11 31 019 Replacing camshafts (S54): Removal:

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 BMW M Roadster, 2002 BMW M Coupe, 2001 BMW M Roadster, and 2001 BMW M Coupe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Removal of the VANOS adjustment unit and the camshafts is described separately from installation. The assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Fit special tool 11 5 100 to four screws on crankshaft hub.

Fig 1: Fitting Special Tool On Crankshaft Hub

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 2: Rotating Crankshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure vibration damper with special tool 11 2 300 in firing TDC position of 1st cylinder.

Fig 3: Securing Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: When the engine is switched off, VANOS moves the camshafts to a position which is advantageous to engine starting.
The camshafts and the VANOS adjustment unit must be placed in the installation position before the VANOS adjustment unit is removed.

Detach bracket of oil line from timing case cover.

Fig 4: Detaching Bracket Of Oil Line

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove oil line from VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 5: Removing Oil Line From VANOS Adjustment Unit

Courtesy 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: Fitting Special Tool To VANOS Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect plug connection on solenoid valve.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Plug Connection On Solenoid Valve

Courtesy 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: Connecting Special Tools To Solenoid Valves

Courtesy 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: Rotating Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy 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: Pressing Toggle Switch Buttons 3 And 4

Courtesy 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: Rotating Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy 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: Disconnecting Compressed Air From Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).
Remove sliding rail (2).
Release screws (3).
Remove holder (4).

Fig 13: Removing Sliding Rail And Holder
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove special tool 11 2 300. Rotate crankshaft in direction of rotation a further revolution up to overlap TDC position.

NOTE: TDC allocation above marking on vibration damper is sufficient.

Fig 14: Identifying Marking On Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken six accessible bolts two turns.

Fig 15: Locating Accessible Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Crank engine at central bolt in direction of rotation until 1st cylinder is at TDC firing position. Secure vibration damper in position with special tool 11 2 300.

Fig 16: Securing Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken remaining six bolts two turns.

Fig 17: Locating Remaining Six Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws on VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 18: Releasing Screws On VANOS Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Do not damage VANOS adjustment unit.

Carefully detach VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 19: Detaching VANOS Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Inlet side:

NOTE: The spline hub (1) accommodates a plate spring and a supporting ring.

Take care: the supporting ring can easily fall out when removed.

Remove slackened screws on inlet side.

Remove spline hub (1) with plate spring and supporting ring.

Fig 20: Removing Inlet Side Spline Hub

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Exhaust side:

NOTE: The spline hub (1) accommodates a plate spring and a supporting ring.
Take care: the supporting ring can easily fall out when removed.

Remove slackened screws on exhaust side.

Remove spline hub (1) with plate spring and supporting ring.

Fig 21: Removing Exhaust Side Spline Hub

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove chain tensioning piston. Refer to 11 31 090 Removing and installing/replacing chain tensioning piston (S54) .

Detach sprocket wheel (1 and 2) from centering sleeve.

Fig 22: Detaching Sprocket Wheel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hold timing chain under tension.

Feed out sprocket wheel (1 and 2).

Secure timing chain against slipping down.

Remove special tool 11 2 300.

Fig 23: Removing Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: No piston must be in the TDC position when the camshafts are removed.

Lift timing chain and hold under tension.

Crank engine at central bolt against direction of rotation to 30° before TDC position.

Fig 24: Cranking Engine

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: This work step is only necessary if the camshafts are to be replaced at a later stage.

Grip camshafts at hexagon head.

Release bolts on centering sleeves (1).

Remove centering sleeves (1) on exhaust and inlet sides with thrust washers (2).

Fig 25: Removing Centering Sleeves And Thrust Washers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: This work step is only necessary if the camshafts are to be replaced at a later stage.

Withdraw toothed sleeves (3) from exhaust and inlet camshafts.

Fig 26: Withdrawing Toothed Sleeves

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove profile seal (1).

Fig 27: Removing Profile Seal

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Inlet and exhaust camshafts have a joint thrust bearing flange at 1st bearing seat. Thrust bearing flange is secured with adapter sleeves.

Release nuts and remove thrust bearing flange (1).

Fig 28: Removing Thrust Bearing Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing inlet camshaft:

CAUTION: Note direction and angle of rotation.

Rotate inlet camshaft at hexagon inwards until cam tips on 1st cylinder are horizontal.

Fig 29: Removing Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Inlet side:

CAUTION: Incorrect removal/installation without a special tool exposes the camshaft to the risk of preliminary damage or breakage.

Fit special tool 11 4 380 on inlet camshaft and screw into spark plug threads of cylinders 2 and 5.

Pretension inlet camshaft by rotating eccentric shaft. Release all nuts of bearing caps on inlet camshaft.

Fig 30: Fitting Special Tool On Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Inlet side:

NOTE: Bearing caps are secured with adapter sleeves.
Bearing caps are marked E2 to E7.

Feed out bearing caps E2 to E7 and set down in order.

Fig 31: Identifying Bearing Caps

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Inlet side:

CAUTION: Inlet camshaft must not tilt when tension is relieved on special tool 11 4 380.

Relieve tension on special tool 11 4 380 and remove.

Lift out inlet camshaft.

Fig 32: Relieving Tension On Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing exhaust camshaft:

CAUTION: Note direction and angle of rotation.

Rotate exhaust camshaft at hexagon inwards until cam tips on 1st cylinder are horizontal.

Fig 33: Rotating Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Exhaust side:

CAUTION: Incorrect removal/installation without a special tool exposes the camshaft to the risk of preliminary damage or breakage.

Fit special tool 11 4 380 on exhaust camshaft and screw into spark plug threads of cylinders 2 and 5.

Fig 34: Fitting Special Tool Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pretension exhaust camshaft by rotating eccentric shaft. Release all nuts of bearing caps on exhaust camshaft.

Exhaust side:

NOTE: Bearing caps are secured with adapter sleeves.
Bearing caps are marked A2 to A7.

Feed out bearing caps A2 to A7 and set down in order.

Fig 35: Identifying Bearing Caps

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Exhaust side:

CAUTION: Exhaust camshaft must not tilt when tension is relieved on special tool 11 4 380.

Relieve tension on special tool 11 4 380 and remove.

Lift out exhaust camshaft.

Fig 36: Relieving Tension On Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, removing signal disk of exhaust and inlet camshafts:

CAUTION: Do not damage camshafts. Use protective vise jaws.

Grip camshaft at hexagon in a vise and release banjo bolt (1).

Fig 37: Releasing Banjo Bolt

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.