How to Install a V Belt on a BMW

1. Pop the hood. Locate the V-belt, which runs around the alternator and several pulleys. Follow it with your eye to a tensioner, which is identified by a hex-head bolt on one side and a bolt on the other side.
2. Loosen the locking bolt on the tensioner with an open-end wrench. Turn the tension bolt on the tensioner clockwise with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Once you've taken the tension out of the belt, pull it off of the pulleys.
3. Run the replacement V-belt around the pulleys. Turn the tensioner clockwise with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket again, then run the belt around the tensioner. Tighten down the lock bolt on the tensioner with an open-end wrench.

Continue lendo

How to Identify a BMW Engine

1. Find the identification code for the engine and power plant of your BMW. Each engine has a special place for this code as determined by the factory.The first line is the engine identification code, the second is the engine number and the third is the part number.
2. Write down the code. The code consists of a series of letters and numbers which tell various aspects of your engine. In the example code: 39 8 D 1, the first two numbers, '39', indicate displacement; '8' indicates the number of cylinders; 'D' indicates concept and '1' indicates differentiation concept.For the concept code, the following lists each code and interpretation: 'D' stands for diesel; 'E' stands for fuel injection; 'K' stands for catalytic converter; 'S' stands for 4-valve technology; 'T' stands for turbo and 'V' stands for carburetor.
3. Look at the power plant identification code. This code contains the engine production code followed by variant and new or remanufactured codes. For example, the power plant identification code for the above example may be 39 8 D 1 01 A. The '01' indicates the variant and the 'A' indicates a remanufactured part. Had an 'N' replaced the 'A,' the part would be new.
4. Search for the VIN of your BMW. BMWs list the VIN on the left side of the dash looking in through the windshield or in the right inner fender. The fourth through eighth number in the VIN indicate features including the engine type.

Continue lendo

How to Connect an Apple iPod to a BMW MINI

1. Buy a wireless FM transmitter from an electronics store or big discount retailer. You can convert the signal from the iPod into an FM radio station that takes the place of an empty station in whatever region you are driving your MINI in. Find an FM station laden with static, tune the transmitter to that station, and plug it into the iPod. Some FM transmitters require DC power, so plug it into the lighter port if need be. Play the iPod normally, and it will come through the MINI's radio.
2. Buy a wired FM modulator. It is a more expensive, higher quality incarnation of the wireless version. It can be wired by you, or a professional, into the antenna input of the MINI. It functions as a middleman between the antenna and the MINI's radio, allowing you to tune it to an empty FM radio station and play the iPod through that station. The sound quality produced equals that of any high-quality FM broadcast.
3. Buy an auxiliary input cable. This can also be wired by you, if you have the proper knowledge, or a professional. Connect it to the auxiliary input in the back of the MINI's stereo, and run it into the cockpit of the MINI. Plug it into the iPod's headphone port, and select 'Auxiliary' on the stereo. The sound quality produced is nearly perfect.

Continue lendo

How to Replace a Mercedes E500 Headlight

1. Open the hood. Squeeze the connector tabs and pull the headlight connector off of the back of the headlight.
2. Pull the dust cover off of the back of the headlight housing with your fingers and set it aside.
3. Grab the headlight by the base and twist it counterclockwise. This will unlock it from the housing.
4. Pull the old headlight out and put the new one in, making sure that you don't touch the glass bulb in the process. Touching the bulb can shorten the bulb's life. Installation is the reverse of removal.

Continue lendo

How to Install an Aftermarket CD Player in a 96 Audi A4

1. Pull the hood release lever under the dashboard on the driver's side of the Audi. Move to the front of the A4.
2. Lift the hood to access the battery. Loosen the negative battery cable clamp with a 10mm socket wrench. Remove the cable from the terminal and rest it away from the battery. Return to the inside of the Audi.
3. Insert the extraction keys into the factory stereo. The slits are located at the bottom corners of the factory stereo face. Push the keys until they lock into place.
4. Pull outward on the keys while pulling the factory stereo from the stereo dock in the Audi's dashboard.
5. Disconnect the stereo wiring and antenna cable from the back of the factory head unit.
6. Slide the installation sleeve included with the aftermarket CD player into the vacant stereo dock inside the Audi's dashboard. Fold the metal tabs at the entrance of the sleeve downward with a flat screwdriver to secure the sleeve within the dock.
7. Connect the wiring connectors from the Audi's stereo wiring into the leads of the wiring harness adapter.
8. Plug the wiring adapter's lead connectors into the corresponding outlets on the rear panel of the new CD player.
9. Plug the antenna cable from the inside of the Audi stereo dock into the antenna outlet on the lower left corner of the new CD player's rear panel.
10. Slide the CD player into the A4's stereo dock (now lined with the installation sleeve). Push the new unit into the opening until it snaps into place within the sleeve. Return to the engine compartment.
11. Place the negative battery cable back around the Audi's negative battery terminal. Tighten the cable's clamp with the wrench. Close the A4's hood.

