E53 (X5)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 BMW X5, 2002 BMW X5, 2001 BMW X5, and 2000 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Secure crankshaft in TDC position with special tool 11 5 180.

Fig 1: Securing Crankshaft In TDC Position With Special Tool 11 5 180

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Remove chain tensioning piston.

Remove both timing case covers at top.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Release nut (1) on sensor gear screw connection on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 2: Releasing Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Remove sensor gear (2) on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 3: Removing Sensor Gear On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Release nut (1) on sensor gear screw connection on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 4: Releasing Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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Remove sensor gear (2) on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 5: Removing Sensor Gear On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Do not damage the cylinder head.
If necessary, machine open-end wrench accordingly.

When releasing camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Fig 6: Releasing Camshaft Screw Connection Using Open-End Wrench

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Slacken screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 7: Slackening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When releasing camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Slacken screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 8: Slackening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When releasing camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Slacken screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 9: Slackening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When releasing camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Slacken screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 10: Slackening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Align camshafts.

Attach special tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 to camshafts, cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 11: Connecting Special Tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 To Camshafts (Cylinder Bank 1 To 4)

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Attach special tool 11 2 443 to special tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 and secure with special tool 11 2 444 via spark plug thread.

Fig 12: Identifying Special Tools In Secured Position

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Align camshafts.

Attach special tool 11 2 446 / 11 2 442 to camshafts, cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 13: Connecting Special Tool 11 2 446 / 11 2 442 To Camshafts (Cylinder Bank 5 To 8)

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Attach special tool 11 2 443 to special tool 11 2 446 / 11 2 442 and secure with special tool 11 2 444 via spark plug thread.

Fig 14: Identifying Special Tools In Secured Position

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Remove slackened central bolt and remove hub for vibration damper.

CAUTION: Do not turn engine any more.

Remove special tool 11 5 180.

Fig 1: Removing Special Tool 11 5 180

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Remove upper oil sump section.

Remove water pump with thermostat housing.

Remove lower timing case cover.

Release retaining screw on tensioning rail.

Open plastic strap (1).

Remove tensioning rail with oil guide.

Fig 2: Identifying Plastic Strap

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NOTE: Engines in E53 (X5) have an external oil separator. Screw (1) is not fitted.

Release screw (1) for oil separator.

Release retaining screw (2) for guide rail.

Fig 3: Releasing Retaining Screw For Guide Rail

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Using a small screwdriver, carefully push back retaining lug on guide rail and detach guide rail.

Fig 4: Detaching Guide Rail Using A Small Screwdriver

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Feed timing chain (1) out of camshaft adjustment unit and remove.

Fig 5: Identifying Timing Chain

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NOTE: Engines in E53 (X5) have an external oil separator. Grub screw (1) is not fitted.

If necessary, remove reversing rail.

Unfasten grub screw (1).

Release retaining screws (2 and 3) on reversing rail and remove reversing rail.

Fig 6: Removing Reversing Rail

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Fig 1: Securing Crankshaft Using Special Tool 11 2 300 In TDC Firing Position

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Secure crankshaft in TDC position with special tool 11 5 180.

Fig 2: Securing Crankshaft In TDC Position Using Special Tool 11 5 180

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Fit special tool 11 7 380 to right cylinder head on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 3: Fitting Special Tool 11 7 380 To Right Cylinder Head On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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NOTE: The special tool kit 11 3 390 can no longer be fitted in the E53 (X5) with M62 engine due to the altered space conditions.
With the market launch of the E53 (X5) with M62 engine, the special tool kit 11 3 390 is dropped.
The shorter special tool kit 11 4 230 comprising special tools 11 4 231 and 11 4 232 replaces the special tool kit 11 3 390.

Fig 4: Precaution Of Special Tool Kit 11 3 390

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Insert special tool 11 4 230 in special tool 11 7 380.

Screw in adjustment screw on tensioning rail, but do not tighten yet.

Fig 5: Inserting Special Tool 11 4 230 In Special Tool 11 7 380

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NOTE: The continuity test with the multimeter described in the following is not possible on the M62 B46 because of the different design of the camshaft adjustment unit.
The remaining procedure is identical.

Connect a commercially available multimeter to a contact pin on camshaft adjustment unit and to the screw connection on oil line on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Set multimeter to acoustic continuity test.

Fig 6: Connecting Multimeter To Screw Connection On Oil Line On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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Attach special tool 11 6 440 to camshaft adjustment unit on cylinder bank 5 to 8 and move at 40 N.m to left-hand stop.

Check left-hand stop of camshaft adjustment unit with acoustic continuity test on multimeter.

