LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> BMW >> 2011 >> 740i >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Engine Control Systems >> Engine - Repair (N54, 2011-2012) >> Crankshaft And Bearing >> 11 21 531 Replacing all crankshaft main bearings (N54)

11 21 531 Replacing all crankshaft main bearings (N54)

Special tools required: 

IMPORTANT: Aluminium screws/bolts must be replaced each time they are released. 
Aluminium screws/bolts are permitted with and without color coding (blue).
For reliable identification:
Aluminium screws/bolts are not magnetic  .
Jointing torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage). 

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Check setting of oil spray nozzles, adjusting if necessary: 

Attach special tool 11 8 510 to main bearing screw connection, secure with bolt (1).

Fig 1: Checking Position Of Oil Spray Nozzles
G04754865Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

The oil nozzle must be located precisely in the groove of special tool 11 8 510 .

If necessary, adjust oil nozzle.

Adjust oil nozzle.

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 11 11 5AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Banjo Bolt
G04754866Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove bearing shells (2) and (3).

NOTE: Guide bearing shell (3) is a thrust bearing.

Observe BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Fig 3: Identifying Bearing Shells
G04751097Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

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

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

Fig 4: Identifying Bearing Shell With/Without Lubricant Groove
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Allocation of bearing positions:
Bearing position 1 is at the front on the timing chain drive in the direction of travel.

Main bearing classification (1) for crankcase lower half (bedplate), code numbers 1 2 3, see MAIN BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Observe BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Bearing classification (2) of CONNECTING RODS  code letters b and r.

Fig 5: Identifying Bearing Classifications
G04754869Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Main bearing classification (1) in crankcase, code letters A/B or C, see MAIN BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Installation note: 

When all the letters and number code have been determined, the bearing shell color must be allocated.

Fig 6: Identifying Main Bearing Classification In Crankcase
G04751109Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

The letter/number combination produces a bearing shell pairing.

Identification by different colors.

IMPORTANT: First bearing position 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.

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.

Fig 7: Identifying Bearing Shell With/Without Lubricant Groove
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted; the bearing colors Green/Green must be selected for this color combination, see MAIN BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Installation example: 

For bearing 1 with code letter A  on the crankcase  and code number 1  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).

Bearing 2: A  and 2  colors Yellow and Green.

Fig 8: Identifying Bearing Shell With/Without Lubricant Groove
G04751107Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing 3: B  and 2  colors Green and Green.

Bearing 4: C  and 2  colors Red and Green.

Bearing 5: B  and 1  colors Green and Yellow.

Bearing 6: C  and 3  colors Red and Red.

Bearing 7: C  and 1  colors Green and Green.

The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted.

Installation note: 

Possible color combinations for mounting the crankshaft in the crankcase.

MAIN BEARING CLASSIFICATION

(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 

Insert all bearing shells (2 and 3).

IMPORTANT: Clean sealing surfaces.
Do not  clean sealing faces with a metal-cutting tool.

Only use special tool 11 4 470 to clean sealing surfaces.

Determine bearing play with special tool 00 2 590 .

Installation note: 

All measuring points must be free from oil and grease.

Use used screws to determine bearing play.

Fig 9: Identifying Bearing Shells
G04751097Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Set up crankcase lower section (bedplate) with bearing shells.

Remove crankcase

lower section (bedplate).

Read off BEARING PLAY at width of flattened plastic thread and measurement scale.

Installation note: 

Remove Plastigage.

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

Fig 10: Checking Radial Clearance At Width Of Flattened Plastic Thread (Plastigage)
G04739747Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install crankcase lower section (bedplate).

Assemble engine.