So you wanna replace your E46 coil packs, huh? Is your E46 stumbling?

E46 COIL PACKS

There's been a rash of coil packs going out lately. Your E46 stumbling? After many heat cycles, the coil pack expands and contracts several hundreds and thousands of times causing the internals to break electrical contact. This contact can become intermittent or complete broken causing your ignition failing to deliver spark to the combustion chamber resulting in poor performance and stumbling. Replace your coil packs! Keep in mind depending on your E46, the coil packs can be different. They're either the larger square coil packs or the newer smaller rounder coil packs.  The valve cover is different! These are the exact Bosch units I had on my car. Free Prime Shipping! 

Note I recommend replacing all SIX!  At about 150,000 miles, these have just about run the course.  They're smoked by heat fatigue.  These WILL leave you stranded or stumbling on the freeway--ask me how I know! Heat is their number one enemy.  The pre 9/02 part is also the same for all BMW E36 models. 

The install is easy.  A small 3/8" drive ratchet and 10mm socket is all you need.  A flat tip screw driver helps lift the coil plug latch off on the older models. Newer models you just use your fingers.  Voila!

PRE 9/02 Build Date BMW E46 Coil Pack  -- Note the rectangle plug (Check your model!)

POST 9/02 Build Date BMW E46 Coil Pack -- (Note the hinge type clasp and overall smaller head profile)

And don't forget to add 6 of these BKR6EQUP

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Mango Definitive E46 Pulley Guide DIY - So you wanna replace your pulleys huh?

E46 PULLEYS.  Yeah. That Mango Guide.

This blog post will help you decide what pulleys you have and what to buy based on the setup of your particular car. 

Your M5X and S54 engines have three belt-driven tensioner pulleys. The role of the tensioner is either to provide belt-spacing/traction and to quell crankshaft vibrations due to irregular accelerations from the crankshaft. This is done to prolong the life of belt-driven accessories and likely to quiet engine operation.

When should you replace your pulleys?

If your pulleys are original: replace them.

If you don't know how old they are: replace them.

If they are noisy or have excess play: replace them.

If they have 60,000 or more miles: replace them.


This is a crude diagram of the front of an M5X engine: 

Pulley 1:

There is only ONE part number that all E46s share (E36 S50 and S52 as well). There are some rare instances where some people have reported their car doesn't have this pulley. Always check before you buy!! 

Notice the big nub sticking out of it: 

Pulley 2: 

Main tensioner pulley. Your non-M E46 could have either a hydraulic tensioner or mechanical tensioner. 

Look at your engine bay with a flash light and/or feel around the tensioner.

If you have this tensioner unit:

YOU NEED THIS PULLEY:

If you have this mechanical ROUND tensioner with HEX-shaped NUT sticking out of it like this: 

You need the following: Dayco 89133 purchased at either Amazon or your local Autozone. It may be under a different part number or name, but if you ask for an a/c tensioner for your E46, it will be the correct part. 

This is how the Mechanical Tensioner Dayco 89133 pulley looks (Note the size of center bearing race)

Pulley 3: 

A/C pulley.

If your A/C pulley uses a MECHANICAL tensioner as well, you'll again use the Dayco 89133 pulley.

Remember: if the tensioner is round and has a 15mm or 5/8" hex-shaped nut sticking out of it, it's mechanical and you NEED the Dayco pulley.

Both types of tensioners use different pulleys and the BMW factory installs BOTH mechanical and hydraulic tensioners for the A/C through out the E46 model years 99-06.

Install tips:

If mechanical, you can use a 16mm or 5/8" socket turned clockwise to ease tension on the tensioner for purposes of removing the belt. Use an extension on your ratchet for extra leverage. Safely remove belt. Then insert appropriate torx or allen-head socket into actual tensioner bolt and turn counter-clockwise to remove bolt that holds the tensioner in.

If hydraulic, you use the bolt that goes through the tensioner to both relieve tension and remove the pulley.

