Checking the timings of the camshaft

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2025 BMW M4, 2024 BMW M4, 2023 BMW M4, 2022 BMW M4, and 2021 BMW M4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Working on 12 V electrical system .
Risk of short circuits! Risk of fire!

Make sure that there is no charger connected to the jump start terminal in the engine compartment.
Detach battery ground lead from battery.
For auxiliary batteries: Detach battery minus cables from all auxiliary batteries.

WARNING: Hot surfaces .
Risk of burning!

Perform all work only on components that have cooled down.

WARNING: Working on fuel system .
Risk of fire! Danger of explosion!

When working on the fuel system, make sure the workstation has sufficient ventilation, e.g., by means of extraction.
Tightly seal off open lines and connections; collect any leakage fuel directly at the point of exit.
No fire, sparks, open flames or smoking.

CAUTION: On releasing high pressure line, fuel may emerge at high speed .
Injury hazard!

Wear suitable personal protective equipment.
Before performing any installation work, allow cooling system to cool down to less than 40°C.
Note warnings on cylinder head cover.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Collect and dispose of emerging fluids. Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Preliminary work

Refer to BRINGING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING SUSPENSION STRUT BRACE .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING THE SEAL FOR THE HOOD REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVING WINDSHIELD PANEL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING TRAILING LINK AT SPRING BOLT .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER COWL UPPER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER BULKHEAD LOWER PART .
Refer to REMOVING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING CLEAN AIR PIPE CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to PARTIALLY REMOVING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVING SEAL FOR FRONT HOOD .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER FOR THE CENTER ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SPOILER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT UNDERSHIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THRUST FIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT HAND FRONT BOTTOM SIDE COVER .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to CONNECTING THE COOLANT LINE TO THE RADIATOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR CYLINDERS 1-3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE CHARGE AIR CROSSING .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT FEED LINE PART 2 BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP AND EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT RETURN LINE BETWEEN THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER AND THERMOSTAT .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Alternative to the new special tool 2 471 127 , the already present special tool 2 456 372 can be used in modified form.
Information on modification can be found in the additional information.
The modified special tool is upward compatible.

Keep the set of special tools 2 471 127 ready:

Number	Description
1	Basic carrier
2	0.7° setting gauge to adjust the intake camshaft
3	0.5° setting gauge to adjust the exhaust camshaft
4	Basic carrier screws on cylinder head
5	Screw gauge on basic carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Provide test gauges from the set of special tools 2 358 122 .

Number	Description
1	Test gauges for fixing in place the intake camshaft
2	Test gauges for fixing in place the exhaust camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Have the special tool 2 288 380 ready.

Number	Description
1	Locating stud

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NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to the engine .
If the engine is manually rotated in the wrong direction of rotation, the engine can be damaged .

Only rotate the engine manually in the correct direction of rotation: a) clockwise when looking at the damper, or b) counterclockwise when looking at the chain drive. b) applies only if the timing chain is installed in the rear.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Use special tool 0 493 380 (11 6 480) to turn the engine to the TDC firing position of cylinder 1 .
Make sure that the marks (1) on the intake camshaft (E) and the exhaust camshaft (A) can be read from above.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Ensure that the cam (1) on the exhaust camshaft on cylinder 1 points to the inside right at a slight angle.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Ensure that the cam (1) on the intake camshaft on cylinder 1 points to the inside left at an angle.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Ensure that the flattened areas (1) on the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft point upward.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Position the basic carrier (1) from the set of special tools 2 471 127 on the cylinder head.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Tighten the screws (1) from the set of special tools 2 471 127 on the basic carrier (2) .

TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Basic carrier to cylinder head
M6	Tightening torque	8 Nm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position the test gauge (1) from the set of special tools 2 358 122 between the intake camshaft and the basic carrier from the set of special tools 2 471 127 .
Position the test gauge (2) from the set of special tools 2 358 122 between the exhaust camshaft and the basic carrier from the set of special tools 2 471 127 .
Tighten screws (arrows).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Test gauge to basic carrier
M6	Tightening torque	8 Nm

Loosen clamp (1) .
Feed out and remove the sealing cap (2) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Dimension (X) = 66 mm

Special tool 2 288 380 must be inserted into the dowel hole up to dimension (X) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Special tool 2 288 380 incorrectly positioned.

TDC firing position of cylinder 1 not achieved.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Special tool 2 288 380 correctly positioned.

Engine is in the TDC firing position of cylinder 1.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with manual gearbox:
Dimension (X) = 61 mm

Special tool 2 288 380 must be inserted into the dowel hole up to dimension (X) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with manual gearbox:
Special tool 2 288 380 incorrectly positioned.

TDC firing position of cylinder 1 not achieved.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles with manual gearbox:
Special tool 2 288 380 correctly positioned.

Engine is in the TDC firing position of cylinder 1.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Follow-up work

Refer to INSTALLING CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to INSTALLING THE COOLANT RETURN LINE BETWEEN THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER AND THERMOSTAT .
Refer to FASTENING THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE COOLANT FEED LINE PART 2 BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP AND EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to PREPARING THE INJECTORS FOR INSTALLATION .
Refer to INSTALLING THE HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to INSTALLING THE HIGH-PRESSURE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF THE CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to INSTALLING THE TWO HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS .
Refer to INSTALLING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 6 .
Refer to INSTALLING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL SPARK PLUGS .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CHARGE AIR LINE .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CHARGE AIR DUCT FOR 1-3 CYLINDERS .
Refer to PARTIALLY INSTALLING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE FOR CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to INSTALLING THE RIGHT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE INTAKE FILTER HOUSING ON THE LEFT (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to INSTALLING FAN COWL .
Refer to INSTALLING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to INSTALLING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CENTER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE FRONT HOOD SEAL .
Refer to INSTALLING THE FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to INSTALLING ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE STRUT BRACE .
Refer to FILLING THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM WITH THE VACUUM FILLING EQUIPMENT .
Refer to CONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to VENTING THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT SYSTEM .
Refer to INSTALLING CENTER BULKHEAD LOWER PART .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CENTER COWL UPPER PART .
Refer to INSTALLING TENSION STRUT ON SHOCK TOWER .
Refer to INSTALLING WINDSHIELD PANEL COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to INSTALLING THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE REAR LEFT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE REAR HOOD SEAL .
Refer to INSTALLING THE BOTTOM FRONT RIGHT SIDE COVER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE STIFFENING PLATE .
Refer to INSTALLING FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to INSTALLING THE FRONT SPOILER .
Refer to INSTALLING THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT UNDERSHIELD .
Refer to TAKING HOOD OUT OF THE SERVICE POSITION .