Special tools required:

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW 760Li and 2007 BMW 760Li. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

11 9 473. See 11 9 470 SUPPORT

(cylinder bank 7 to 12)

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove left cylinder head cover. See 11 12 005 Removing and Installing/Sealing Left Cylinder Head Cover (N73)
Remove all spark plugs. See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS (N73)
Remove inlet and exhaust VANOS on left side. See 11 36 047 Removing and installing/replacing inlet and exhaust VANOS on left side (N73)
Remove left intermediate lever. See 11 37 012 Removing and Installing/Replacing Left Intermediate Levers (N73)

Release screw (1) and remove torsion spring.

Remove torsion springs of cylinders 7 to 11 in accordance with same procedure.

Fig 1: Identifying Torsion Spring Screw

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Remove special tool 11 9 473. See 11 9 470 SUPPORT

Mark bearing caps 7 to 12 and remove.

IMPORTANT: Bearing cap and bearing bracket are matched to each other and must not be mixed up.
Risk of damage.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (11 9 473)

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Lift out inlet camshaft (1).

Installation:

Clean all bearings and cams of inlet camshaft and lubricate with engine oil.

Fig 3: Identifying Inlet Camshaft

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IMPORTANT: Plain compression rings (1) can easily break.

Remove and install/replace plain compression rings (1).

Plain compression rings (1) are engaged at joint.

Press compression ring (1) on one side into groove, press upwards from below on other side and remove catch.

Carefully pull compression ring (1) apart and remove towards front.

Installation:

Install compression ring in reverse sequence.

Fig 4: Identifying Plain Compression Rings

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Release screw (1) and remove sensor gear (2).

Installation:

Inlet camshaft of cylinders 1 to 6 is marked with Ein 16.

Inlet camshaft of cylinders 7 to 12 is marked with Ein 712.

Sensor gear (2) has a lug for locating in the inlet camshaft.

Tightening torque 11 31 14AZ. See 11 31 CAMSHAFT

Fig 5: Identifying Sensor Gear And Screw

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Make sure bearing shells (1) of eccentric shaft are engaged in bearing bracket.

Fig 6: Identifying Bearing Shells

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Check dowel sleeves (1) for damage.

Fig 7: Identifying Dowel Sleeves

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Fit bearing caps 2 to 7.

Screw on special tool 11 9 473 and secure bearing bracket. See 11 9 470 SUPPORT

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tool (11 9 473)

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Insert all torsion springs with screw (1) and tighten down.

Fig 9: Identifying Torsion Spring Screw

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Assemble engine in reverse sequence to its disassembly.

Installation:

Clean all bearings and cams of inlet camshaft and lubricate with engine oil.