11 31 072 Checking Camshaft Timing (S85)

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Special tools required:

11 5 301
11 5 302
11 5 320

IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine in reverse direction.
Crank engine forward in clockwise direction only.
Risk of damage to VANOS gears.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove fan cowl with electronic fan. See 17 11 035 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN COWL WITH ELECTRIC FAN (M5) or 17 11 035 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN COWL WITH ELECTRIC FAN (M6) .
Remove left cylinder head cover .
Remove right cylinder head cover .
Remove all spark plugs. See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS (S85) .

NOTE: Prepare special tools.

Screw (1) acts as a spacer and is only used to check the timing.

Insert screw (1) in special tools 11 5 301 / E 1-5 and 11 5 302 / E 6-10.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tools 11 5 301 And 11 5 302

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: In 1st cylinder firing TDC position only the inlet camshafts of cylinders 1-5 and 6-10 can be checked.
In the 39° position only the exhaust camshafts of cylinders 1-5 and 6-10 can be checked.

Crank engine at central bolt until 1st cylinder firing TDC position appears on vibration damper.

Secure vibration damper in position with special tool 11 5 320.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 320

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

In camshaft position for cylinders 1-5, the designation E1 must be able to be read on the dihedron.

If necessary, crank engine at central bolt.

Fig 3: Identifying Designation (E1) On Dihedron

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

In camshaft position for cylinders 6-10, the designation E2 must be able to be read on the dihedron.

If necessary, crank engine at central bolt.

Fig 4: Identifying Designation (E2) On Dihedron

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position of camshaft in 1st cylinder firing TDC position.

The cams at the 1st cylinder on the inlet camshaft point upwards at an angle.

The cams at the 1st cylinder on the exhaust camshaft point to the exhaust side at an angle.

Designation E1 must be legible on dihedron (1).

Designation A1 is only legible from above in the 39° position.

Fig 5: Locating Cams At 1st Cylinder On Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position of camshaft firing TDC position 1st cylinder at cylinder 6-10.

The cams at the 6th cylinder of the inlet camshaft point downwards and open the engine valves.

The cams at the 6th cylinder of the exhaust camshaft point upwards at an angle.

Designation E2 must be legible on the dihedron (1).

Designation A2 is only legible from above in the 39° position.

Fig 6: Locating Cams At 6th Cylinder Of Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach special tool 11 5 301 E 1-5 with bolt (1) to inlet camshaft, 1st cylinder, at dihedron.

NOTE: The timing is correctly adjusted when special tools 11 5 301 and 11 5 302 rest flat on the cylinder head or protrude by up to 1.5 mm to the inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 301

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach special tool 11 5 302 E 6-10 with bolt (1) to inlet camshaft, 6th cylinder, at dihedron.

NOTE: The timing is correctly adjusted when special tools 11 5 301 and 11 5 302 rest flat on the cylinder head or protrude by up to 1.5 mm to the inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 302

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: In the 39° position only the exhaust camshafts of cylinders 1-5 and 6-10 can be checked.
Remove all special tools.

Crank engine at central bolt.

Secure special tool 11 5 320 to vibration damper (1) in the 39° position.

Fig 9: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 320 And Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach special tool 11 5 301 (A 1-5) to dihedron of exhaust camshaft, 1st cylinder.

NOTE: The timing is correctly adjusted when special tools 11 5 301 and 11 5 302 rest flat on the cylinder head or protrude by up to 1.5 mm to the inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 10: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 301

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach special tool 11 5 302 (A 6-10) to dihedron of exhaust camshaft, 6th cylinder.

NOTE: The timing is correctly adjusted when special tools 11 5 301 and 11 5 302 rest flat on the cylinder head or protrude by up to 1.5 mm to the inlet and exhaust sides.

Fig 11: Identifying Special Tool 11 5 302

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove all special tools.

Assemble engine in reverse sequence to its disassembly.