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Home >> BMW >> 2004 >> 525i Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Engine Control Systems >> Engine - Repair (M54) >> Camshaft >> 11 31 001 Replacing camshaft (M52TU / M54 / M56) >> Removal & Installation

Removal & Installation

(if necessary inlet or exhaust side)

The inlet or exhaust camshaft can be replaced in the vehicle.

IMPORTANT: Incorrect assembly/removal without special tools exposes the camshaft to the risk of preliminary damage or breakage. The valves may also be bent by contact with the piston crown. Comply without fail with the job instructions, recommended special tools and work sequence.

Removal 

Removal of camshafts is described separately from installation.

The assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Remove VANOS  adjustment unit.

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

Unfasten cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 1: Unfastening Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston
G03260590Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press down secondary chain tensioner at top and lock with special tool 11 3 292.

Fig 2: Pressing Down Secondary Chain Tensioner At Top And Lock With Special Tool
G03260591Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nuts, remove sensor gear (1).

Fig 3: Removing Sensor Gear
G03260592Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove plate spring (2).

Fig 4: Removing Plate Spring
G03260593Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nuts on inlet side and remove corrugated washer (7).

Fig 5: Removing Corrugated Washer
G03260594Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten screws.

Fig 6: Unfastening Screws
G03260595Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lift off exhaust and inlet chain wheels together with chain, friction washer (3) and toothed shaft (4).

NOTE: Toothed shaft (4) is and identical part for exhaust and inlet sides. Store used toothed shafts in order and reinstall on the same side only.
Fig 7: Lifting Off Exhaust And Inlet Chain Wheels
G03260596Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove toothed shaft (5) with toothed sleeve (6).

Fig 8: Removing Toothed Shaft With Toothed Sleeve
G03260597Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten screws. Remove secondary chain tensioner.

Fig 9: Removing Secondary Chain Tensioner
G03260598Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw-in pin.

Fig 10: Releasing Screw-In Pin
G03260599Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed chain wheel (1) towards front out of timing chain (2).

Fig 11: Feeding Chain Wheel Towards Front Out Of Timing Chain
G03260600Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: Timing chain remains positioned over exhaust camshaft.
Fig 12: Locating Timing Chain
G03260601Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, release screw-in pin on inlet side.

Remove thrust washer.

Fig 13: Removing Thrust Washer
G03260602Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove sensor gear.

Fig 14: Removing Sensor Gear
G03260603Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Do "not" release these screws.
Fig 15: Locating Screws
G03260604Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unscrew studs.

Fig 16: Unscrewing Studs
G03260605Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull special tool 11 2 300 back until flywheel is no longer secured in position.

Fig 17: Securing Flywheel
G03260606Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: To prevent damaging valves when fitting the camshafts, no pistons should be in TDC position.

Lift timing chain and hold under tension.

Rotate engine against direction of engine rotation approx. 30° using the central bolt.

Fig 18: Lifting Timing Chain And Holding Under Tension
G03260607Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Bearing cap 1 of inlet camshaft is centered with adapter sleeves.

To prevent inlet camshaft from tilting in bearing strip, release nuts and remove bearing cap 1.

Fig 19: Locating Bearing Cap 1 Of Inlet Camshaft
G03260608Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit special tool 11 3 260 to cylinder head and screw into spark plug threads in cylinders 1 and 4.

Fig 20: Fitting Special Tool To Cylinder Head
G03260609Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Turn the eccentric shaft to tension the bearing caps.

Unfasten nuts on bearing cover.

Fig 21: Turning Eccentric Shaft To Tension Bearing Caps
G03260610Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Relieve tension on eccentric shaft and remove special tool 11 3 260.

Remove bearing covers and place to one side in orderly fashion. Remove camshaft.

Fig 22: Removing Bearing Covers
G03260611Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: If the cylinder head is then to be removed, remove complete bearing strip with bucket tappets.
Locate bucket tappets in bearing strip with special tool 11 3 250.
Lift out complete bearing strip with bucket tappet.
NOTE: Only re-use used bucket tappets in the same tappet bore.
Fig 23: Locating Bucket Tappets In Bearing Strip With Special Tool
G03260612Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check bearing points on bucket tappets for signs of wear (scoring).

