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11 31 025 Removing and installing/replacing intake camshaft (N52T)

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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  .
Jointing torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage)  .

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

NOTE: All bearing caps (2) are identified with numbers from 1 to 6.

Bearing cap (1) is a thrust bearing.

Release bearing cap (1).

Release screws on bearing caps (2) 1 to 6.

Tightening torque: 11 31 9AZ .

Set all bearing caps down in special tool 11 4 481 in a neat and orderly fashion.

Fig 1: Releasing Screws Of Bearing Caps
G04751158Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove intake camshaft (2) towards top.

Installation note: 

Clean all bearing positions and lubricate with oil.

Check plain rectangular compression rings (1) for damage and replace if necessary.

Fig 2: Removing Intake Camshaft
G04751159Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Metal plain rectangular compression ring: 

IMPORTANT: Plain rectangular compression rings (1) can easily break.

Only replace plain rectangular compression rings (1) when they are broken.

The plain rectangular compression rings have catches at the joint.

Press plain rectangular compression rings (1) apart upwards and downwards and removed towards front.

Fig 3: Pressing Plain Rectangular Compression Rings
G04739815Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make sure plain rectangular compression rings (1) can move freely.

Installation note: 

When intake camshafts are inserted, no joint must point to a separating joint.

Plastic plain rectangular compression ring: 

Installation note: 

The plastic plain rectangular compression ring is maintenance free and does not have to be replaced.

Insert plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) into groove of intake camshaft (2) (see arrow).

Lightly oil plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) and rotate in direction of arrow until plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) is positioned on the intake camshaft.

Fig 4: Inserting Plastic Rectangular Compression Ring
G06907274Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1 and 2) for freedom of movement.

Fig 5: Identifying Plastic Plain Rectangular Compression Ring
G06907275Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Marks of intake and exhaust camshafts are different.
Mixing up the intake and exhaust camshaft will result in engine damage  .
A Exhaust camshaft.
E Intake camshaft
Fig 6: Identifying Exhaust And Intake Camshaft
G09845305Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert intake camshaft (1) so that part number on mounting flats points upwards.

Position intake camshaft (1) so that cams point upwards at an angle.

Attach special tool 11 4 281 to mounting flats.

Fig 7: Identifying Cams Of Intake Camshaft Position
G04751154Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assemble engine.