# Condenser, remove and install.

Note: This procedure requires recovery of the air conditioning refrigerant. See an appropriately certified air conditioning technician to have this recovery performed before commencing any air conditioning system repair.
Hold water pump pulley (green arrow) with BMW special tool 11 5 030, or with a large set of "water pump" pliers. |
Remove fan (yellow arrow above) with BMW special tool 11 5 040 or similar slim 32mm wrench.
An alternative to using pliers is to install the wrench and strike wrench sharply with a hammer in a clockwise direction.
NOTE: Left hand thread, turn wrench as if to tighten a regular bolt, to remove the fan.
Remove the 10 mm bolt from the radiator bracket and push radiator towards the engine. There is no need to open the cooling system. |
NOTE: The following six steps are for removing the front bumper. It is not usually necessary to remove the bumper to replace the condenser, however, it is a very simple procedure and it makes the job considerably easier.
Disconnect turn signals (green arrows), fog lights (red arrows) and ambient temperature sensor (yellow arrow, left side of car). |  |
Remove 10mm screw (green arrow) and 8mm screw (red arrow) from the splash shield in front of the wheel well. |
Pry out side markers and disconnect wiring. Feed wires back through bumper. |
Pry off bolt covers in bumper cover. |
Remove the 19mm nut below each cover. |
Slide bumper forward to remove, disengaging splash shields as doing so. |
Remove the three clips (green arrows) and two Phillips screws (blue arrows) from right side grille. Pull grille away from headlights to remove. |
Disconnect condenser fitting behind grille. |
Disconnect lower condenser fitting. |
Remove the three 8mm nut and bolt assemblies securing auxiliary fan to condenser. Pull fan away from condenser and secure. |
Remove two 10mm bolts securing condenser to top of condenser to radiator support. Radiator removed for photographic clarity. |
Lift condenser up between radiator and support panel. |

### Installation:

Original condensers have the rubber fan mount grommets in holes on brackets. Genuine replacement condensers have slots in the brackets to make installation of the grommets easier. Use a screwdriver to pry the grommets from the old condenser. Place the grommet on the opening of the new condenser's bracket, place the screwdriver through the hole in the grommet and gently push down on the screwdriver, with the condenser lying face up on a flat surface. This method will allow you to slip the grommets into the brackets easily with no risk of damage to the fragile condenser from the screwdriver.
Sides of bumper have brackets that mate with slots on the body. |  |
Slide bumper straight in, checking position of side brackets. |
Push inner fender sections into place behind bumper cover. |

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson