11 36 010 Removing and installing or replacing double VANOS adjustment unit (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
11 6 170

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove intake filter housing with air-mass flow sensor
Remove cylinder head cover . See 11 12 000 Removing And Installing, Sealing Cylinder Head Cover (M52TU / M54 / M56) .
Remove spark plugs . See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS .

E85 only:

Remove radiator cover . See RADIATOR COVER .
Drain coolant from radiator. See 17 00 005 DRAINING OFF AND TOPPING UP COOLANT .

NOTE: Protect drive belt against emerging coolant.

Remove right coolant hose
Remove solenoid valve for exhaust side

Removal:

Removal of double VANOS adjustment unit is described separately from installation. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Detach plastic cover for inlet camshaft.

Fig 1: Detaching Plastic Cover For Inlet Camshaft

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Unscrew oil pressure pipe.

Fig 2: Unscrewing Oil Pressure Pipe

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

Fig 3: 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 4: Identifying Bore For Sprayed Oil Drops

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 5: Connecting Compressed Air (2-8 Bar)

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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 6: Identifying Position Of Cam Tips On Inlet And Exhaust Camshafts

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Pull dust guard out of the special tool bore.

Fig 7: Pulling Dust Guard Out Of Special Tool Bore

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

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

Fig 8: Securing Crankshaft In Firing TDC Position 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.

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 9: Identifying Large Bore On Engines With Automatic Transmissions

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Unscrew studs.

Fig 10: Unscrewing Studs

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Secure camshafts with special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 11: Securing Camshafts With Special Tool 11 3 240

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Detach compressed air connection.

NOTE: special tool 11 3 450 still remains fitted.

Fig 12: Detaching Compressed Air Connection

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IMPORTANT: Oil escapes after screw plugs have been removed. Have cleaning cloths and container ready.

Make sure no oil runs onto belt drive. Remove any remnants of oil immediately with cleaning cloth.

Remove screw plugs, catch escaping oil on inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 13: Removing Screw Plugs & Catching Escaping Oil On Inlet And Exhaust Sides

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Remove sealing caps with special tool 11 6 170 or with commercially available short flat nose pliers.

E85:

Use commercially available offset flat nose pliers.

Fig 14: Removing Sealing Caps With Special Tool 11 6 170

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IMPORTANT: Left-hand threads.

Release fitting screws on inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 15: Releasing Fitting Screws On Inlet And Exhaust Sides

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Detach plug connections from camshaft sensor and solenoid valves on exhaust and inlet sides.

Fig 16: Detaching Plug Connections From Camshaft Sensor And Solenoid Valves On Exhaust And Inlet Sides

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Unscrew suspension eye.

Fig 17: Unscrewing Suspension Eye

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Release nuts and remove double VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 18: Removing Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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IMPORTANT: With double VANOS adjustment unit removed:
Do not crank engine.
The toothed shaft on the inlet side may move and slip out of the spline teeth, the inlet camshaft is thus no longer non-positively connected and the valves could rest on the piston.

Installation:

Installation of double VANOS adjustment unit is described separately from removal. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

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

Keep sealing faces clean and free of oil. Apply a thin and even coat of sealing compound Drei Bond 1209 to contact surface edges of separating face between cylinder head and double VANOS adjustment unit.

Replace seal.

Fig 19: Checking Dowel Sleeves For Damage

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Install and secure double VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 20: Installing Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Attach plug connections of camshaft sensor and solenoid valves on exhaust and inlet sides.

Fig 21: Attaching Plug Connections Of Camshaft Sensor And Solenoid Valves On Exhaust And Inlet Sides

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IMPORTANT: Left-hand threads.

Insert fitting screws for hydraulic piston on toothed shaft on inlet and exhaust sides and tighten down.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 4AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 22: Tightening Fitting Screws For Hydraulic Piston On Toothed Shaft On Inlet And Exhaust Sides

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Replace sealing caps and install with special tool 11 6 170 or with commercially available short flat nose pliers.

E85:

Use commercially available offset flat nose pliers.

Fig 23: Installing Sealing Caps With Special Tool 11 6 170

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Insert screw plugs with new sealing rings and tighten down.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 3AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 24: Tightening Screw Plugs With New Sealing Rings

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Fit suspension lug.

Fig 25: Fitting Suspension Lug

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NOTE: If the double VANOS adjustment unit has been replaced, you must check and, if necessary, adjust the camshaft timing.

If work has been carried out which has "no" effect on the timing and it is assured that the timing adjustment is correct, the timing check described in the following does not have to be conducted.

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

Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 26: Removing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Insert special tool 11 4 220 in cylinder head and bring adjustment screw into contact with tensioning rail.

Fig 27: Inserting Special Tool 11 4 220 In Cylinder Head And Bringing Adjustment Screw Into Contact With Tensioning Rail

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

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

Fig 29: Pulling Special Tool 11 2 300 Back Until Flywheel Secured In Position

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Remove special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 30: Removing Special Tool 11 3 240

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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 31: [Identifying Bore]

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 32: Connecting Compressed Air (2 To 8 Bar)

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

Fig 33: Identifying Position Of Cam Tips On Inlet And Exhaust Camshafts On 1st Cylinder Face Each Other