Fig 7: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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NOTE: Rotating the camshaft adjustment unit at 40 N.m to the left-hand stop ensures that the end position is reached and there is no longer an "oil cushion" before the left-hand stop of the camshaft adjustment unit.
In the camshaft adjustment unit, there are three contacts which are closed when the unit is at the left-hand stop.
During the acoustic continuity test with the multimeter, a sound signal can be heard when the camshaft adjustment unit is at the left-hand stop.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8 to an initial torque of 15 N.m and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 8: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8 to an initial torque of 15 N.m and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 9: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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Connect a commercially available multimeter to a contact pin on camshaft adjustment unit and to the screw connection on oil line on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Set multimeter to acoustic continuity test.

Fig 10: Connecting Multimeter To Screw Connection On Oil Line On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Attach special tool 11 6 440 to camshaft adjustment unit on cylinder bank 1 to 4 and move at 40 N.m to left-hand stop.

Check left-hand stop of camshaft adjustment unit with acoustic continuity test on multimeter.

Fig 11: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4 to an initial torque of 15 N.m and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 12: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4 to an initial torque of 15 N.m and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 13: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Pretension tensioning rail by turning adjusting screw on special tool 11 4 230 with special tool 00 9 250 to 0.7 N.m.

NOTE: If installation tolerance is unfavorable, attach special tool 00 9 250 from underside.

Fig 14: Turning Adjusting Screw Using Special Tool 00 9 250

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NOTE: Pretensioning the timing chain moves the camshaft adjustment unit and the unit must therefore be reset to the left-hand stop.

Attach special tool 11 6 440 to camshaft adjustment unit on cylinder bank 5 to 8 and move at 40 N.m to left-hand stop.

Check left-hand stop of camshaft adjustment unit with acoustic continuity test on multimeter.

Fig 15: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Do not damage the cylinder head.

If necessary, machine open-end wrench accordingly.

When tightening down camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Fig 16: Tightening Camshaft Screw Connection

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten down screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

For tightening torque, see 11 36 14AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES

Fig 17: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When tightening down camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Tighten down screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

For tightening torque, see 11 36 13AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES

Fig 18: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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Attach special tool 11 6 440 to camshaft adjustment unit on cylinder bank 1 to 4 and move at 40 N.m to left-hand stop.

Check left-hand stop of camshaft adjustment unit with acoustic continuity test on multimeter.

Fig 19: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When tightening down camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Tighten down screw connection (2) of inlet camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

For tightening torque, see 11 36 14AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES

Fig 20: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

When tightening down camshaft screw connection grip camshaft at hexagon head.

Tighten down screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

For tightening torque, see 11 36 13AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES

Fig 21: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Attach sensor gear (2) to cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 22: Connecting Sensor Gear To Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Fit nut (1) of sensor gear screw connection on cylinder bank 1 to 4 and initially tighten without play, but do not tighten down yet.

Fig 23: Fitting Nut Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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NOTE: Special tool kit 11 6 450 comprises:
Special tool 11 6 451 for cylinder bank 1 to 4
Special tool 11 6 452 for cylinder bank 5 to 8

Align locating bore (1) on sensor gear of cylinder bank 1 to 4 to positioning pin on special tool 11 6 451. Fit special tool 11 6 451, insert screws and initially tighten without play. Press special tool 11 6 451 downwards and align to cylinder head. Tighten down special tool 11 6 451.

Fig 24: Aligning Locating Bore On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 1 To 4 To Positioning Pin On Special Tool 11 6 451

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Tighten down nut (1) on sensor gear screw connection.

For tightening torque, see 11 36 15AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES

Fig 25: Tightening Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection

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Remove special tool 11 6 451 from right cylinder head on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 26: Removing Special Tool 11 6 451 From Right Cylinder Head On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Attach sensor gear (2) to cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 27: Connecting Sensor Gear To Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Fit nut (1) of sensor gear screw connection on cylinder bank 5 to 8 and initially tighten without play, but do not tighten down yet.

Fig 28: Fitting Nut Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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NOTE: Special tool kit 11 6 450 comprises:
Special tool 11 6 451 for cylinder bank 1 to 4
Special tool 11 6 452 for cylinder bank 5 to 8

Align locating bore (1) on sensor gear of cylinder bank 5 to 8 to positioning pin on special tool 11 6 452. Fit special tool 11 6 452, insert screws and initially tighten without play. Press special tool 11 6 452 downwards and align to cylinder head. Tighten down special tool 11 6 452.

Fig 29: Aligning Locating Bore On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 5 To 8 To Positioning Pin On Special Tool 11 6 452