[bmwboy88]

I'm trying to do my own oil this weekend and I'm wondering if I need to use a torgue wrench as suggested by some of the members to tighten the oil cap at 18lbs.

Can I just use a regular wrench to tighten it?

Can someone please advise?

BMWBOY88

 

[E28Fiend]

I did mine. I turned it until it began getting tight and then turned it a 1/4 turn more......when I went to BMW for my first oil service, they probably tightened it with a impact wrench...we'll see in a couple thousand miles....

 

[tim330i]

if you do it yourself without a torque wrench be careful not to over torque the plug. The plug is hollow and some member have broken it by over torquing.

Tim

 

[bmwboy88]

to be on the safe side, I will go and buy a torgue wrench.
How do I know when I need to stop tightening using a torgue wrench? Is there a stop mechanism?
sorry for these newbie questions.

 

[04ragtop]

Yes, the wrench will tell you when to stop. Most types have a release that will begin to slip when you hit the desired torque amount. Some have a meter that shows when you've reached the amount.

 

[Commander FAT]

Some torque wrenches make a very audible click noise. Don't retorque with a torque wrench after it indicates that you're at the proper torque.

dave

 

[bmwboy88]

Thanks everyone for your posts!

 

[Commander FAT]

Oh, also, if you want to use a torque wrench for the drain plug and oil filter cap make sure the torque wrench can be set as low as the specs for those two parts. My torque wrench won't go low enough for the drain plug and oil filter cap.

dave