11 25 530 Removing and installing/replacing all pistons (S63)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5 M, 2012 BMW X5 M, 2011 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5 M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

WARNING: Protective goggles must be worn when working on the gudgeon pin circlip.

IMPORTANT: If pistons and connecting rods are reused, they must be reinstalled in the same places.
Piston and piston pin are matched to each other and can only be replaced as a pair.
Connecting rod and connecting rod bearing cap are cracked.
Identification is effected by means of identical pairing letters on the connecting rod big end.

Mixing up the components will result in engine damage.

Connecting rod bearings must always be replaced.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove ENGINE .
Mount engine on assembly stand.
Remove both cylinder heads . See 11 12 105 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT CYLINDER HEAD (S63) or 11 12 106 REMOVING AND INSTALLING RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD (S63) .
Remove oil sump . See 11 13 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING UPPER OIL SUMP SECTION (S63) or 11 13 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LOWER OIL SUMP SECTION (S63) .
Remove OIL PUMP .

Unscrew connecting rod bearing cap.

NOTE: Connecting rods and connecting rod bearing caps are denoted with the same pairing letters.
The stamped dates are always arranged in opposite directions.
Set down connecting rod bearing caps in order.

Fig 1: Locating Connecting Rods And Connecting Rod Bearing Caps Pairing Letters

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: To install and remove the connecting rods, it is essential for the crankshaft to be exactly in alignment with the cylinder bore (see dashed line).

Position crankshaft at central bolt.

Insert special tool 11 8 152 into connecting rod.

Screw special tool 11 5 440 into connecting rod with bolt (1).

Remove connecting rod with piston from cylinder head side.

Fig 2: Removing Connecting Rod With Piston From Cylinder Head

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Piston and piston bolts are paired and must not be fitted individually.

Lift out retaining ring and press out piston pin.

Fig 3: Lifting Out Circlip

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If necessary, replace connecting rods.

NOTE: The connecting rods can also be replaced individually.
The gudgeon pin must be able to be pressed through the liner by hand with little force and must not display any significant play.

Fig 4: Pressing Gudgeon Pin

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Prior to installation, measure piston installation clearance: Measure piston diameter with micrometer at measuring point A from lower edge of piston and offset by 90° to piston pin axis.

Measuring point A . See PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS, BMW, S63, B44 or PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS .

Fig 5: Measuring Piston Diameter Using Micrometer

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Adjust micrometer to cylinder bore of engine block. Set internal calliper on micrometer to zero. Measure bottom, center and top of cylinder bore in direction of travel and direction of engine rotation.

DIAMETER OF CYLINDER BORE .

Piston installation clearance . See PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS, BMW, S63, B44 or PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS .

Total permissible wear tolerance . See PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS, BMW, S63, B44 or PISTONS WITH RINGS AND PINS .

Fig 6: Checking Cylinder Bore Diameter

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: The connecting rods of cylinder banks 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 are mounted to the pistons differently.

NOTE: The pistons and connecting rods of cylinders 1 to 8 are identical.

Arrow on piston crown (cyl. 1 to 4) points upwards, bolt connection on connecting rod points at an angle to right.

Arrow on piston crown (cyl. 5 to 8) points upwards, bolt connection on connecting rod points at an angle to left.

Fig 7: Identifying Piston Crown And Connecting Rod Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: For purposes of clarity, pistons are shown removed.

The connecting rods are correctly mounted on the piston when the bolt connections on the connecting rods are parallel to each other (see arrow).

Fig 8: Identifying Connecting Rods

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Install retaining ring.

Fig 9: Removing Piston Pin Circlip Using Screwdriver

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Installation:

Piston circlip (1) is correctly installed when the opening points upwards.

See graphic.

It must still be possible for the piston pin to moved easily.

Fig 10: Identifying Piston Circlip

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Insert special tools 11 8 151 and 11 8 152 into connecting rod.

Install connecting rod bearing.

Fig 11: Inserting Special Tools (11 5 440 And 11 8 152) Into Connecting Rod

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Lightly coat pistons and piston rings with oil.

Offset the contact points of the piston rings by approx. 120° to each other but do not position above the piston pin boss.

NOTE: Picture shows S85.

Fig 12: Identifying Piston Rings Contact Points Offset Orientation

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Keep piston rods compressed with special tool 11 7 280 .

Install piston so that arrow points to camshaft drive.

IMPORTANT: Danger of piston ring failure.

Press in piston only with finger force (do not knock in!).

Fig 13: Compressing Piston Rings Using Special Tool (11 7 280)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Danger of piston ring failure.

Press in piston (1) only with finger force (do not knock in!).

Fig 14: Pressing Piston Using Finger Force

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The direction arrow on the piston crown must point to the camshaft drive (direction of travel towards front).

NOTE: Graphics show N63.

Fig 15: Identifying Piston Crown Direction Of Travel

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Attach crankshaft journal to connecting rod.

Remove special tools 11 5 440 and 11 8 152 .

Fig 16: Pressing Out Connecting Rod And Piston Using Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: For purposes of clarity, the pairing letters (1) are shown on the removed connecting rod.

IMPORTANT: Connecting rods and connecting rod bearing caps are denoted with the same pairing letters (1), do not mix them up.
Fit bearing cap so that pairing letters match up.

Fig 17: Identifying Connecting Rods And Connecting Rod Bearing Caps Pairing Letters

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Apply light coat of oil to connecting rod bearing shells.

Fit bearing cap so that pairing letters match up.

Install new connecting rod bolts.

Fig 18: Locating Connecting Rod Bolts

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Tighten down connecting rod bolts (1) with special tool 00 9 120 .

Tightening torque 11 24 1 AZ .

Fig 19: Tightening Connecting Rod Bolts With Special Tool (00 9 120)

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Assemble engine.