11 36 010 Removing and installing or replacing double VANOS adjustment unit (M52TU / M54 / M56)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 16 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW 330Ci, 2005 BMW 330xi, 2005 BMW 330i, 2005 BMW 330Ci, and 2004 BMW 330xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 9 250
11 2 300
11 3 240
11 3 450
11 4 220
11 6 170

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove intake filter housing with air-mass flow sensor. See 11 61 050 Removing and installing intake air manifold (M54)
Remove fan impeller with fan clutch and fan cowl. See 11 52 020 Removing and installing/replacing fan clutch (S52 / S54 / M52 / M52TU / M54 / M56)
E60: Remove fan cowl with electric fan
Remove cylinder head cover. See 11 12 000 Removing and installing, sealing cylinder head cover (M52TU / M54 / M56)
Remove spark plugs. See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS

E85 only:

Remove radiator cover
Drain coolant from radiator

NOTE: Protect drive belt against emerging coolant.

Remove right coolant hose
Remove solenoid valve for exhaust side. See 11 36 575 Replacing solenoid valve for exhaust side on VANOS adjustment unit

Removal:

Removal of double VANOS adjustment unit is described separately from installation. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Detach plastic cover for inlet camshaft.

Fig 1: Removing Plastic Cover For Inlet Camshaft

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Unscrew oil pressure pipe.

Fig 2: Identifying Unscrew Oil Pressure Pipe

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Mount special tool 11 3 450 with banjo bolt of oil pressure line.

Fig 3: Identifying Mount Special Tool

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IMPORTANT: Cover double VANOS adjustment unit.
When the compressed air supply is connected, several drops of oil are sprayed out of the bore.

Fig 4: Identifying Cover Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 5: Connecting Compressed Air

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NOTE: When the engine is switched off, it is possible that the camshafts are not in their initial positions. With the compressed air supply connected, rotate the engine to return the camshafts to their initial positions.

With compressed air supply connected, crank engine at least two revolutions in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face each other.

Fig 6: Cranking Engine At Least Two Revolutions

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Pull dust guard out of the special tool bore.

Fig 7: Pulling Dust Guard Out Of The Special Tool Bore

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Secure crankshaft in firing TDC position with special tool 11 2 300.

IMPORTANT: Remove special tool 11 2 300 before switching on the engine.

Fig 8: Removing Special Tool

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Automatic transmissions only:

Illustration does not show automatic transmission.

IMPORTANT: On engines with automatic transmissions, there is shortly before the special tool bore (1) a large bore (2) which can be confused with the special tool bore.

If special tool 11 2 300 is secured in the correct bore (1), the engine can no longer be cranked at the central bolt.

Fig 9: Identifying Special Tool

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Unscrew studs.

Fig 10: Identifying Unscrew Studs

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Secure camshafts with special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 11: Identifying Secure Camshafts With Special Tool

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Detach compressed air connection.

NOTE: special tool 11 3 450 still remains fitted.

Fig 12: Removing Compressed Air Connection

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IMPORTANT: Oil escapes after screw plugs have been removed. Have cleaning cloths and container ready.
Make sure no oil runs onto belt drive. Remove any remnants of oil immediately with cleaning cloth.

Remove screw plugs, catch escaping oil on inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 13: Removing Screw Plugs

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Remove sealing caps with special tool 11 6 170 or with commercially available short flat nose pliers.

E85:

Use commercially available offset flat nose pliers.

Fig 14: Removing Sealing Caps With Special Tool

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IMPORTANT: Left-hand threads.

Release fitting screws on inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 15: Releasing Fitting Screws On Inlet & Exhaust Sides

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Detach plug connections from camshaft sensor and solenoid valves on exhaust and inlet sides.

Fig 16: Detaching Plug Connections

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Unscrew suspension eye.

Fig 17: Unscrew Suspension Eye

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Release nuts and remove double VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 18: Releasing Nuts & Removing Double Vanes Adjustment Unit

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IMPORTANT: With double VANOS adjustment unit removed:
Do not crank engine.
The toothed shaft on the inlet side may move and slip out of the spline teeth, the inlet camshaft is thus no longer non-positively connected and the valves could rest on the piston.

Installation:

Installation of double VANOS adjustment unit is described separately from removal. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Check dowel sleeves (1) for damage and correct installation position.

Keep sealing faces clean and free of oil. Apply a thin and even coat of sealing compound Drei Bond 1209 (refer to BMW Parts Service) to contact surface edges of separating face between cylinder head and double VANOS adjustment unit.

Replace seal.

Fig 19: Checking Dowel Sleeves

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Install and secure double VANOS adjustment unit.

Fig 20: Securing Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Attach plug connections of camshaft sensor and solenoid valves on exhaust and inlet sides.

Fig 21: Attaching Plug Connections

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IMPORTANT: Left-hand threads.

Insert fitting screws for hydraulic piston on toothed shaft on inlet and exhaust sides and tighten down.

Tightening torque. Refer to ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 3-SERIES (E46) .

Fig 22: Inserting Fitting Screws For Hydraulic Piston

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Replace sealing caps and install with special tool 11 6 170 or with commercially available short flat nose pliers.

E85:

Use commercially available offset flat nose pliers.

Fig 23: Replacing Sealing Caps

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Insert screw plugs with new sealing rings and tighten down. Tightening torque. Refer to ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 3-SERIES (E46) .

Fig 24: Inserting Screw Plugs With New Sealing

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Fit suspension lug.

Fig 25: Fitting Suspension Lug

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NOTE: If the double VANOS adjustment unit has been replaced, you must check and, if necessary, adjust the camshaft timing.
If work has been carried out which has "no" effect on the timing and it is assured that the timing adjustment is correct, the timing check described in the following does "not" have to be conducted.

IMPORTANT: Cylinder for chain tensioning piston is under spring pressure.

Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 26: Removing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Insert special tool 11 4 220 in cylinder head and bring adjustment screw into contact with tensioning rail.

Fig 27: Inserting Special Tool

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Preload tensioning rail with special tool 11 4 220 by rotating adjusting screw with special tool 00 9 250 or standard torque wrench to 0.7 Nm.

Fig 28: Identifying Tensioning Rail With Special Tool

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Pull special tool 11 2 300 back until flywheel is no longer secured in position.

Fig 29: Pulling Special Tool

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Remove special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 30: Removing Special Tool

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IMPORTANT: Cover double VANOS adjustment unit; when the compressed air supply is connected, several drops of oil are sprayed out of the bore.

Fig 31: Covering Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 32: Connecting Compressed Air

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With compressed air supply connected, crank engine twice in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face each other.

Fig 33: Cranking Engine Twice In Direction