The instruction show step-by-step normal oil changes for all BMW common motors.
1
Warm up the engine to working temperature. To do this, drive to a garage or other planned oil change location.
Start the engine
Warm up to working temperature
2
Stop the engine and lift the car using a jack or place it over an inspection pit. The car must be level after you have jacked it up.
Stop the engine
or
Do not change engine oil with vacuum units through the dipstick hole in the engine compartment. This method is usually used in non-certified service centres and is undesirable, we do not recommend it.
3
Covering the bottom of the engine is a plastic splash shield (if there is one) held on with fasteners. Use an 8mm or 10mm socket to remove the fasteners.
Remove the lower splash shield
4
Put a waste oil container with at least 10 l capacity under the drainage hole. The container can be made from a canister with a cut-off wall or use a special tray.
10 L
or
10 L
5
The drain bolt is 17mm and located on the drivers side of the oil pan. Carefully and slowly unscrew the drain plug. Given the age of the car, the bolt may not be the original size, check before replacing it.
Wrench 17mm
The oil drain bolt location
Caution! The oil may be hot, use gloves.
6
Drain the used oil. Let the oil drain for approximately 20 minutes. Wait patiently until the oil has completely drained.
20 minutes
Leave the oil to drain
Many people additionally unscrew the oil filler plug and up the oil dipstick before draining the oil from engine. In this position, the oil will not flow faster, but only increases the risk of dirt getting into the engine.
7
While the old oil is draining out, you can remove the used oil filter. Locate the oil filter housing. The filter can be removed by twisting it counterclockwise. Use an oil filter wrench - 76-14F socket to remove the old oil filter.
Oil filter wrench
Remove the oil filter
Some oil may still be in the filter, so be careful as you remove the old filter to avoid spilling oil.
8
When all of the oil is out of the engine, use the new copper crush washer and the drain plug supplied with the kit to seal the oil pan. Clean the area of the oil pan drainage hole. Thread in the drain plug by hand to prevent cross-threading and, then use the 17mm socket to torque the plug to 30Nm (22lb ft) (metal plug) or 5Nm (3lb ft) (plastic plug).
New plug and washer
Install drain plug
Optionally you can flush the engine by using 1 liter of new oil and wait until it drains out of the drain hole. Flushing the engine with special active agents is not necessary and can be dangerous.
9
Install a new oil filter. Lubricate the rubber seal on the new filter with some fresh oil. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque (18lb ft) the oil filter cap. Use oil wrench the 76-14F socket.
Lubricate the seal on the filter
Install new oil filter
Many people fill the filter with new oil before installing it. This is not necessary for this BMW model. The oil pump fills the filter with new oil on its own and without damaging the engine.
10
Remove the oil filler cap. Slowly pour the oil into the engine to 80% of the required oil volume. Wait around 2 minutes and then check the level. The oil needs to make its way through the engine and down into the oil pan. Check the oil level using the dipstick.
Fill 80% of the oil
Wait 2 minutes
Check the oil level
Insert a funnel into the oil filler hole so as not to spill it.
Use the oil recommended by the manufacturer or use a ready-made selection that takes into account the prevailing operating climate and age of the Bmw 3 E21 engine.
11
Look at the oil level on the dipstick. Keep adding oil in small increments until you reach the required level.
Oil level within rangeA
– do not top up with oil
Oil level within rangeB
– you may top up with oil
Oil level within rangeC
– you must top up with oil
Refill engine oil
Don't overfill, it will be difficult to drain the excess oil.
Underfilling the oil to the minimum range C can damage working engine parts.
Overfilling above the maximum range A will put excessive pressure on the engine seals.
12
Once you add the recommended amount of engine oil, reinstall the filler cap. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 minutes. The oil filter will fill with oil during this time and the working pressure will build up.
Start the engine
Wait 2 minutes
Note that the oil pressure warning light, which indicates insufficient pressure in the lubrication system, may work for a while. This is normal.
13
Stop the engine off and check for the correct oil level on the dipstick after 5 minutes.
Stop the engine
Wait 5 minutes
Check the oil level
Usually oil filter absorbs 200-250 ml of oil, for some Bmw 3 engines this is critical, so if the oil level does not comply with the allowable values, add the required amount.
14
Make sure that the oil filler cap is properly tightened. Start the engine and check the threaded plug of the drainage hole and the oil filter seal for tightness.
BMW 3 (E21) 1975-1983
oil
change
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