11 31 072 Checking camshaft timing (S65)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW M3, 2009 BMW M3, and 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

11 0 480
11 5 320
11 9 970
11 9 971
11 9 972

See ENGINE - SPECIAL TOOLS .

IMPORTANT: Bank (2), cylinders (5 - 8), is checked first.
The timing of bank (1) at cylinders (1-4) can only be checked at overlap TDC.
The lettering (E1 and A1) must point downwards.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove fan cowl with electronic fan. See 17 11 035 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN COWL WITH ELECTRIC FAN (S65) .
Remove left cylinder head cover .
Remove right cylinder head cover .
Remove all spark plugs. See 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS (S65) .

IMPORTANT: Danger of mixing up both special tool bores.

10° 10° before TDC (top dead center)

OT Top dead center

Fig 1: Identifying Timing Marks

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Only bank 2, cylinders (5 - 8), can be checked in cylinder no. 1 firing TDC position.
The 10° position is required only to adjust the timing.

Crank engine at central bolt until the firing TDC position appears on the vibration damper.

Engine installed: Secure vibration damper in position with special tool 11 0 480 .

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

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (11 5 320) On Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Bank 2 is checked first.

The lettering (A2 and E2) points upwards.

The positions of the cams on the exhaust camshaft point vertically upwards (see picture).

The positions of the cams on the inlet camshaft point at an angle downwards (see picture).

Fig 3: Identifying Letters (A2 And E2) On Cam

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position special tool 11 9 972 on twin surface of exhaust camshaft (A2).

Position special tool 11 9 971 on twin surface of inlet camshaft (E2).

The timings are correctly set when special tool 11 9 970 rests without a gap on the cylinder head.

Permissible tolerance: A maximum gap of 1.0 mm is permitted on the non-contacting side of special tool 11 9 970 .

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tools (11 9 972) And (11 9 971)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Remove special tools 11 9 970 and 11 5 320 .
Crank engine at central bolt 360° in direction of rotation.
The timing of bank 1 at cylinders (1-4) can only be checked at overlap TDC.

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tool (11 5 320) On Vibration Damper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Crank engine at central bolt until the firing TDC position appears on the vibration damper.

Engine installed: Secure vibration damper in position with special tool 11 0 480 .

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

IMPORTANT: Position of camshaft at overlap TDC
The lettering (E1 and A1) points downwards.

The cams on cylinder no. 1 on the inlet camshaft point at an angle downwards (see picture).

The cams on cylinder no. 1 on the exhaust camshaft point at an angle downwards (see picture).

Position special tool 11 9 971 on twin surface of inlet camshaft (E1).

Position special tool 11 9 972 on twin surface of exhaust camshaft (A1).

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools On Inlet Camshaft And Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The timings are correctly set when special tool 11 9 970 rests without a gap on the cylinder head.

Permissible tolerance: A maximum gap of 1.0 mm is permitted on the non-contacting side of special tool 11 9 970 .

Adjust valve timing.

Fig 7: Identifying Gap Between Timings Chain And Cylinder Head

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove all special tools.

Assemble engine in reverse sequence to its disassembly.