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Here are some old pictures I took in an effort to create a simple instruction for DIY oil change. I know most on this forum know how to change their oil already, but I didn't spot any DIY oil change on here. (forgive me if I over looked it).
This is a good first DIY for those new to BMWs and DIYing. As most of you know, DIYing is an integral part to maintaining an E36 and this is a good first step in working on the car yourself.
1) Jack up the front of the car. For lowered cars you may be forced to use the OEM jack kit in the trunk. Place jack stands under the hockey pucks on each side of the to make sure that it is stable.
2) With an oil catch pan ready, loosen the oil drain plug. It is 17mm.
3) Let the oil drain into the pan and go put the hood on the car
4) Now on the top side of the engine bay, locate the oil filter canister
5) Undo the top of screw on the filter cap (13mm) and remove the lid. With the lid remove grab the filter out (have newspaper or a bin ready as it will probably be full of oil and start leaking)
6) Grab the OEM oil filter kit (you did buy one ahead of time, didn't you?)
7) Contents of the OEM filter kit: new filter, new gasktets for the filter lid and a small rubber gasket for the filter canister screw. Also a crush washer for the oil drain plug
8) Using a small screw driver replace the gaskets on the filter cap lid and the end of the long screw from the filter canister. To make sure they seal good and push on into the proper area use a dab of oil around each gasket.
9) At this point feel free to clean up the filter housing and lid with a clean rag. Place the new filter into the canister. Replace the lid with the new gasket and insert and tighten down the the long bolt for the filter canister with the new silver washer provided in the OEM filter kit. Tighten the bolt to 15 to 18 ft-lbs
10) By now the oil should be done draining. Put the new crush washer (copper in color) on the end of the drain plug and tighten it to the oil pan. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!! It does not need Hercules strengthen to seal the drain plug. Roughly 25 ft-lbs if you have a torque wrench
11) With the drain plug now in place, move to the top and undo the oil filter fill cap. Using a funnel add your choice of oil to the car. I typically used 15w50 mobil gold cap in the summer months. US E36 M3s take 6.9 quarts of oil
12) Safely put the car back on the ground. Check the oil with the dip stick. I recommend checking the oil level again after the next short drive you take in the car and really is easily done at every gas fill up.
Enjoy
Here are some old pictures I took in an effort to create a simple instruction for DIY oil change. I know most on this forum know how to change their oil already, but I didn't spot any DIY oil change on here. (forgive me if I over looked it).
This is a good first DIY for those new to BMWs and DIYing. As most of you know, DIYing is an integral part to maintaining an E36 and this is a good first step in working on the car yourself.
1) Jack up the front of the car. For lowered cars you may be forced to use the OEM jack kit in the trunk. Place jack stands under the hockey pucks on each side of the to make sure that it is stable.
2) With an oil catch pan ready, loosen the oil drain plug. It is 17mm.
3) Let the oil drain into the pan and go put the hood on the car
4) Now on the top side of the engine bay, locate the oil filter canister
5) Undo the top of screw on the filter cap (13mm) and remove the lid. With the lid remove grab the filter out (have newspaper or a bin ready as it will probably be full of oil and start leaking)
6) Grab the OEM oil filter kit (you did buy one ahead of time, didn't you?)
7) Contents of the OEM filter kit: new filter, new gasktets for the filter lid and a small rubber gasket for the filter canister screw. Also a crush washer for the oil drain plug
8) Using a small screw driver replace the gaskets on the filter cap lid and the end of the long screw from the filter canister. To make sure they seal good and push on into the proper area use a dab of oil around each gasket.
9) At this point feel free to clean up the filter housing and lid with a clean rag. Place the new filter into the canister. Replace the lid with the new gasket and insert and tighten down the the long bolt for the filter canister with the new silver washer provided in the OEM filter kit. Tighten the bolt to 15 to 18 ft-lbs
10) By now the oil should be done draining. Put the new crush washer (copper in color) on the end of the drain plug and tighten it to the oil pan. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!! It does not need Hercules strengthen to seal the drain plug. Roughly 25 ft-lbs if you have a torque wrench
11) With the drain plug now in place, move to the top and undo the oil filter fill cap. Using a funnel add your choice of oil to the car. I typically used 15w50 mobil gold cap in the summer months. US E36 M3s take 6.9 quarts of oil
12) Safely put the car back on the ground. Check the oil with the dip stick. I recommend checking the oil level again after the next short drive you take in the car and really is easily done at every gas fill up.
Enjoy
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