Changing engine oil and oil filter (BMW 3 Series E46)

Prolonged skin contact with used engine oil is quite dangerous. Use a barrier cream and wear gloves during this procedure. Change oil-soaked clothing immediately.

Frequent engine oil changes are the most important preventative maintenance procedure available to the amateur mechanic. Over time, oil is susceptible to dilution and contamination, leading to premature engine wear.

Engine oil can be sucked out using a special probe (available at gas stations) through the oil dipstick tube. After this, it is usually necessary to fill the system with oil.

Do not dispose of used oil with household waste or in any other way. This may cause environmental pollution.

When changing the oil, it is advisable to attach a tag to the engine with the oil brand and its viscosity.

The use of oils of different types has an adverse effect on engine operation. It is also not recommended to mix different brands of oils. Engine oils of the same type and brand, but of different viscosity, can be mixed if necessary, particularly in the off-season.

To carry out the work you will need:

• An oil suction tool and a container to collect the oil if the oil is to be sucked out.
• If the oil is draining: Inspection pit or hydraulic garage lift with stands, as well as a socket for unscrewing the drain plug.
• Petrol engine: HAZET 2169 tool for loosening the oil filter cap.
• Oil collection container with a capacity of at least 7 liters.

Necessary operating materials/spare parts:

• Depending on the engine, 4.0 to 6.5 liters of engine oil. Only use oil approved by BMW, see Specifications.
• Oil filter element.
• Only if the oil is not sucked out: An aluminum gasket for the drain plug. The plug thread has an outside diameter of 12 mm, the gasket is A12 x 15.5 and is sometimes supplied with the oil filter.
• A sealing ring for the oil filter housing and, depending on the version, one or two sealing rings for the central bolt. The same engine version may have two different filter versions. Please note this when purchasing spare parts.

Protect the environment, never pour out used oil or dispose of it with household waste.

Removal engine oil

Engine oil can either be removed through the dipstick hole or drained from the oil pan. A special pump is required for suction. It is necessary to ensure that the hose matches the guide tube of the dipstick. Suction devices may be available at filling stations. However, in this case, as a rule, it is necessary to buy oil at the same station.

1. Warm up the oil to operating temperature. To do this, drive the car so that the coolant temperature gauge shows normal operating temperature.

The operation of lifting and installing the vehicle on stands is associated with danger! Therefore, before carrying out the operation, read the Section Jacking and towing

2. Place the vehicle on stands.



3. Open the cover under the oil pan using a Phillips screwdriver.

4. Place under the oil pan.



5. Loosen the drain plug on the side of the oil pan and drain the oil completely.

If the used oil contains a large amount of metal shavings and wear products, this indicates that the engine has scuff marks, such as in the connecting rod and main bearings. To avoid this, after repairing the engine, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the oil channels and hoses. Additionally, it is necessary to replace the oil radiator, if there is one. Replacing the oil filter, version with a central bolt.

6. Remove the central bolt "1" in the center of the oil filter cover.

7. Remove the filter cover "2" with the central bolt "1".

8. Wait until the oil drains from the filter housing. After that, remove the filter element "3". Wipe the dripping oil with a rag.

9. Insert the new filter element into the filter housing.

10. Clean the oil filter cover.



11. Replace the rubber rings (arrows in the illustration) on the central bolt and on the cover. Lubricate the new rings with engine oil.



12. Insert the oil filter cover straight from the top and press it down.

13. Tighten the center bolt to 25 Nm.

Oil filter replacement, threaded cap version

14. Unscrew the threaded cap with a 36 mm head. For a petrol engine, the cap is unscrewed with a special tool HAZET 2169.



15. Wait until the oil flows out of the filter housing. After that, remove the filter element "1". Wipe off the dripping oil with a rag

16. Insert the new filter element into the housing.

17. Replace the rubber rings (in illustration 6.15) on the center bolt and cover. Lubricate the new O-rings with engine oil.

18. Place the oil filter cover with the oil line directly on top and press it down. The oil line enters the corresponding hole at the bottom of the filter.

19. Tighten the cover to 25 Nm.

Filling the system with oil

20. Screw in the drain plug with a new sealing ring and tighten it firmly, but so as not to overtighten it. The tightening torque for the M12 thread (key "17") is 25 N·m, for the M22 thread - 60 N·m.

21. Fill with new oil through the filler neck of the cylinder head cover. The volume of oil to be filled is given in the Specifications.

It is recommended to first fill in 1/2 liter less oil than required. Excess oil should be sucked out, otherwise the engine seals and catalytic converter may be damaged.

22. Start the engine and let it idle until the indicator lamp goes out. Stop the engine.

23. After waiting 5 minutes, check the oil level and add oil if necessary. The difference between the Min and Max oil level marks corresponds to a volume of 1 liter.

24. Close the flap in the engine compartment cover under the oil pan and use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the locking element 1/4 turn, thus securing the flap.

25. Drive the car and check the drain plug and oil filter for leaks. Tighten carefully if necessary.

This article is based on information from the website: BMWman