Fig 24: Checking Bearing Points On Bucket Tappets For Signs Of Wear
G03260613Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing strips are marked "A" for exhaust side and "E" for inlet side.

Fig 25: Identifying Bearing Strips
G03260614Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Note centering dowels on retaining pins at bearing points 2 and 7.

Install bearing strips.

Fig 26: Installing Bearing Strips
G03260615Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation 

Installation of camshafts is described separately from removal.

The assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

NOTE: Camshafts, bearings and bearing caps, friction washers, all splines on toothed shafts and spline hubs must be oiled before installation.
IMPORTANT: The bucket tappets expand when not subjected to load by the camshaft and therefore require some time before they can be pushed back down. During a rapid assembly sequence, the "closed" valves may still be open and be in contact with the piston.

Comply with following waiting periods after installing camshaft and before cranking engine back to TDC position.

Pull up timing chain and feed in exhaust camshaft.

Position timing chain on exhaust camshaft.

Fig 27: Positioning Timing Chain On Exhaust Camshaft
G03260616Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install camshafts so that cam tips on inlet and exhaust valves on 1st cylinder face one another.

Fig 28: Installing Camshafts
G03260617Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit bearing cover.

NOTE: Bearing caps are marked from exhaust side:

A1... A7 for exhaust side

E1... E7 for inlet side

Fig 29: Fitting Bearing Cover
G03260618Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit special tool 11 3 260 to cylinder head and screw into spark plug threads in cylinders 1 and 4.

Fig 30: Fitting Special Tool To Cylinder Head
G03260619Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Turn the eccentric shaft to tension the bearing caps.

Tighten down bearing cover.

Tightening torque, see 11 31 1AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Remove special tool 11 3 260.

Fig 31: Turning Eccentric Shaft To Tension Bearing Caps
G03260620Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Do not damage the cylinder head.

If necessary, machine open-end wrench accordingly.

Align camshafts with open-end wrench.

Fig 32: Aligning Camshafts With Open-End Wrench
G03260621Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 33: Fitting Special Tool To Camshafts On Cylinder 6
G03260622Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 34: Attaching Special Tool
G03260623Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lift timing chain and hold under tension.

Turn engine from 30° before TDC position in direction of rotation as far as TDC position.

Fig 35: Lifting Timing Chain And Holding Under Tension
G03260624Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

IMPORTANT: Remove special tool 11 2 300 before starting engine.
Fig 36: Securing Crankshaft In Firing TDC Position With Special Tool
G03260625Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Automatic transmissions only: 

Illustration does not show automatic transmission.

IMPORTANT: On engines with automatic transmissions, there is shortly before the special tool bore (1) a large bore (2) which can be confused with the special tool bore.

If special tool 11 2 300 is secured in the correct bore (1), the engine can no longer be cranked at the central bolt.

Fig 37: Securing Crankshaft (Automatic Transmissions)
G03260626Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position sensor gear on inlet camshaft.

Fig 38: Positioning Sensor Gear On Inlet Camshaft
G03260627Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit thrust washer and tighten down with dowels.

Tightening torque, see 11 31 11AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 39: Fitting Thrust Washer And Tightening Down With Dowels
G03260628Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed chain wheel onto timing chain so that arrow on chain wheel faces separating face of upper side of cylinder head.

Fig 40: Feeding Chain Wheel Onto Timing Chain
G03260629Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert special tool 11 4 220 in cylinder head and bring adjustment screw into contact with tensioning rail, but do not pretension timing chain yet.

Check arrow on chain wheel to separating face of upper side of cylinder head, reposition chain wheel if necessary.

Fig 41: Inserting Special Tool In Cylinder Head
G03260630Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert and tighten down screw-in pin.

Tightening torque, see 11 31 11AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 42: Inserting And Tightening Down Screw-In Pin
G03260631Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install secondary chain tensioner.

Fig 43: Installing Secondary Chain Tensioner
G03260632Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit toothed sleeve (6) and align to toothed shaft in camshaft so that tooth gaps are opposed.

Fig 44: Fitting Toothed Sleeve And Aligning To Toothed Shaft In Camshaft
G03260633Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure toothed shaft (5).

