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11 31 025 Removing and installing/replacing intake camshaft (N55)

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Special tools required: 

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

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

The front bearing cap is a thrust bearing and does not have an identification.

Release screws on thrust bearing cover.

Release screws on all bearing caps 1 to 6.

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

Fig 1: Camshaft Bearing Caps (N55)
G09845411Courtesy 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.

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.

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

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

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).

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

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.

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.

Install intake camshaft so that the latch mechanism of the plain rectangular compression rings (1) does not point to a contact point of the bearing cap

Center latch mechanism of the plain rectangular compression rings with the bearing cap.

NOTE: Image of the exhaust camshaft.
Fig 7: Locating Plain Rectangular Compression Rings
G09845312Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert intake camshaft so that data code (1) on mounting flats points upwards.

Fig 8: Identifying Camshaft Data Code
G09845251Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position intake camshaft (1) so that cams point upwards at an angle and to the left.

Fig 9: Positioning Intake Camshaft
G09845419Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: All bearing caps are identified with numbers from 1 to 6.

The front bearing cap is a thrust bearing and does not have an identification.

Insert screws on all bearing caps 1 to 6.

Insert screws on thrust bearing cover.

Tightening torque: 11 31 3AZ .

Fig 10: Camshaft Bearing Caps (N55)
G09845411Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assemble engine.