11 31 573 Adjusting Camshaft Timing On Left Side (N73)

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NOTE:

For Special Tool identification, see ENGINE- SPECIAL TOOLS .

Special Tools Required:

11 9 190
11 9 461
11 9 462
11 9 463

Cylinders 7 to 12.

Necessary Preliminary Tasks:

Remove intake air manifold. Refer to 11 61 050 REMOVING AND INSTALLING INTAKE AIR MANIFOLD (N73) .
Remove left cylinder head cover. Refer to 11 12 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/SEALING LEFT CYLINDER HEAD COVER (N73) .
Remove all spark plugs. Refer to 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS (N73) .
Remove fan. Refer to 11 52 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING FAN CLUTCH (N73) .
Remove left timing case cover. Refer to 11 14 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING TOP LEFT TIMING CASE COVER (N73) .

Crank engine at central bolt in direction of rotation to firing TDC position of 1st cylinder.

Secure vibration damper with special tool 11 9 190 in firing TDC position of 1st cylinder.

Fig 1: Securing Vibration Damper With Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cams on inlet and exhaust camshafts at 7th cylinder are inclined upwards.

See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Identifying 7th Cylinder Inlet And Exhaust Camshafts Cam Position

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Screw (1) must not be replaced by an M8 screw (special screw).

Release screw (1).

Unclip oil line (3) from retainer (2) and remove.

Fig 3: Identifying Oil Line In Retainer

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: The adjustment units are locked in an initial position when the engine is switched off. In individual cases this initial position is not achieved and the camshaft remains rotatable in the VANOS adjustment range. In order to avoid incorrect timing adjustment, it is necessary to check the locking of the VANOS and if necessary perform locking by rotating the camshafts.

Locking Check (Inlet):

Engage hexagon head of camshaft at front and rotate inlet camshaft carefully against direction of rotation.

The inlet VANOS is locked in the initial position when the inlet camshaft is non-positively connected to the inlet VANOS.

Fig 4: Inlet Locking Check

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Locking Check (Exhaust):

Engage hexagon head of camshaft at front and rotate exhaust camshaft carefully in direction of rotation.

The exhaust VANOS is locked in the initial position when the exhaust camshaft is non-positively connected to the exhaust VANOS.

Fig 5: Exhaust Locking Check

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: If the inlet and exhaust VANOS of the camshafts "cannot" be locked as described, the VANOS is faulty and must be replaced.

Release screws of inlet and exhaust VANOS.

NOTE: When slackening screws, grip camshafts at hexagon

Fig 6: View Of Inlet And Exhaust VANOS Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Special tool 11 9 461 for securing inlet camshaft.

Special tool 11 9 462 for securing exhaust camshaft.

Special tool 11 9 463 (holder with screw).

Fig 7: Identifying Inlet/Exhaust Camshaft Guide And Holder

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Place special tool 11 9 461 on inlet camshaft and align inlet camshaft so that special tool 11 9 461 rests flat on cylinder head.

Insert special tool 11 9 463 in thread of oil line and tighten down by hand with screw (1).

Fig 8: Installing Guide On Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down screw (1) of inlet VANOS.

Installation:

Replace screw (1).

Tightening torque, refer to 11 36 16AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

NOTE: When tightening down screw (1), grip camshaft at hexagon head

Remove special tool 11 9 461.

Fig 9: View Of Inlet VANOS Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Place special tool 11 9 462 on exhaust camshaft and align exhaust camshaft so that special tool 11 9 462 rests flat on cylinder head.

Insert special tool 11 9 463 in thread of oil line and tighten down by hand with screw (1).

Fig 10: Installing Guide On Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down screw (2) of exhaust VANOS.

Installation:

Replace screw (2).

Tightening torque, refer to 11 36 16AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

NOTE: When tightening down screw (2), grip camshaft at hexagon head

Remove special tool 11 9 462.

Fig 11: Locating Exhaust VANOS Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove special tool 11 9 190.

Crank engine at central bolt twice in direction of rotation until engine returns to firing TDC position of 1st cylinder.

Secure engine again with special tool 11 9 190.

Check camshaft adjustments.

Fig 12: Removing Special Tool From Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: The timing is correctly adjusted when special tools 11 9 461 and 11 9 462 rest flat on the cylinder head or protrude by up to 0.5 mm to the exhaust side.

Remove all special tools.

Assemble engine.