Continue lendo

How to Replace a Battery in a BMW 325I

Removing the Battery
1. Open the trunk. Locate a plastic cover at the back of the trunk on the passenger side. Remove the two small plastic screws that secure the cover with a slotted screwdriver. Lift the cover off the battery compartment.
2. Remove the terminal clamp from the negative (black) battery cable with a 10mm open ended wrench. Pull the clamp off the battery terminal.
3. Remove the positive (red) cable from the battery in the same way.
4. Attach an extension and a 10mm socket to a socket wrench. Reach behind the battery to its base and remove the retaining bolt and retainer. Hold the battery with both hands, then carefully lift it out of the compartment.
Replacing the Battery
5. Purchase a fully-charged battery with the same dimensions, amperage rating and cold cranking amp rating as the one you removed. Place the battery into the compartment, then install the retainer and retainer bolt.
6. Attach the positive (red) cable clamp to the battery terminal and tighten the nut.
7. Attach the negative (black) cable clamp to the battery terminal and tighten the nut.
8. Replace the compartment cover and install the plastic screws. Close the trunk, then start the engine to test the new battery.

Continue lendo

How to Remove a Door Handle on a 1998 BMW 323i

1. Park the car in a sunny spot, or inside a garage. Make sure the area is well-lit. Removing the handle requires the ability to see clearly behind the door housing, so good lighting is a must. You can also use a headlamp to see inside the panel.
2. Remove the screw caps from under the broken door handle. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the screw caps away from the panel exposing the screws holding the handle housing in place.
3. Unscrew the screws holding the handle housing in place with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside for now in a safe place so that you can find them later when you install the new handle.
4. Pull the handle housing away from the door. You may have to break an adhesive bond between the door and door handle housing with the flathead screwdriver. Heat the handle with a heat gun for about a minute to loosen the glue and make it easier to pry it away from the car with the screwdriver. You can also slide a putty knife between the handle and the door to help with the removal process.
5. Disconnect the cables from the handle housing with needle nose pliers. Tape the cables to the side of the door panel so that they do not retract inside the door. Set the old housing aside.

Continue lendo

How to Program the Clock in a BMW 325i

1. Push your turn signal stalk up slightly (not enough to turn on the signal) to toggle through the instrument cluster menu, until the "Clock" symbol and the word "Set" displays.
2. Press the button on the edge of your turn signal stalk to enter "Set" mode.
3. Push the turn signal up or down lightly to set the hour. When the hour is correct, press the button on the edge of your turn signal stalk. This saves the setting and moves you to the minute display.
4. Push the turn signal stalk up or down to adjust the minute display. When the correct minute is displayed, press the button on the edge of your turn signal stalk to show the adjusted time.
5. Press the button on the edge of your turn signal stalk to save the clock setting.

Continue lendo

How to Remove a 1996 A4 Audi Timing Belt

1. Fit the appropriate socket on the tensioner pulley bolt. Rotate the pulley toward the engine to loosen tension on the belt. Lift the belt off the pulleys. Unbolt and remove the tensioner pulley, using the appropriate socket. Unclip the left and right upper timing belt covers, then remove them.
2. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley is lined up at the 12 o'clock position. Ensure that the large holes in the camshaft sprocket locking plates face each other. If not, turn the crankshaft clockwise one more turn.
3. Unplug the crankshaft position sensor. Remove the sensor, using the appropriate socket. Screw the crankshaft holding tool onto the crankshaft and lightly tighten the bolts. Remove the crankshaft damper bolts and damper, using the appropriate socket. You do not need to remove the center bolt to remove the crankshaft.
4. Remove the lower timing belt cover, using the appropriate socket. Loosen both camshaft sprocket bolts, but do not remove them. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt and turn the pulley counterclockwise to release tension on the belt. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets and pulleys.
5. Ensure that the camshaft sprockets can turn, but not tilt. Install the timing belt over the camshaft sprockets. Install the camshaft holding tool onto the camshaft and tighten the bolts.
6. Slide the timing belt under the water pump pulley. Route it behind the guide pulley, then under the crankshaft sprocket. Slide it behind the tensioner pulley. Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise, using an 8 mm Allen wrench until you can twist the belt through 90 degrees with your finger and thumb halfway between the water pump pulley and the passenger side camshaft sprocket.
7. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 33 foot-pounds of torque. Tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts to 52 foot-pounds of torque. Remove the crankshaft and camshaft holding tools. Install the crankshaft damper, making sure the notch it lined up with the tab on the crankshaft sprocket at the 3 o'clock position. Reinstall the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal and tighten the crankshaft damper bolts to 18 foot-pounds of torque.

Continue lendo

How to Fill a Rear Differential

Filling a Rear Differential
1. Be sure the car is raised on four jack stands and is level. It will be more difficult to fill the differential if you've only got it raised in the rear.
2. Place an oil drain pan underneath the plug to catch any leaks or drips. Keep shop rags handy for any spills.
3. Check your service manual for the amount of fluid your differential needs, if you're completely refilling the system. Two quarts should be enough in most cases.
4.
Remove the spouts on the gear oil containers. Peel off seals, then replace spouts. Use side cutters (or any cutting tool you've got handy) to clip off the top of each spout.
5.
Remove the differential fill plug using a 3/8 inch drive ratchet with extension. (Some models may require a hex key or screwdriver, but the 3/8 inch is the most common plug design.)
6.
Take the gear oil container and fit the spout into the fill hole. Pour the fluid inside. You can gently squeeze the bottle to speed the process. Repeat with a second bottle if necessary.
7. Fill the differential until the fluid starts draining back out of the hole.
8. Clean and replace fill plug. Use lock tight (thread locker) to help seal if desired. You can see my eHow article 'How to Replace Rear Differential Fill Plug' for more information.
9. Take the car for a drive around the block to get the gear oil moving. When you return, check underneath for any leaks from the fill plug or differential cover.

Continue lendo