E46 essential maintenance (great thread on E46F w/ lots of part numbers)

[webster]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=923563

saw this today. great thread for recently purchased E46s. here's the post:

Just bought your E46?

You just bought your non-M E46 (323/328, 325/330) and you are probably wondering: What do I do now?
Lets start with the basics, shall we?

Engine oil

Change your engine oil and filter anywhere between 7,500 and 12,000 miles. You can likely go up to 15,000 miles without any problems as our cars hold 7 quarts, however for peace of mind, follow the 7,500-12,000 guideline.

Per the BMW owner's manual, you should check the oil level 5 minutes after a hot engine has been shut down. The dipstick is calibrated to read accurately after 5 minutes has passed.

You should be using oil with a specification ACEA B3/B4 (extended drain/high performance criteria) and/or LL-01. The following oils are the most readily available proper oil for your car:

Genuine BMW 5W-30
Castrol European Formula 0W-30
Mobil 1 European Formula 0W-40
Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40 European Formula

Oil Filters

You can use any OE-spec parts store filter in a pinch, but I recommend using Mahle or Mann OE-quality/OEM filters.

Mahle supplies filters to BMWs for their ///M cars. Mann supplies for non-M. Both are fine but I prefer Mahle--the quality seems more robust/high-end. Part number: 11427512300

Spark plugs

Replace every 60,000 miles (BMW says 100,000) NGK BKR6EQUP (6)

Fuel filter

OEM Mahle. If your upper intake boot has an "F" connector with a vacuum line attached, your car has the integrated fuel pressure regulator. Most E46s come with this. I believe the M56 SULEV 325 cars use the plain in/out filter. Do this every 50,000 miles. Part number: 13327512019

Differential oil

Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil such as Mobil 1 75W-90. Your non-LSD diff holds approximately 1 quart. Do this every 50,000 miles

Transmission oil

Automatic:

You should change your automatic transmission fluid and filter with OE or OE-spec'd high-quality fluid every 50-75k miles. The type and amount of fluid will depend on your year/make/model. I will list the various types of automatic transmissions and their corresponding fluid:

323i/iS/iC 7/98-3/00, 328i/iS 6/98+ - GM 5L40 (A5S 360R) Texaco ETL 7045E, supercedes ETL 7045, BMW part number: 83220026922

323i/Ci 3/00-8/00, 325i/Ci/Cic 8/00+, 325iT 3/01+, 330i/Ci/Cic 6/00+ - ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z), Esso ATF LT 71141, BMW part number: 83229407807

325xi/xiT 8/00+, 325iT 8/00+, 330xi 8/00+ - GM GM5 (A5S 390R), Texaco ETL 8072B, BMW part number: 83220024359

Manual:

BMW MTF-LT-2, equivalent Pentosin MTF-2, or other equivalent. I use Redline D4 ATF. You can also use Redline MT-90.

Air filters

These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Use Genuine/OEM Mann. Part number: 13721744869

Cabin air filter

These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Part number: 64319071935

Clean idle control valve

http://www.bmw-planet.com/2009/01/10...-cleaning-e46/ Clean every 50,000 miles. If needs replacing, part number: 13411744713.

You might want to replace the rubber boot which seals it to the intake manifold. Part number: 11611437453.

Clean throttle body

Couldn't find a DIY, but personally I recommend cleaning it. From the outside (front) mine appeared to be spotless.

The backside was a VERY different story. Use throttle body cleaner. Requires removal of the airbox, upper and lower intake boots, and electrcial wire junction box. Four bolts hold it on. Replace the rubber throttle body gasket. Part number: 11611716174

DISA

This part can also cause vacuum leaks. It works by altering the volume of the intake manifold depending on engine operation/speed. Remove and inspect yours to ensure the flap is not loose.

You should feel resistance as you manually operate the flap. There should be no excessive noises or rattling. Part number if you'd like to replace: 11617544805. Reseal or repair using: http://germanautosolutions.com/DISA_...epair_Kit.html

Brake fluid

You should completely replace and bleed your brake system every two years or 25,000 miles or more frequently if you see track use or have overheated your brakes/fluid. I recommend ATE Super Blue (or amber if you had blue last) :
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...d/A/ATE/ES111/

Valve cover gasket

Major source of leaks. If the front or passenger side (right side) of your engine is covered in oil, then your valve cover gasket is leaking. By 60,000 miles, these are hard, dry, and brittle. Use Permatex Ultra Black at half moon areas and vanos seams. LESS IS MORE. Use very little sealant. Don't forget the 15 rubber grommets: part number: 11121437395. Up to 9/02, part number 11129070990 and 9/02+: 11120030496. If you experience repeated leaking, your valve cover could be damaged or warped.

Oil filter housing gasket

Major source of MAJOR leaks. The left side of the block will be wet and you'll have puddles in your driveway. Replace when leaking. Part number: 11421719855

Vanos line

Do this when you replace the oil filter housing gasket. Part number: 11361705532

Also replace four 14x20 copper sealing gaskets, part number: 32411093596

Power steering

Use ATF Dexron III only. Replace reservoir as it has integrated filter. Part number: 32411097164

Also trim and re-clamp (using new universal clamps) the power steering lines to the bottom of the reservoir and to the return line at the pump. The BMW clamps get loose over time and oil leaks/seeps out.

Exterior/interior

Of course, clean the exterior/interior and engine compartment. There's nothing worse than a dirty car with an engine compartment full of leaves, debris, oil, spiders, and dead rats. Cleaning also can help reveal problem areas or parts that are leaking. A clean engine is also more satisfying to work on.

And of course, last but not least, the cooling system.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=914109

These are the absolute bare essentials. There's still the suspension, drivetrain items, bushings, etc. But the above list should be the first things you do.

If there's any inaccuracies, things left out, etc. feel free to add. I'll then put this in my sig and link it to anyone who is interested.

[danewilson77]

Thanks Webby.

Sent from a Thunderbolt

[WOLFN8TR]

Very Nice Work Webster!




What about the Beisan VANOS rebuild?

[kayger12]

Good reference, but the change out intervals are a little long for me.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

[WOLFN8TR]

Bump...

[john_y]

Fcked up an install bad today.. was doing the vcg replacement with a friend and used ultra copper rtv to seal the gasket and my buddy somehow managed to smear some rtv on timing chain and some into the valves.. can someone please tell me if that silicone in there would cause some serious harm?

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[danewilson77]

Doubt it will do anything detrimental. I would run it for a few hundred miles then do an oil change if you're super concerned about it.

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[john_y]

Thank you so much for the reply Dane! I was super worried cuz I am a bit crazy when it comes to doing things right and when I saw that I was like damn maybe I should sell the car or change the engine lol...

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[Smolck]

Thank you so much for the reply Dane! I was super worried cuz I am a bit crazy when it comes to doing things right and when I saw that I was like damn maybe I should sell the car or change the engine lol...

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You'll be fine. Go out and run it HARD and live life.

BTW, are we really linking to Mango threads around here?

[Avetiso]

You'll be fine. Go out and run it HARD and live life.

BTW, are we really linking to Mango threads around here?

Dude, don't hate on him, he's liek the maintenance gawd. Brb, gunna go mango my car and tell the whole interwebz that I'm better than everyone else.

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