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11 21 531 Replacing all crankshaft main bearing shells (N52)

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Special tools required: 

IMPORTANT: Aluminum-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  .
Joining torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage)  .

Necessary preliminary work: 

Checking position of oil spray nozzles: 

Insert special tool 11 4 251 in the screw connection of the 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 .

Fig 1: Checking Position Of Oil Spray Nozzles
G09920032Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Tightening torque 11 11 5AZ .

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

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

Observe BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Fig 2: Identifying Bearing Shells And Guide Bearing Shell
G09920033Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

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

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

IMPORTANT: Allocation of bearing points: Bearing point 1 is at the front on the timing chain drive in the direction of travel.
Fig 3: Identifying Bearing Shells With/Without Lubricating Groove
G09920034Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: All crankshaft crank pins are classified.
The identification (2) is located on the first crankshaft web.

Optional classifications (2) per connecting rod

On the connecting rod and connecting rod bearing cap:

Fig 4: Identifying ID Codes And Code Letters For Crankcase Lower Section
G09920035Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

r. connecting rod = yellow

Connecting rod bearing cap = red

b. Connecting rod = violet

Connecting rod bearing cap= blue

Observe BEARING CLASSIFICATION .

Example:

Possible classification: b r r r r r

Cylinder 1: Classification b

Violet (connecting rod)/\Blue (connecting rod bearing cap)

Cylinder 2: Classification r

Yellow (connecting rod)/Red (connecting rod bearing cap)

Cylinder 3: Classification r

Yellow (connecting rod)/Red (connecting rod bearing cap)

Cylinder 4: Classification r

Yellow (connecting rod)/Red (connecting rod bearing cap)

Cylinder 5: Classification r

Yellow (connecting rod)/Red (connecting rod bearing cap)

Cylinder 6: Classification r

Yellow (connecting rod)/Red (connecting rod bearing cap)

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

Installation note: 

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

Fig 5: Locating Main Bearing Classification In Crankcase
G09920036Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

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.

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 6: Identifying Bearing Shells With/Without Lubricating Groove
G09920037Courtesy 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 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).

Lager 2: and colors Yellow and Green.

Lager 3: and colors Green and Green.

Lager 4: and colors Red and Green.

Lager 5: and colors Green and Yellow.

Lager 6: and colors Red and Red.

Lager 7: and colors Green and Green.

The color combination Yellow and Red  must not be fitted.

Fig 7: Identifying Bearing Shells With/Without Lubricating Groove
G09920038Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

Possible color combinations for mounting the crankshaft in the crankcase.

(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 note: 

Clean all sealing surfaces.

IMPORTANT: Do not use any metal-cutting tools.

Clean sealing faces with special tool 11 4 470 .

Determine bearing play with special tool 00 2 590 .

Fig 8: Identifying Bearing Shells And Guide Bearing Shell
G09920039Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

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 note: 

Remove plastic thread.

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

Fig 9: Measuring Radial Clearance Using Flattened Plastigage And Measuring Scale
G09920040Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install BEDPLATE .

Assemble engine.