Starting the engine (BMW 5 Series E12)

Make sure the gear shift lever is in neutral.

In a car with an automatic transmission, the engine can only be started in the "P" or "O" positions of the selector lever.

BMW "528", "525", "520"

The engine has two carburetors with an automatic starting device.

Cold engine start

Turn on the starting device by sharply pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal.

To start the engine, insert the ignition key into the switch and turn on the starter by turning the key to position "3" without pressing the accelerator pedal. Do not turn on the starter for more than 10-15 seconds.

If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn off the ignition by turning the key to position "1" to prevent the starter from engaging again while the engine is running, which could damage the flywheel ring gear and starter. After 20-30 seconds, turn the starter on again.

If the engine fails to start after several attempts despite the fuel-air mixture having been ignited several times, sharply press and release the accelerator pedal again and try to start the engine again.

Do not press the accelerator pedal several times under any circumstances to avoid flooding the carburetors.

To facilitate engine starting at low ambient temperatures, it is recommended to turn off all electrical consumers and press the clutch pedal all the way down.

Immediately after starting the engine, the crankshaft rotates at a high speed: 2500-3000 rpm. After a few seconds, press the accelerator pedal again and the engine speed will decrease to the fast idle mode.



After warming up the engine (the coolant temperature gauge needle is between the two colored zones of the scale) the normal idle mode is automatically set.

Starting a hot engine

Do not press the accelerator pedal before starting the engine.

Starting a very hot engine

Press the accelerator pedal all the way down and turn on the starter.

BMW "518"

1st modification

Depending on the coolant temperature and the ambient air temperature, before engaging the starter, pull the carburetor choke handle to the following positions:

• at ambient temperature above +10°C: the handle is pulled out to the first locked position;
• at ambient temperatures below +10°C: the handle is pulled out to the limit;
• at ambient temperatures below -10°C, after turning on the starter, press the accelerator pedal sharply several times to supply a small amount of fuel to the intake manifold.

Note: The carburetor choke control is located to the right of the steering column cover.

2nd modification

The engine carburetor has the same automatic starting device as on the "520".

BMW "520i"

The engine is equipped with an automatic engine starting and warming up system.

Starting device

Fuel is injected into the engine intake manifold using a special electromagnetic injector controlled by the starting circuit. The duration of fuel injection depends on the coolant temperature. After starting the engine, an automatic warm-up device ensures enrichment of the working mixture also depending on the coolant temperature.

Starting the engine

When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal. After starting, press the accelerator pedal for a short stroke. After starting the engine, you can start driving at medium engine speed. After the engine switches to fast idle mode, the oil pressure and battery charge indicator lights should go out.

Frequency of adjustment of clearances in the valve drive mechanism

Every 15,000 km, check and adjust the clearances in the valve drive mechanism.