How to Replace the Head Gasket on a 1996 BMW 740iL

1. Pop open the hood of your BMW and use a wrench to remove the clamp bolt of the negative battery terminal. Lift the negative cable away from the battery. This will allow you to safely work on the vehicle.
2. Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. Remove the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. Drain the coolant in to the pan. Place the pan in a safe area.
3. Use a wrench to remove the mounting bolts off the clamps which hold the air intake hose, vacuum lines and coolant lines in place within the engine. Remove the covers on the timing belt. This can be done by removing the mounting bolts attached to it.
4. Remove the bolts on the heads. Loosen the bolt furthest to the left and then continue loosening the rest in a cross hatch pattern. Once you have loosened them all begin removing each bolt. Keep track of where each bolt goes because you will need to put each specific bolt in the correct place when you reattach them later.
5. Carefully remove the head gasket from the engine. Take care not to damage the surrounding components. Place the new head gasket on the engine block.
6. Place each specific bolt back on the head in the reverse order from which you removed it. Start with the last bolt you removed first. Place them in the same holes you removed them from. Reattach all the hoses and timing cover following the removal steps in reverse. Open the radiator cap and place the coolant back in to the radiator. Attach the negative cable back on the correct battery terminal.

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How Do I Replace the Oil in a BMW 528i?

1. Warm the engine up to operating temperature so that oil will drain out completely. Park the BMW on a flat, level surface. Lift the front passenger side of the car with a floor jack, using the factory jacking point. Lower the car onto a jack stand placed under the front cross member. You can leave the jack in place for added security if you prefer. Alternatively you can drive the front of the car up onto a pair of ramps.
2. Locate the oil drain plug, which is on the oil sump and points down at an angle. Place an oil catch container under the oil drain plug. Use a 17 mm socket to loosen and remove the drain plug. Let the oil fully drain into the container. Loosen the oil cap in the engine bay to speed the process.
3. Locate the large, cylindrical container with a 36 mm nut on top. This is the oil filter housing. Unscrew the 36 mm nut with a socket and ratchet. Remove the cap and the filter as a unit. Remove the filter and then the O-ring located in the cap by gently prying it out with a screwdriver.
4. Install a new O-ring in the cap. Lightly coat the O-ring with engine oil. Install the new filter onto the cap. Make sure all the oil has drained out of the engine and then reinstall and tighten the filter and cap.
5. Wipe off the drain bolt. Remove the old crush washer from the drain bolt. Install a new crush washer on the bolt. Install the drain bolt and tighten it to 21 foot-pounds. Remove the oil cap on the valve cover and pour 7 qts. of oil into the engine. Tighten the oil cap. Start the engine and let it get up to operating temperature or drive it. Ensure there are no leaks.

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How do I Remove the Instrument Cluster on an Audi TT?

1. Tilt the steering column as low as possible with the factory adjustment on the lower half of the steering column. Grip the top half of the steering column cover and pull it up off of the steering column.
2. Pull out the rubber pleated panel that sits directly underneath the instrument cluster to reveal the bolts underneath. Remove these bolts with the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets.
3. Pull the bezel around the instrument cluster toward you to remove it from the dashboard. Unbolt the cluster from the dashboard with the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets.
4. Pull the instrument cluster carefully from its mounting point in the dashboard and turn it slightly to the side. Cut the wire ties located on the back of the instrument cluster with the wire cutters.
5. Pull the instrument cluster out from the dashboard and unplug the wiring with your thumb and forefinger. Take the cluster out of the Audi.

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Troubleshooting a 1996 Audi Transmission

1. Notice if there is red fluid leaking from your Audi and onto the ground. If so, you most likely have a transmission fluid leak.
2. Set up ramps in front of your Audi and drive up the ramps. Engage the parking brake and put a wood block behind a rear tire. Turn off your Audi and let it cool down.
3. Look underneath your Audi using a flashlight. Find the transmission located behind the engine. Inspect the transmission for loose wiring harnesses or broken shift linkages. These problems may be the cause behind your Audi's transmission problems.
4. Restart your Audi, allowing the transmission to run warm. The best time to check the transmission's fluid level is when the vehicle is still running.
5. Pop the hood and locate the transmission dipstick. You can find it on the driver's side of the engine compartment. It has a label reading 'transmission'. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean with a cloth. Slide it in the tube and pull it out, reading the fluid level. If the level of fluid in the transmission gets too low, the transmission will fail.
6. Smell the transmission fluid; if you detect odor and the fluid is very dark in color, it should be replaced. Transmission fluid that is burnt or dirty can make the transmission fail.

