11 31 505 Adjusting camshaft timing (M52TU / M54 / M56)

Special tools required:

00 9 250
11 2 300
11 3 240
11 3 244
11 3 292
11 4 220
11 5 180
11 6 150

(refer to 11 31 005 Checking camshaft timing (M52TU / M54 / M56) Operation No. 11 31 005)

Before carrying out adjustment work:

Check camshaft timing.

Crank engine in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face one another.

Fig 1: Identifying Crankshaft

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Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 2 300 in TDC position of 1st cylinder.

X3 only:

Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 5 180 in TDC position of 1st cylinder.

IMPORTANT: Do not turn the engine back.
Remove special tools 11 2 300 / 11 5 180 before starting engine.

Fig 2: Securing Crankshaft With Special Tool

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Unscrew studs.

Fig 3: Unscrewing Studs

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Remove double VANOS adjustment unit. See 11 36 010 Removing and installing or replacing double VANOS adjustment unit (M52TU / M54 / M56)

Press down top of chain tensioner and lock off with special tool 11 3 292.

Fig 4: Pressing Down Top Of Chain Tensioner & Lock Off With Special Tool

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IMPORTANT: Cylinder for chain tensioning piston is under spring pressure.

Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 5: Removing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Install special tool 11 4 220.

Fit adjusting screw to bow cover.

Fig 6: Fitting Adjusting Screw To Bow Cover

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Release screws (1) by half a turn.

Fig 7: Releasing Screws By Half A Turn

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Release nuts (2) by two turns.

Release nuts (3) by one turn.

Fig 8: Releasing Nuts By Two Turns

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IMPORTANT: Toothed shaft (4) slips very easily from splines.

Pull out toothed shaft (4) until approx. 1 mm of splines can be seen.

Fig 9: Pulling Out Toothed Shaft

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Withdraw toothed shaft (5) up to stop.

Fig 10: Withdrawing Toothed Shaft

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Fit special tool 11 3 240 to camshafts on cylinder 6. Align camshafts so that special tool 11 3 240 rests without gaps on cylinder head.

Fig 11: Fitting Special Tool

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Attach special tool 11 3 244 to special tool 11 3 240 and locate by way of spark plug thread.

Fig 12: Attaching Special Tool

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Press down chain tensioner at top and remove special tool 11 3 292.

Fig 13: Pressing Down Chain Tensioner

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Preload tensioning rail with special tool 11 4 220 by rotating adjusting screw with special tool 00 9 250 or standard torque wrench to 0.7 Nm.

Fig 14: Preloading Tensioning Rail With Special Tool

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Preload cup spring slightly by pressing on sensor gear (1) and tighten nuts by hand.

IMPORTANT: Do not tighten down nuts fully.

Fig 15: Preloading Cup Spring Slightly By Pressing On Sensor Gear

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Remove gasket.

Check dowel sleeves (1) for damage and correct installation position.

Keep sealing face clean and free of oil.

Fig 16: Removing Gasket

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IMPORTANT: Fit special tool 11 6 150 "without gasket" only.
If gasket remains underneath special tool 11 6 150, camshaft timing will be "incorrectly" set.

Attach special tool 11 6 150 "without gasket", tighten nuts by hand and then tighten down uniformly until special tool 11 6 150 is in full contact with cylinder head.

Fig 17: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 150 Without Gasket

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Insert screws (1) on exhaust side and initially tighten to approx. 5 Nm.

Fig 18: Inserting Screws On Exhaust Side

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Initially tighten nuts (2) on exhaust side and nuts (3) on inlet side to approx. 5 Nm.

Fig 19: Initially Tightening Nuts

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Tighten down screws (1) on exhaust side.

Tightening torque. Refer to ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 3-SERIES (E46) .

Fig 20: Tightening Down Screws

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Tighten down nuts (2) on exhaust side and nuts (3) on inlet side.

Tightening torque. Refer to ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 3-SERIES (E46) .

Fig 21: Tightening Down Nuts On Exhaust Side

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Pull special tool 11 2 300 / 11 5 180 back until flywheel is no longer secured.

Fig 22: Pulling Special Tool 11 2 300 / 11 5 180 Back

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Remove special tool 11 3 244 and special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 23: Removing Special Tool

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Crank engine twice in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face one another.

Fig 24: Cranking Engine Twice In Direction Of Rotation

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Secure crankshaft in firing TDC position with special tool 11 2 300.

X3 only:

Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 5 180 in TDC position of 1st cylinder.

IMPORTANT: Do not turn the engine back.
Remove special tools 11 2 300 / 11 5 180 before starting engine.

Fig 25: Securing Crankshaft In Firing TDC Position With Special Tool

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Fit special tool 11 3 240 to camshafts.

Fig 26: Fitting Special Tool 11 3 240 To Camshafts

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NOTE: The timing is correctly set if the special tool 11 3 240 rests without a gap on the cylinder head or protrudes up to 1 mm to the inlet side.

The timing must be reset if the special tool 11 3 240 protrudes to the exhaust side.

Fig 27: Setting Table

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Unfasten and remove special tool 11 4 220.

Fig 28: Unfastening & Removing Special Tool

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Install cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 29: Installing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Remove special tool 11 2 300 / 11 5 180.

Fig 30: Removing Special Tool 11 2 300 / 11 5 180

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Remove special tool 11 6 150.

Install VANOS adjustment unit.

Assemble engine.

Fig 31: Removing Special Tool

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