Simple General Maintenance Qns

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   The car concerned is a 92 E34 BMW 520.

ok this is really embarrasing. i need to top up my screen washer, but i am
not sure where the bottle is. I suspect that it is the bottle at the very
front to the right side of the bonnet (view from drivers seat). Bottle is
white in colour, and a plastic netting can be seen when the cap is removed ?

Oil Check :  When removing the dip stick, the oil level is just above the
base of the triangle tip. I think this means that an oil top up is due. Am i
correct ? How high should the oil level be on the dip stick ? The oil is
light brown-yelloiwsh in colour, no particles. I'm guessing this means that
the oil is clean rite ?

Lastly, the car doesnt start well first time when cold. Needs a few cranks
before it catches. When it is warm, starts fine. I'm guessing that it's the
spark plugs ?
Can somebody point me to a web resource which shows u how to do it ?
How easy is it and how long will it take ?

Thanks for replying ! Cheers

Clement
(Finally deciding to DIY instead of throwing money at garages especially
after the horrible AA Service Centre experience. They never get things done
properly anyway.)

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
26ReD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24-May-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Topic: Simple General Maintenance Qns Posted: 26-May-2003 at 00:21
	The car concerned is a 92 E34 BMW 520. ok this is really embarrasing. i need to top up my screen washer, but i am not sure where the bottle is. I suspect that it is the bottle at the very front to the right side of the bonnet (view from drivers seat). Bottle is white in colour, and a plastic netting can be seen when the cap is removed ? Oil Check : When removing the dip stick, the oil level is just above the base of the triangle tip. I think this means that an oil top up is due. Am i correct ? How high should the oil level be on the dip stick ? The oil is light brown-yelloiwsh in colour, no particles. I'm guessing this means that the oil is clean rite ? Lastly, the car doesnt start well first time when cold. Needs a few cranks before it catches. When it is warm, starts fine. I'm guessing that it's the spark plugs ? Can somebody point me to a web resource which shows u how to do it ? How easy is it and how long will it take ? Thanks for replying ! Cheers Clement (Finally deciding to DIY instead of throwing money at garages especially after the horrible AA Service Centre experience. They never get things done properly anyway.)

Sponsored Links

Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 26-May-2003 at 09:45
	Seems like you have found everything ok, and in my opinion at least everything you say seems about right. The bentley E34 5 series manual contains all this info, and much more, but as its american doesnt contain data on the 2.0 engine, or the 1.8 for that matter, as the yanks seem to have classed the 2.5 as the base level engine. I'd contact the club to see if they can help you obtain a good manual for the 520, dont bother with the haynes, its about as much use as a roll of andrex on our cars. The chap who does books etc from the club is called david, but they will give you all the details, even if you arent a member, although you get a discount if you are. The parts chap for the club works for a dealer, he may also be able to help, also I have seen cd's advertised on e-bay, but I'm not sure how good they are.
	Best Wishes Nigel

Karl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24-May-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 15	Posted: 27-May-2003 at 07:49
	Does the Bentley manual cover the 525 ix auto tourer? I bought this car for very little money with a view to repairing the air con and selling on but I have developed quite a liking for the old barge and have decided to keep it. Apart from minor electrical niggles and the aircon not working, both are easily repaired, it does have a very worn front drive shaft and a slightly sluggish auto box. Ill see if a transmission fluid change helps the box any, but I'm worried that the drive shafts may be more than I paid for the car! Any advice on this would be most welcome

HantsBMW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28-April-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 14	Posted: 27-May-2003 at 15:23
	Quote: Originally posted by 26ReD on 26-May-2003 The car concerned is a 92 E34 BMW 520. ok this is really embarrasing. i need to top up my screen washer, but i am not sure where the bottle is. I suspect that it is the bottle at the very front to the right side of the bonnet (view from drivers seat). Bottle is white in colour, and a plastic netting can be seen when the cap is removed ? Oil Check : When removing the dip stick, the oil level is just above the base of the triangle tip. I think this means that an oil top up is due. Am i correct ? How high should the oil level be on the dip stick ? The oil is light brown-yelloiwsh in colour, no particles. I'm guessing this means that the oil is clean rite ? Lastly, the car doesnt start well first time when cold. Needs a few cranks before it catches. When it is warm, starts fine. I'm guessing that it's the spark plugs ? Can somebody point me to a web resource which shows u how to do it ? How easy is it and how long will it take ? Thanks for replying ! Cheers Clement (Finally deciding to DIY instead of throwing money at garages especially after the horrible AA Service Centre experience. They never get things done properly anyway.) Washer bottle is the one you think it is .... Dipstick should have two lines engraved on it, lower one is minimum, upper one is maximum ... space between the two represents about a litre of oil ... Make sure the car is level when you check it, the road camber will give you a false reading depending which side of the road you are parked on ... Best done with engine cold before start up .... When you describe the oil colour ... If it is at all milky in appearance you need to get it checked out, this could be a sign of water getting in .... Bad news! Starting problems could be many things, a process of elimination, changing plugs could be a good start .... Hope this helps a bit ... Cheers Andy

Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 28-May-2003 at 22:18
	Karl It says 525i,530i,535i,540i,including touring, 1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995 engines M20,M30,M50,M60 Give the club a ring and speak to David, they will give you his details, I must ring him and ask his permission to put them on here when people ask. I only have the one book, he has the lot!!
	Best Wishes Nigel

Karl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24-May-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 15	Posted: 29-May-2003 at 08:23
	Thanks Nigel, The Tatton Park classic car show is on at the weekend, so I'll pop along and meet the BMW car club there, it's always better face to face.