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How to Remove the Harmonic Balancer in a VR6

1. Record the security code for the radio so that you can connect the battery after removing the harmonic balancer. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. This prevents you from inadvertently starting the engine, while removing the harmonic balancer.
2. Remove the splash shield for the front wheel wells with a socket wrench to gain access to the vibration damper. Some vehicles with a VR6 engine also require you to disconnect the lower engine shield to access the vibration damper.
3. Hold the crankshaft pulley in place with Tool No. 3273. Detach the accessory drive belt that the crankshaft drives.
4. Disconnect the central bolt on the crankshaft with a socket wrench. Remove the vibration damper from the crankshaft.

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How to Replace the Battery in an Audi A2

1. Open the trunk of your Audi A2. Roll the carpet back out of the way of the trunk floor.
2. Lift the trunk floor and locate the battery. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a wrench. Remove the cable from the battery terminal. Disconnect the positive battery cable using a wrench and remove the cable from the terminal.
3. Remove the bolt from the battery retaining strap with a wrench. Move the strap out of the way and lift the battery out of the compartment. Insert the new battery into the tray in the same position as the one you removed.
4. Reconnect the positive battery cable and tighten the connection with a wrench. Connect the negative battery cable to the terminal and tighten it with a wrench. Replace the retaining strap and tighten it with a wrench.
5. Replace the carpet in the trunk. Close the trunk then start the car to test the new battery.

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How to Change the Oil Filter on a Mercedes 500 SEL

1. Raise the hood and locate the oil filter housing. Remove the retaining bolt from the top of the housing with a 13mm socket wrench. Pull the cap up and off the housing. Remove the oil filter from the housing; it will still contain oil so have a container close-by to place it into.
2. Install the larger rubber O-Ring supplied with the new filter under the oil filter housing cap. Then install the small aluminum washer under the oil filter housing bolt.
3. Insert the new oil filter into the filter housing. Replace the oil filter housing cap and tighten the bolt.

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How to Finance an Audi

1. Call dealers in your area and online. There are many ways to find the Audi of your choice. The best way to find your perfect Audi is by searching far and wide (and using multiple resources both online and in person). Do not let the financing aspect influence your decision--that can be worked out once you find the car you want.
2. Sit down with an authorized Audi finance counselor. Usually these counselors are only available at Audi dealerships. These professionals can walk you through the application process, the options and how your credit affects your prospective loan. You will have the option to either lease or purchase.
3. Ask for a complete breakdown of offers from the Audi counselor once you complete your application. You will likely be given several options for term (length of loan), interest rate and payment. Ask the loan counselor to run through your credit qualifications so that you understand the fees and rate involved.
4. Call a few local lenders and finance companies to get more options. Most credit unions, banks and finance companies offer some sort of auto financing. Fill out applications with these lenders. Narrow down what you think you can afford on the Audi payment--in terms of payment and term.
5. Pick an offer--either with a private lender or an Audi dealership--and turn down all other pending auto finance applications. Provide the winning loan officer with your income documents (pay stubs and W-2s) to complete the pre-approval and approval paperwork. Make sure to bring the down payment on the Audi (if applicable) to the loan closing.

