11 31 575 Adjusting Camshaft Timing (S85)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW M6, 2010 BMW M5, 2009 BMW M6, 2009 BMW M5, and 2008 BMW M6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

11 3 302
11 5 100
11 5 301
11 5 302
11 5 320

IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine in reverse direction.
Crank engine forward in clockwise direction only.
Risk of damage to VANOS gears.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove left VANOS adjustment unit .
Remove right VANOS adjustment unit .

IMPORTANT: Both inlet and exhaust camshafts can be adjusted in the 1st cylinder firing TDC position.
The procedure for checking timing is different from that for adjusting.

Secure special tool 115 320 to vibration damper in 1st cylinder firing TDC position.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool 115 320

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Position of inlet camshaft, cylinders 1-5.

Designation (E1) on dihedron points upwards.

Fig 2: Identifying Designation (E1) On Dihedron Points Upwards

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Position of inlet camshaft, cylinders 6-10.

Designation (E2) on dihedron points upwards.

Fig 3: Identifying Designation (E2) On Dihedron Points Upwards

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Rotate exhaust camshaft with open-end wrench (1) at hexagon head in direction of arrow until special tool A 11 5 301 can be attached.

Designation (A1) on dihedron points upwards.

NOTE: Exhaust VANOS gear (2) adjusted in direction of arrow (advance).

Fig 4: Rotating Exhaust Camshaft With Open-End Wrench

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Rotate exhaust camshaft at hexagon head with an open-end wrench (2) in direction of arrow until special tool A 11 3 302 can be attached.

Designation (A2) on dihedron points upwards.

NOTE: Exhaust VANOS gear (1) adjusted in direction of arrow (advance).

Fig 5: Rotating Exhaust Camshaft At Hexagon Head

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Remove spacers (1) from special tools E 11 5 301 and E 11 5 302.

Fig 6: Identifying Spacers, Special Tools E 11 5 301 And A 11 5 302

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Attach cylinder (1-5) special tools A 11 5 301 and E 11 5 301, secure with bolts (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tools A 11 5 301 And E 11 5 301

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Attach cylinder (6-10) special tools A 11 5 302 and E 11 5 302, secure with bolts (1).

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tools A 11 5 302 And E 11 5 302

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Release all hexagon socket screws with washers (1 and 2), cylinders 1-5 and 6-10.

Installation:

Replace hexagon socket screws with washers (1 and 2).

NOTE: Illustration shows cyl. 6-10.

Fig 9: Identifying Washers

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IMPORTANT: Do not release central bolt, cyl. 1-5.

Pull VANOS gear with outer sleeve forwards until inner sleeves (1 and 2) with elongated holes are at left stop.

Join hexagon socket screws with washers (3 and 4) to 5 Nm.

Installation:

Release hexagon socket screws with washers again through 90°.

Fig 10: Pulling VANOS Gear With Outer Sleeve Forwards (1 Of 2)

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IMPORTANT: Do not release central bolt, cyl. 6-10.

Pull VANOS gear with outer sleeve forwards until inner sleeves (1 and 2) with elongated holes are at left stop.

Join hexagon socket screws with washers (3 and 4) to 5 Nm.

Installation:

Release hexagon socket screws with washers again through 90°.

Fig 11: Pulling VANOS Gear With Outer Sleeve Forwards (2 Of 2)

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Installation:

Both thrust bearing plates (1) on the VANOS adjustment unit can be rotated.

Both thrust bearing plates (1) must be retracted.

Clean sealing surfaces.

Installation:

Replace seal.

Fig 12: Identifying Thrust Bearing Plates

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Installation:

VANOS adjustment units are marked to avoid being mixed up.

The lettering EIN (1) must point to the inlet camshaft.

Cylinder assignment (2), cyl. 1-5.

IMPORTANT: Risk of mixing up parts!

Fig 13: Identifying Lettering EIN On Inlet Camshaft (1 Of 2)

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Installation:

VANOS adjustment units are marked to avoid being mixed up.

The lettering EIN (1) must point to the inlet camshaft.

Cylinder assignment (2), cyl. 6-10.

IMPORTANT: Risk of mixing up parts!

Fig 14: Identifying Lettering EIN On Inlet Camshaft (2 Of 2)

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Insert seal.

Position VANOS adjustment unit (4) with both outer bolts (1).

Both VANOS gears (2) are extended.

Align thrust bearing plates (3).

Push VANOS adjustment unit (4) forwards until thrust bearing plates (3) rest against VANOS gears (2).

Installation:

There is a visible gap of approx. 8 mm between VANOS adjustment unit and cylinder head.

Fig 15: Identifying VANOS Adjustment Unit, Thrust Bearing Plates And VANOS Gears

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Insert hexagon socket screws without washers (1) and join.

Release hexagon socket screws without washers (1) through 90° again.

IMPORTANT: All hexagon socket screws with and without washers must be released through 90°.

Screw in bolts (2) of VANOS adjustment unit uniformly in 1/2 turns.

Fig 16: Locating VANOS Adjustment Unit Bolts

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Installation:

Both outer sleeves rotate clockwise and retract approx. 8 mm.

Both inner sleeves with elongated hole must rotate counterclockwise (see arrow).

The procedure is identical for cylinders 1-5 and 6-10.

Installation:

Check seal for correct seating.

Secure VANOS adjustment unit with screws (1 and 2).

Fig 17: Identifying VANOS Adjustment Unit Screws (1 Of 2)

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Installation:

Check seal for correct seating.

Secure VANOS adjustment unit with screws (1 and 2).

Fig 18: Identifying VANOS Adjustment Unit Screws (2 Of 2)

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Tighten down accessible hexagon socket screws of all camshafts at cylinders 1-5 and 6-10 with and without washers to 10 Nm.

Installation:

Mark all screws which are already tightened down with a colored dot.

Fig 19: Identifying Hexagon Socket Screws

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IMPORTANT: Remove all special tools - risk of damage!

Continue cranking engine at central bolt or with special tool 11 5 100 120° cms until further hexagon socket screws with and without washers can be inserted on the VANOS gear and tighten down to 10 Nm.

NOTE: First both the inlet camshafts are moved when the engine is cranked.

Both exhaust VANOS gears are moved in the direction of the arrow (retard stop).

Fig 20: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 100

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Check timing.

Assemble engine.