1988 BMW 735i Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1988 BMW 735i attaches to one specification only, a naturally aspirated 3.5L inline-six with a single overhead camshaft and gasoline fueling, carried in a four-door sedan sold in Base trim, and covers it through engine, driveline, chassis and body work. On a car of this age the value sits in the numbers: tightening figures, clearances, wear limits, and the wiring detail that makes an old harness legible again after years of previous repairs.

Engines covered

• 3.5L inline-six — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base

Known issues on the 1988 735i. One recall is on the federal record for this model year and it concerns overheating. When a cooling component such as the thermostat, water pump or fan belt fails, coolant temperature and pressure climb, and if the driver does not notice, a crack or a separated seam at the heater core end piece can suddenly expel hot coolant into the cabin. Owners logged 14 complaints, five of them on the engine and engine cooling, three on the seats and two on exterior lighting. Cooling system pressure testing, thermostat and pump procedures and the belt drive are documented here.