On a car with an automatic gearbox, the engine can only be started in positions «R» or «ABOUT» selector lever.
BMW «528», «525», «520»
The engine has two carburetors with an automatic starting device.
Starting a cold engine
Turn on the starting device by sharply pressing all the way down and releasing the accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, insert the ignition key into the lock and turn on the starter by turning the key to position «3», without depressing the accelerator pedal. Do not turn on the starter for more than 10-15 s.
If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn off the ignition by turning the key to the «1», to prevent the starter from restarting while the engine is running, which could damage the flywheel ring gear and starter. After 20-30 seconds, turn on the starter again.
If the engine does not start after several attempts despite the air/fuel mixture having ignited several times, depress and release the accelerator pedal sharply again and try starting the engine again.
In no case do not press the accelerator pedal several times to avoid overfilling the carburetors.
To facilitate starting the engine at low ambient temperatures, it is recommended to turn off all consumers of electricity and depress the clutch pedal to the full.
Immediately after starting the engine, the crankshaft rotates at a high frequency: 2500-3000 rpm. After a few seconds, depress the accelerator pedal again and the engine speed will drop to fast idle.
After warming up the engine (the pointer of the coolant temperature gauge is between the two colored zones of the scale) automatically set to normal idle.
Hot engine start
Do not press the accelerator pedal before starting the engine.
Starting a very hot engine
Fully depress the accelerator pedal and engage the starter.
BMW «518»
1st modification
Depending on the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the ambient air, before turning on the starter, pull out the carburetor choke cover handle to the following positions:
- at an ambient temperature above +10°C: the handle is pulled out to the first fixed position;
- at an ambient temperature below +10°C: the handle is pulled out to failure;
- at an ambient temperature below -10°C, after turning on the starter, sharply press the accelerator pedal several times to supply a small amount of fuel to the intake manifold.
Notes. The carburetor choke cover handle is located to the right of the steering column cover.
2nd modification
The engine carburetor has the same automatic starter as on «520».
BMW «520i»
The engine is equipped with an automatic engine start and warm-up system.
Starting device
Fuel is injected into the engine intake manifold by a special solenoid injector controlled by a start circuit. The duration of fuel injection depends on the temperature of the coolant. After starting the engine, an automatic warm-up device ensures that the working mixture is enriched, also depending on the temperature of the coolant.
Engine start
When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal. After starting, depress the accelerator pedal for a short time. After starting the engine, you can start driving at medium engine speeds. After the engine enters the fast idle mode, the oil pressure and battery charge warning lamps should go out.
The frequency of adjusting the clearances in the valve drive mechanism
Every 15,000 km, check and adjust the clearances in the valve drive mechanism.