Checking cylinder head for watertightness

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: Spring preload .
Injury hazard!

The use of the specified special tool (tool) is mandatory.
Carry out the described steps properly.

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Contaminant or foreign body .
Contamination can result in malfunctions, loss of function or leaks .

Adhere to the utmost cleanliness.
Protect components from contamination e.g. by covering.
Close off line connections with seal plugs.

Preliminary work

Refer to REMOVING BOTH EXHAUST TURBOCHARGERS FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 6 (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE TRIM STRIP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER FOR THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 ON THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE TRIM STRIP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 ON THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to MOUNTING THE CYLINDER HEAD ON THE ASSEMBLY JIG .
Refer to ADJUSTING THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT TO THE MINIMUM LIFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE TORSION SPRINGS (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING ALL GATES .
Refer to REMOVING ALL INTERMEDIATE LEVERS .
Refer to REMOVING THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKING CAMSHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE SERVOMOTOR FOR THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING ALL ROLLER CAM FOLLOWERS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL HYDRAULIC VALVE CLEARANCE COMPENSATING ELEMENTS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL VALVE SPRINGS .
Refer to REMOVING VALVE STEM SEALS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL VALVES .

Get the set of special tools 2 361 215 ready.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Position the cylinder head (1) on the special tool 2 361 215 so that the rubber layer faces the cylinder head (1) and all water ducts at the cylinder head (1) are closed.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Feed in the screws (1) to (14) on the cylinder head (A) .
Tighten screws in the order (1) to (14) .

TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Cylinder head to special tool 2 361 215
Tightening Torque	35 Nm

Fig 1: Cylinder Head Screws Tightening Sequence

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release venting connector (1) .
Feed out and remove venting connector (1) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mount the valve of the special tool 2 361 215 on the cylinder head.

TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Venting connector/special tool to cylinder head
M10	Tightening Torque	18 Nm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check

Heat up the cylinder head.

TECHNICAL DATA SPECIFICATION

Check for cylinder head watertightness
Temperature of the cylinder head	Tightening Torque	60°C

Connect compressed air.

TECHNICAL DATA SPECIFICATION

Check for cylinder head watertightness
Testing pressure	max. 3.0 bar

Check the cylinder head in for tightness in a water bath.

Result

» Air bubbles develop.

Measure

Check the cylinder head for damage at the point of exit of the air bubbles.

Measure

Repair or replace cylinder head.

Disassemble the valve of the special tool 2 361 215 .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Check the sealing ring (1) at the venting connector (2) for damage, if necessary replace the venting connector (2) .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Install the venting connector (1) .

TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Venting connector/special tool to cylinder head
M10	Tightening Torque	18 Nm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws in the sequence (14) to (1) from the cylinder head (A) .
Feed out and remove screws (14) to (1) .

Fig 2: Cylinder Head Screws Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Feed out and remove cylinder head (1) from the special tool 2 361 215 .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Follow-up work

Refer to INSTALLING ALL VALVES .
Refer to INSTALLING VALVE STEM SEALS .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL VALVE SPRINGS .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL HYDRAULIC VALVE CLEARANCE COMPENSATING ELEMENTS .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL ROLLER CAM FOLLOWERS .
Refer to INSTALLING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE SERVOMOTOR FOR THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE INTAKING CAMSHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to CHECKING THE INTERMEDIATE LEVER CLASSIFICATION .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL INTERMEDIATE LEVERS .
Refer to INSTALLING ALL GATES .
Refer to ADJUSTING THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT TO THE MINIMUM LIFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to CHECKING THE POSITION OF THE INTAKING CAMSHAFT (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE TORSION SPRINGS (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD FROM THE ASSEMBLY JIG .
Refer to INSTALLING THE TRIM STRIP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER FOR THE CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 ON THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to INSTALLING THE TRIM STRIP FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER FOR THE CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 ON THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to INSTALLING THE HEAT SHIELD ON THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to INSTALLING BOTH EXHAUST TURBOCHARGERS FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 6 (CYLINDER HEAD REMOVED) .