Insert pin of toothed shaft (5) into tooth gaps of splines on camshaft and toothed sleeve (6).

Fig 45: Securing Toothed Shaft
G03260634Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Push in toothed shaft (5) until the longitudinal holes in the toothed sleeve (6) are positioned centrally with respect to the thread.

Fig 46: Pushing In Toothed Shaft
G03260635Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Place chain wheels in special tool 11 6 180, position tooth gap on inlet chain wheel as shown in illustration and feed on chain.

Fig 47: Placing Chain Wheels In Special Tool
G03260636Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Do not alter position of chain wheels with respect to chain when removing from special tool 11 6 180.

Remove chain with sprocket wheels positioned from special tool 11 6 180 and so that tooth spaces oppose each other on inlet side.

Fig 48: Removing Chain With Sprocket Wheels
G03260637Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align chain with sprocket wheels so that tooth spaces are positioned exactly over each other on inlet side.

Fig 49: Aligning Chain With Sprocket Wheels
G03260638Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure toothed shaft (4).

Insert pin of toothed shaft (4) into tooth gaps of splines on camshaft and chain wheel.

Fig 50: Securing Toothed Shaft
G03260639Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Push in toothed shaft (4) until approx. 1 mm of splines can still be seen.

Fig 51: Pushing In Toothed Shaft
G03260640Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Note installation direction of corrugated washer (7), "FRONT" lettering must be visible.

Install corrugated washer, tighten nuts by hand but do not tighten down fully yet.

Fig 52: Installing Corrugated Washer
G03260641Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert screws on exhaust side, initially tighten to approx. 5 Nm and then slacken off again half a turn.

Fig 53: Inserting Screws On Exhaust Side
G03260642Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit thrust washer (3).

Fig 54: Fitting Thrust Washer
G03260643Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Note installation direction of cup spring (2), "F" lettering must be visible.

NOTE: If "F" lettering is no longer visible on an engine that has been run:

Install cup spring (2) so that small locating diameter of spring (2) points to sensor gear.

Fit cup spring (2) in position.

Fig 55: Installing Cup Spring
G03260644Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position sensor gear (1) so that arrow on sensor gear faces separating face of upper side of cylinder head.

Install nuts and tighten by hand but do not tighten down fully yet.

Fig 56: Positioning Sensor Gear
G03260645Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Withdraw toothed shaft (5) up to stop.

Fig 57: Withdrawing Toothed Shaft
G03260646Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 58: Pressing Down Secondary Chain Tensioner
G03260647Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 59: Preloading Tensioning Rail With Special Tool
G03260648Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

IMPORTANT: Do not tighten down nuts fully.
Fig 60: Preloading Cup Spring Slightly By Pressing On Sensor Gear
G03260649Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove gasket.

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

Keep sealing face clean and free of oil.

Fig 61: Checking Dowel Sleeves For Damage
G03260650Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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 62: Fitting Special Tool "Without Gasket" Only
G03260651Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 63: Inserting Screws On Exhaust Side
G03260652Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 64: Tightening Nuts On Exhaust Side
G03260653Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down screws (1) on exhaust side.

Tightening torque, see 11 31 3AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 65: Tightening Down Screws On Exhaust Side
G03260654Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Tightening torque, see 11 31 11AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 66: Tightening Down Nuts On Exhaust Side And Nuts On Inlet Side
G03260655Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull special tool 11 2 300 back until flywheel is no longer secured in position.

Fig 67: Securing Flywheel
G03260656Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 68: Removing Special Tools
G03260657Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 69: Aligning Cam Tips On Inlet And Exhaust Camshafts
G03260658Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

IMPORTANT: Do not turn the engine back.

Remove special tool 11 2 300 before switching on the engine.

Fig 70: Securing Crankshaft In Firing TDC Position With Special Tool
G03260659Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit special tool 11 3 240 to camshafts.

Fig 71: Fitting Special Tool To Camshafts (1 Of 2)
G03260660Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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 72: Fitting Special Tool To Camshafts (2 Of 2)
G03260661Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove special tool 11 6 150.

Install VANOS adjustment unit.

Assemble engine.

Fig 73: Installing VANOS Adjustment Unit
G03260662Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.