Removing timing chain

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.

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.

CAUTION: Component with heavy weight .
Injury hazard!

Note component's center of gravity.
Support component using a jack.
Secure component against falling off the jack.

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

Preliminary work

Refer to REMOVING THE COMPLETE FRONT AXLE WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION .
Refer to REMOVING THE ENGINE FROM THE FRONT AXLE .
Refer to INSTALLING THE ENGINE ON THE ASSEMBLY JIG .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL FILLER CAP .
Refer to RELEASING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG .
Refer to TIGHTENING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG .
Refer to REMOVING CLEAN AIR PIPE CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER HEAT SHIELD FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE DRIVE BELT FOR ALTERNATOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE IDLER PULLEY .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS .
Refer to REMOVING THE HOLDER OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to INSTALLING 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 CONNECTING BRACKET FROM THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER FOR THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL FEED LINE FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE FOR THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL FEED LINE FOR THE CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING OIL FEED LINE FOR THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT FEED LINE PART 2 BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP AND 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 .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENUM .
Refer to BLOCKING THE ENGINE IN THE TDC FIRING POSITION .
Refer to REMOVING CHAIN TENSIONER .
Refer to RELEASING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to RELEASING VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE IN THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET .
Refer to REMOVING FLYWHEEL .
Refer to REMOVING OIL SUMP .
Refer to REMOVING REAR TIMING CASE COVER .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The bearing journal must not be extended.

Feed the tensioning rail (1) out of the bearing journal (2) and remove it.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Loosen the bearing journals (1) .
Guide out and remove (2) guide rail.

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Thread out the timing chain (1) from the crankshaft (2) and remove.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.