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How to Install a CD Player in an S500

1. Lift the hood of the Mercedes to access the battery terminals. Loosen the bolt that secures the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal with an adjustable wrench or pliers. Remove the cable from the battery to avoid shorting the S500's electrical system during installation.
2. Slide the two flat Mercedes stereo removal keys (also called DIN removal tools) into the slits at the bottom corners of the factory radio. Push each tool into the openings until they lock into place.
3. Place your fingers in the loops at the ends of each respective key and pull outward. Maintain the tension on the keys while pulling the factory unit from the dashboard stereo dock.
4. Disconnect the wiring connectors plugged into the outlets on the radio's rear panel. Unplug the antenna cable from the back of the unit.
5. Slide the aftermarket stereo kit or installation sleeve into the empty stereo mounting dock. Place a flat screwdriver under the metal tabs inside the sleeve and bend them outward to secure the sleeve within the dock. Pull the stereo wiring and antenna cable from the back of the dock to the front of the Mercedes' dashboard.
6. Connect the stereo wiring to the wiring harness adapter. Plug both wiring connectors into the appropriate leads of the adapter.
7. Connect the wiring harness adapter lead connectors to the corresponding outlets on the back of the new CD player. Plug the antenna cable into the FM antenna input on the back of the new unit.
8. Slide the CD player into the sleeve (inside the vehicle's stereo dock) until it locks into place. Return to the S500's engine compartment.
9. Place the negative battery cable clamp back around the negative battery lead post. Tighten the clamp to the post using the wrench. Close the hood.

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How to Tell If the Transmission Is the Problem?

1. Look at your instrument panel for any warning light that identifies a transmission-related problem. Vehicles equipped with electronic, or computer controlled transmissions will indicate warnings such as a 'service engine soon' or a 'check engine' light. Some models will display the silhouette of a transmission on the instrument panel.
2. Hook up a code scanner tool to the universal wire jack at the bottom of the dashboard on the driver's side. Start the engine. Write down any code numbers that appear. Refer to a trouble code book to decipher the code description. If a problem results from the transmission, the code book will pinpoint the exact component failure, such as speed control or vacuum control sensor. You can take your vehicle and this information to a repair center to verify and repair the problem.
3. Use a floor jack to lift the vehicle high enough to place two jack stands under the front frame and two under the rear frame. Take a shop light and look at the sides, front and rear of the transmission housing. Any leak will be evident on the housing, as well as the front and end of the transmission housing where the front main seal and tail shaft seal sit.
4. Look on the floor for puddles. Look under the radiator where the transmission lines connect at the nut fittings. Transmission fluid has a red syrup color to it, unlike any other vehicle fluid, with the exception of the power steering fluid. A front or rear transmission seal, line or pan that leaks must have the gasket or seal replaced.
5. Inspect the transmission mount for breakage, if you have heard a heavy clunk upon rapid acceleration from a standing start. This noise results from the transmission slamming against the floorboard. Look at the fabric damper between the two mount supports. Try to push a large screwdriver in the seam and push up and down. If the transmission moves freely downward and the seam widens, it indicates a broken transmission mount. Remember: this clunking sound mirrors the sound of a broken engine mount.
6. Drive the vehicle normally for a while. If you notice slippage while the transmission shifts, this could be a low fluid level or contaminated fluid. Accelerate moderately and feel for any delayed or 'lag' in the shifting. Transmission slip happens with a low fluid level, burned or contaminated fluid or worn internal clutches and bands. In the case of a manual transmission, slippage results from a worn clutch and weak pressure plate. An engine that races without engaging the transmissions points to no fluid, a bad pump, or worn-out bands and clutches.
7. Pull the dip stick from the transmission fill tube and smell the fluid. Burnt automatic transmission fluid will have a bitter acrid smell to it. Burnt fluid will have a gritty texture to it when you rub it between your fingers, and appear brown in color. For a manual transmission, smell the gearbox case near the bell housing. Any burnt odor will indicated the asbestos fibers on the clutch have slipped and burned. The odor will be bitter and strong. Do not mistake it for a brake pad or brake shoe smell that originates from the front and back of the vehicle.
8. Feel for any vibration that radiates up through the chassis, while the engine idles. A clanking, humming or whining sound, in addition to the vibration will mean the transmission torque converter has misaligned or one of its mounting bolts have broken. A vibration at idle will rule out the the entire drive train and suspension. The only other vibrating component might be the crankshaft damper, also called the harmonic balancer. Yet the crankshaft damper will not produce such noises with its vibration.
9. Notice how easily or difficult the vehicle shifts into gear, if you have a manual transmission. A transmission that grinds while shifting or pops out of gear while driving indicates a worn synchromesh gear, which can not be attributed to any other component on the vehicle.

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