11 31 025 Removing And Installing/Replacing Inlet Camshaft (N52K)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 128i, and 2009 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

For the following special tools, refer to ENGINE- SPECIAL TOOLS (N52K) .

11 4 281
11 4 481

IMPORTANT: Aluminum-magnesium materials. No steel screws/bolts may be used due to the threat of electrochemical corrosion. A magnesium crankcase requires aluminum screws/bolts exclusively. Aluminum screws/bolts must be replaced each time they are released. Aluminum screws/bolts are permitted with and without color coding (blue). For reliable identification: Aluminum screws/bolts are not magnetic . Jointing torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage) .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove cylinder head cover . See 11 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR SEALING CYLINDER HEAD COVER (N52K) .
Remove inlet adjustment unit . See 11 36 046 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING INLET AND EXHAUST ADJUSTMENT UNITS (N52) .
Remove intermediate lever . See 11 37 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING INTERMEDIATE LEVERS (N52K) .
Adjust valve timing . See 11 31 505 ADJUSTING TIMING OF CAMSHAFT(S) (N52K) .

NOTE: All bearing caps (1 and 2) are marked with numbers from 1 to 6.

Bearing cap (1) is a thrust bearing.

Release screws on bearing caps 1 to 6 (1 and 2).

Tightening torque. See 11 31 2AZ in 11 31 CAMSHAFT .

Set all bearing caps down in special tool 11 4 481 in a tidy and orderly fashion.

Fig 1: Identifying Bearing Caps

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove inlet camshaft (2) towards top.

Fig 2: Removing Inlet Camshaft Towards Top

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Metal plain rectangular compression ring:

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

Only replace plain rectangular compression rings (1) when they are broken.

The plain rectangular compression rings have catches at the joint.

Press plain rectangular compression rings (1) apart upwards and downwards and removed towards front.

Make sure plain rectangular compression rings (1) can move freely.

Installation note

When intake camshafts are inserted, no joint must point to a separating joint.

Fig 3: Identifying Compression Rings

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Plastic plain rectangular compression ring:

Installation note

The plastic plain rectangular compression ring is maintenance free and does not have to be replaced.

Insert plastic rectangular compression ring (1) into groove of exhaust camshaft (2) (see arrow). Lightly oil plastic rectangular compression ring (1) and rotate in direction of arrow until compression ring (1) is positioned on the exhaust camshaft.

Fig 4: Installing Plastic Plain Rectangular Compression Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1 and 2) for freedom of movement.

Fig 5: Checking Ring For Freedom Of Movement

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Markings of inlet and exhaust camshafts are different.
Mixing up the inlet and exhaust camshaft will result in engine damage.
A - Exhaust camshaft.
E - Inlet camshaft

Fig 6: Identifying Exhaust Camshaft And Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert inlet camshaft (1) so that part number on twin surface points upwards.

Position inlet camshaft (1) so that cams point upwards at an angle.

Attach special tool 11 4 281 to twin surface.

Fig 7: Identifying Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assemble engine.