BONUS:

If you want to change the ACTUAL tensioners themselves:

Hydraulic:

Mechanical:

Links to buy:

Mechanical Tensioner w/ Pulley (Build date 9/02+) - Newer
Mechanical Tensioner w/ Pulley (Build date up to 9/02)

Common E46 setups: One alternator deflector pulley aka idler pulley, one hydraulic pulley for the main belt, one mechanical pulley for the a/c. (That's how my setup is on my 2002 330i)

Another setup I've seen is: One alternator deflector pulley aka idler pulley, and TWO mechanical pulleys (aka Dayco 89133 pulley) I've seen this on a 2004 330ci.

Your particular setup may vary!

Links and brands subject to change! Verify before buying!

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The Ultimate E46 Tool Guide

So you want to work on your E46, huh?

The ultimate tool guide. By E46Mango

Over my 10 years working with the E46 platform.  Here are the tools which I think you'll find helpful.  Starting with the most common to the least common.  Always practice safety when working on your car, work with a friend, and always consult a professional service manual or professional mechanic if you are inexperienced or not sure about what you are doing.  This guide is for educational purposes for new E46 owners who may want to learn how to work on their car. =)

BMW E46 Service Manual - A no brainer!

Metric Socket Set - The most common sizes you'll need are 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm.  Just get the whole set. I recommend both in 3/8" drive (big ratchet) and 1/4" drive (small ratchet) Also recommend a deep socket metric socket set 3/8" drive.

External Torx Socket Set 3/8" Drive - You'll need these mostly for the rear axles if you ever need to remove them. Get them in 3/8" drive. You can also get a complete set here

Torx Socket Set - These are the male versions of the torx set.  You'll encounter tons of these in your BMW.  Mostly for cooling system and other electronics parts.

Breaker Bar - You'll need this for  busting stubborn bolts/nuts.  Do not use a torque wrench for this or you'll damage it. It's not designed for massive brute force fastener popping. Great for removing wheel bolts too.

Torque Wrench - Get 3/8" drive torque wrench and a 1/4" drive torque wrench for smaller jobs.

Open ended wrenche set metric - Very commonly used.  Get sizes from 5mm to 22mm

Ratchet set (3/8") and (1/4") drives

Rubber Mallet - Good for control arm bushings

Impact driver - good for rotor retaining screws

Brake piston tool - good for depressing the brake piston in when doing a brake job

Tool Box - good for holding your tools!

Ratcheting wrench set! - For hard to access fasteners so you don't wear out your arms!

LED Flashlight - See what you are doing!

E46 Rear Axle Service Kit - For rear ball joints and rear bushings on the control arm.  A definite must! Safety first.

Safety glasses - Protect your eyes

MIS RTAB tool - For RTABs. No substitute (sorry no link--google!)

36mm socket (for your oil filer changes)

Oil extractor -- great for quick and fast oil changes! This pulls oil directly from the bottom of the pan including most of the gunk!  No need to go under the car!

Deep socket 17mm (for wheel bolts) - don't scratch your wheels!

Screwdriver set - Priceless

Jack stands - Safety first

Low profile jack - Safety first

BMW Hockey puck adapter - So you support your E46 properly by its rubber jack pads.

1/2" drive breaker bar/torque wrench extension - Extension is great so you don't scratch your car body when removing your wheel bolts. 

3/8" drive torque wrench - absolute must.

Allen key set -- you'll come across these on sensors

Brake bleeder BMW - one man bleed job! Pressurized!

Tire pressure gauge digital - Keep the most important part of your E46 optimized!

Rhino Ramps Car Ramps - Great for doing jobs where you don't need to remove the wheels. Oil changes or sway bars or just general inspection or fuel filters!

Assorted hose clamps - great for emergencies or fuel filter hoses

BMW fan clutch tool - necessary for automatic E46 fan removal/cooling system job

Adjustable Wrench - all purpose for those hard to reach fasteners

Punch Set - you'll need these for some jobs such as rear wheel bearings

Front wheel drive wheel bearing service kit (for the BMW E36 and E46 rear wheel bearings)

Stubby screwdriver set - For hard to reach screws

Hammer - for miscellaneous uses.  Trust me all of us need a hammer at some point or another

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Happy motoring,

-Mango