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11 31 005 Checking Camshaft Timing (S54)

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Special Tools Required: 

Remove fan clutch with fan cowl. Refer to 11 52 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN CLUTCH (S52 / S54 / M52 / M52TU / M54 / M56) .

Remove cylinder head cover. Refer to 11 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING, SEALING CYLINDER HEAD COVER (S54) .

Remove all spark plugs.

When the engine is switched off, VANOS moves the camshafts to a position which is advantageous to engine starting.

CAUTION: The timing must "not" be checked in this position. The camshafts must first be turned back to their initial position.

Attach special tool 11 5 100 to four screws of crankshaft hub.

Fig 1: Attaching Adapter With Socket Wrench To Crankshaft Hub
G03117807Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Rotate crankshaft in direction of rotation as far as firing TDC position of 1st cylinder.

Fig 2: Aligning Crankshaft To Firing TDC Position Of 1st Cylinder
G03117808Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION: Do not turn the engine back.

Rotate crankshaft in direction of rotation as far as ignition TDC-J position of cylinder 1. Secure vibration damper in position with special tool 11 2 300.

Fig 3: Securing Vibration Damper In Position With Special Tool
G03117809Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach bracket of oil line from timing case cover.

Fig 4: Identifying Oil Line Bracket
G03117810Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove oil line from VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 5: View Of Oil Line From VANOS Adjustment Unit
G03117811Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit special tool 11 7 130 to VANOS adjustment unit.

Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 6: Installing Special Tool To VANOS Adjustment Unit
G03117812Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect plug connection on solenoid valve.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Plug Connection On Solenoid Valve
G03117813Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Connect special tool 12 6 050 in conjunction with special tool 12 6 411 (from special tool kit 12 6 410) to solenoid valves. Connect special tool 12 6 411 to correct terminals on car battery.

Alternately press toggle switch buttons 1 and 2 several times on special tool 12 6 050.

Fig 8: View Of Switching Unit
G03117814Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press and hold down toggle switch button 1 on special tool 12 6 050.

At same time, rotate inlet camshaft at hexagon drive against direction of rotation as far as it will go.

Fig 9: Identifying Inlet Camshaft
G03117815Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: Spline teeth in VANOS gear are engaged; and inlet camshaft cannot be rotated further.

Alternately press toggle switch buttons 3 and 4 several times on special tool 12 6 050.

Fig 10: Locating Toggle Switch Buttons On Switching Unit
G03117816Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press and hold down toggle switch button 3 on special tool 12 6 050.

At same time, rotate exhaust camshaft at hexagon drive against direction of rotation as far as it will go.

Fig 11: View Of Exhaust Camshaft
G03117817Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: Spline teeth in VANOS gear are engaged; and exhaust camshaft cannot be rotated further.

Disconnect compressed air from special tool 11 7 130.

Remove special tool 11 7 130.

Fig 12: Identifying Connection Piece In VANOS Unit
G03117818Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check camshaft setting:

Attach special tool 11 9 140 and join in locating bore of inlet camshaft.

NOTE: The inlet camshaft is correctly adjusted when special tool 11 9 140 rests flat on the cylinder head or protrudes by max. 0.5 mm to the exhaust side.

If the special tool 11 9 140 protrudes to the inlet side, the timing must be readjusted.

Fig 13: Identifying Gauge (Special Tool 11 9 140)
G03117819Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Join special tool 11 9 140 in locating bore of exhaust camshaft.

NOTE: The exhaust camshaft is correctly adjusted when special tool 11 9 140 rests flat on the cylinder head or protrudes by max. 0.5 mm to the exhaust side.

If the special tool 11 9 140 protrudes to the inlet side, the timing must be readjusted.

If necessary, adjust camshaft timing. Refer to 11 31 505 ADJUSTING CAMSHAFT TIMING (S54) .

Fig 14: View Of Gauge In Locating Bore Of Exhaust Camshaft
G03117820Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace sealing rings of banjo bolt.

Install banjo bolt but do not tighten down yet.

Fig 15: Installing Banjo Bolt
G03117821Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install bracket of oil line. Install screw and tighten down.

Fig 16: Installing Bracket Of Oil Line
G03117822Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down banjo bolt of oil line.

Tightening torque, refer to 11 36 9AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 17: Identifying Banjo Bolt Of Oil Line
G03117823Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove special tool 11 2 300.

Assemble engine.

Fig 18: Removing Special Tool From Vibration Damper
G03117824Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION: There is air in the VANOS system once it is opened. In the first few seconds after startup this results in a clearly discernible "rattling noise". This rattling noise does "not" indicate incorrect assembly. The rattling noise will disappear as soon as the oil pressure has built up and the system has vented.