11 31 005 Checking camshaft timing (M52TU / M54 / M56)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 BMW Z4, 2004 BMW Z4, and 2003 BMW Z4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 9 250
11 2 300
11 3 240
11 3 450
11 4 220

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove cylinder head cover See .
Remove all spark plugs . See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS .

Detach cover for inlet camshaft.

Fig 1: Detaching Cover For Inlet Camshaft

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

Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 2: Removing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Install special tool 11 4 220.

Fit adjusting screw to bow cover.

Fig 3: Installing Special Tool 11 4 220

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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 4: Preloading Tensioning Rail With Special Tool 11 4 220 By Rotating Adjusting Screw With Special Tool 00 9 250

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Unscrew oil pressure pipe.

Fig 5: Unscrewing Oil Pressure Pipe

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Mount special tool 11 3 450 with banjo bolt of oil pressure line.

Fig 6: Mounting Special Tool 11 3 450 With Banjo Bolt Of Oil Pressure Line

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IMPORTANT: Cover double VANOS adjustment unit; when the compressed air supply is connected, several drops of oil are sprayed out of the bore.

Fig 7: Covering Double VANOS Adjustment Unit When Compressed Air Supply Is Connected

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 8: Connecting Compressed Air

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NOTE: When the engine is switched off, it is possible that the camshafts are not in their initial positions. With the compressed air supply connected, rotate the engine to return the camshafts to their initial positions.

With compressed air supply connected, crank engine at least two revolutions in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face each other.

Fig 9: Ensuring Cam Tips Face Each Other

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Pull dust guard out of the special tool bore.

Fig 10: Pulling Dust Guard Out Of Special Tool Bore

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

IMPORTANT: Do not turn the engine back.
Remove special tool 11 2 300 before starting engine.

Fig 11: Securing Crankshaft With Special Tool 11 2 300

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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 (1)

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 12: Identifying Bore On Engine With Automatic Transmission

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Unscrew studs.

Fig 13: Unscrewing Studs

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Place special tool 11 3 240 on camshafts.

Fig 14: Placing Special Tool 11 3 240 On 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.
If necessary, adjust camshaft timing.

Fig 15: Resting Special Tool 11 3 240 Without Gap On Cylinder Head