed. It is not necessary to fill in the liquid which was in the use in system.

Follow rules of the treatment of brake fluid, address the Section Brake fluid - the main data and security measures.

Protect the environment, do not pour out the fulfilled oil at all and do not delete it together with household waste. Local authorities have to inform on the locations of the nearest collection points for the fulfilled materials.


Brake fluid through a time of brake hoses, and also air vents of the tank of liquid absorbs moisture. Thereof in use there is a decrease in temperature of boiling of brake fluid. At considerable load of brakes it can lead to formation of vials of steam in brake pipelines that reduces efficiency of action of brakes. Therefore it is necessary to replace brake fluid each 2 years.

1 Follow the rules of the treatment of brake fluid stated in the Section Brake fluid - the main data and security measures.

On HUNDRED air from a hydraulic system of brakes, as a rule, is removed by means of the special device. The device gives brake fluid to the tank under pressure of 2.0 bars. It is possible to perform this operation and without use of the special tool. In this case air from the brake system is removed the kachatelny movements of a pedal of a brake. Operation is carried out by means of the assistant.

If air got into the ABS hydroblock, it is recommended to remove it on HUNDRED. It takes place with leakage of the hydroblock or in case of depletion of one camera of the tank of brake fluid or if during removal of air from system forgot to add liquid.


2 Note liquid level on the tank. After replacement of liquid restore the previous level of liquid. Thus, the tank modulation is excluded by liquid when replacing brake shoes.
3 Suck away liquid from the tank to the level of 10 mm.

Do not empty completely the tank that air did not get to the brake system.


4 Fill the tank with fresh brake fluid to the mark MAX.

Carefully open unions for removal of air so that not to turn out them. It is recommended to spray unions approximately in two hours before opening by rust solvent. If any union does not turn away, it is necessary to address on HUNDRED.


Sequence of removal of air

1. The support is back right.
2. The support is back left.
3. The support is forward right.
4. The support is forward left.

5 Put on a pure hose the union of the right back brake cylinder and substitute the corresponding capacity.
6 Ask the assistant to press slowly a brake pedal so that to feel resistance.

7 Holding a brake pedal in the pressed state, unscrew the union a cap key-1-on the right back support. Close the union when the pedal concerns a floor. Ask the assistant to release a pedal.


8 Repeat the described procedure it is so much times how many it is necessary in order that the coming-out liquid did not contain bubbles. Fresh liquid is recognized by light color.
9 Slightly tighten the union. The moment of an inhaling depends on diameter of a carving: the union with a diameter of 7 mm drags on the moment of 5 N • m, moment of 15 N with a diameter of 11 mm • m.
10 Similarly, in the order stated above, pump out brake fluid from other supports.

In the course of removal of air add liquid in the tank. It should not be emptied completely. Otherwise air gets to system.


11 After replacement of brake fluid press a pedal of a brake and check its free wheeling. It should not exceed 1/3 general courses of a pedal.
12 Cars with RKPP: As the drive of coupling uses brake fluid, replacement of liquid in a hydraulic system of coupling is made by the way described above.
13 Before replacement of brake fluid fill it in the tank to noted level.
14 Screw a cover on the tank.

carry out safety control:

- Whether brake hoses are fixed?
- Whether the brake hose is fixed in the holder?
- Whether unions for removal of air are tightened?
- Whether enough brake fluid is filled in?
- On the working engine check tightness. For this purpose press a brake pedal by effort of 200 - 300 N (20 – 30 kg) during 10 pages. The pedal should not weaken. Check all accessions for tightness.


15 In conclusion slow down several times on the road with rare traffic. At the same time at least once execute full braking at which ABS, in particular, on soil works. Work of ABS is felt on brake pedal pulsations.

At the same time you watch closely the transport following you.