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11 21 531 Replacing all main crankshaft bearing shells (N52K)

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Special tools required: 

IMPORTANT: Aluminium-magnesium materials. 
No  steel screws/bolts may be used due to the threat of electrochemical corrosion.
A magnesium crankcase requires aluminum screws/bolts exclusively.
Aluminum screws/bolts must be replaced each time they are released. 
Aluminum screws/bolts are permitted with and without color coding (blue).
For reliable identification:
Aluminum screws/bolts are not magnetic  .
Jointing torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage)  .

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Checking position of oil spray nozzles: 

Insert special tool 11 4 251  in screw connection of main bearing.

NOTE: Special tool 11 4 252  must be pre-installed at the seventh main bearing.

Check position of oil spray nozzle (2) according to position (1) on special tool 11 4 251  .

If necessary, adjust and secure oil spray nozzle (2).

Tightening torque 11 11 5AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Oil Spray Nozzle And Special Tool
G04751105Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove bearing shells (2) and guide bearing shell (3).

NOTE: Guide bearing shell (3) is a thrust bearing.
Observe bearing classification. See ENGINE BLOCK and CRANKSHAFT WITH BEARING .
Fig 2: Identifying Bearing Shell And Crankshaft
G04751097Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Bearing shell (1) with lubricant groove must be fitted in crankcase.

Bearing shell (2) without lubricant groove must be fitted in bedplate.

Fig 3: Identifying Bearing Shell
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Allocation of bearing points: Bearing point 1 is at the front on the timing chain drive in the direction of travel.

Surface (1) for identification on crankshaft web 1.

Seven-digit part number (2).

Bearing classification (3) on bedplate.

NOTE: Code letters (4 and 5) are exclusively required for a machined crankshaft. Code letter (4) as per table, main bearing. B= build date 1 (B 1 2 3 -0.25 mm). B= build date 2 (C 1 2 3 -0.50 mm). Code letter (5) as per table, lift bearing. B= construction stage 1 (-0.25mm). C = construction stage 2 (-0.50 mm)
Fig 4: Identifying Seven-Digit Part Number And Bearing Classification
G04751108Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing classification (1) on crankcase.

Installation: 

When all the letters and number code have been determined, the color of the bearing shells must be allocated (see table).

Installation: 

The letter/number combination produces a bearing shell pairing.

Identification by different colors.

IMPORTANT: First bearing point is on the timing drive.
The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted.
Engine damage will result if excessively small bearing play is determined.

Code letters on crankcase 

Code letter A = bearing shell (1) color Yellow.

Code letter B = bearing shell (1) color Green.

Code letter C = bearing shell (1) color Red.

Fig 5: Identifying Bearing Shell
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Code numbers on crankshaft 

Code number 1 = bearing shell (2) Yellow.

Code number 2 = bearing shell (2) Green.

Code number 3 = bearing shell (2) Red.

IMPORTANT:

The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted; the bearing colors Green/Green must be selected for this color combination, see table.

Installation example: 

For bearing 1 with code letter on the crankcase  and code number on the crankshaft  bearing shell (1) with the color Yellow  is required for the crankcase  and bearing shell (2) with the color Yellow  for the crankcase lower half  (bedplate).

Fig 6: Identifying Bearing Shell
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing 2: and colors Yellow and Green.

Bearing 3: and colors Green and Green.

Bearing 4: and colors Red and Green.

Bearing 5: and colors Green and Yellow.

Bearing 6: and colors Red and Red.

Bearing 7: and colors Green and Green.

The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted.

IMPORTANT: Excessively small bearing play will result in engine damage.
The color combination Yellow and Red must not be fitted.
Possible color combinations (see table).
Fig 7: Identifying Bearing Classification
G04751109Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CRANKCASE INSTALLATION COLOR REFERENCE CHART

(A 1)  Crankcase/Yellow  (B 1)  Crankcase/Green  (C 1)  Crankcase/Green 
(A 1)  Crankcase lower half/Yellow  (B 1)  Crankcase lower half/Yellow  (C 1)  Crankcase lower half/Green 
(A 2)  Crankcase/Yellow  (B 2)  Crankcase/Green  (C 2)  Crankcase/Red 
(A 2)  Crankcase lower half/Green  (B 2)  Crankcase lower half/Green  (C 2)  Crankcase lower half/Green 
(A 3)  Crankcase/Green  (B 3)  Crankcase/Green  (C 3)  Crankcase/Red 
(A 3)  Crankcase lower half/Green  (B 3)  Crankcase lower half/Red  (C 3)  Crankcase lower half/Red 

Install bearing shells (2) and guide bearing shell (3).

Installation: 

Clean all sealing surfaces.

IMPORTANT: Do not use any metal-cutting tools.

Clean sealing faces with special tool 11 4 470  only.

Determine bearing play with special tool 00 2 590  .

Fig 8: Identifying Bearing Shell And Crankshaft
G04751097Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

All measuring points must be clean and free from oil and grease. If necessary, clean all measuring points.

Use the existing screws to determine the bearing play. Set up BEDPLATE  with bearing shells.

Remove bedplate.

Read off bearing play at width of flattened plastic thread and measurement scale.

Installation: 

Remove plastic thread.

Apply a light coat of oil to bearing shells and crankshaft.

Fig 9: Checking Bearing Play Using Plastic Gauge
G05475880Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install BEDPLATE .

Assemble engine.