LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Mini >> 2010 >> Cooper S, 2D Hatchback, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 2697 (Engine - Repair - N51 - E90) >> Piston With Rings And Pin >> 1125530 Removing and installing/replacing all pistons (N51) >> Preliminary work

Preliminary work

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2011 BMW 328xi, 2011 BMW 328i, 2010 BMW 328xi, 2010 BMW 328i, and 2009 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Clamp special tool 11 4 491 in a vice.

Secure piston (1) with conrod to special tool 11 4 491 .

Fig 1: Identifying Piston And Special Tool (11 4 491)
G04751127Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Protective goggles  must be worn for the next work step.
WARNING: Protective goggles  must be worn.

Lever out piston circlip with special tool 11 4 492 in direction of arrow.

Fig 2: Removing Piston Circlip Using Special Tool (11 4 492)
G04739769Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, replace connecting rods.

IMPORTANT: Connecting rods are divided into weight categories and are only available as a set.
Old and new connecting rods must not be installed in mixed combinations.

Installation: 

The piston pin must be able to be pressed through the liner by hand with little force and must not display any significant play.

Fig 3: Installing Gudgeon Pin
G04751129Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Measure piston installation clearance:

Measure piston diameter with micrometer at measuring point A from bottom edge of piston and offset at 90° to the axis of the piston pin.

Piston diameter at measuring point A.

Fig 4: Measuring Piston Diameter
G04739771Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Adjust micrometer to cylinder bore of engine block. Set internal caliper on micrometer to zero. Measure bottom, center and top of cylinder bore in direction of travel and direction of engine rotation.

Diameter of cylinder bore.

Piston installation clearance.

Total permissible wear tolerance see 1121-N51-03B1S1 CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS .

If necessary, replace piston.

Fig 5: Measuring Diameter Of Cylinder Bore
G04739772Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Protective goggles  must be worn.
Insert piston circlip (2) into groove (1) of special tool 11 4 493 PLIERS .
Bring piston circlip into assembly position.
Fig 6: Identifying Piston Circlip And Groove Of Special Tool
G04751132Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Protective goggles  must be worn.

Guide lug and cutout on special tool 11 4 493 PLIERS must point to the piston crown; only then can special tool 11 4 494 MANDREL be correctly fitted.

When special tools 11 4 493 PLIERS and 11 4 494 MANDREL are correctly positioned, the piston pin circlip must be driven in with a plastic hammer in the direction of the arrow.

NOTE: See Fig 7.
Fig 7: Driving Piston Pin Using Plastic Hammer
G04751133Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: B 30.

Install all PISTON RINGS  .

Install all BEARING SHELLS  .

Coat piston and piston rings with oil.

Pre-install piston (2) in special tool 11 6 261.

Attach special tool 11 8 330 ASSEMBLY TOOL in conrod (2).

Installation: 

Check protective lugs (1) on special tool 11 8 330 ASSEMBLY TOOL for correct position and damage.

Fig 8: Attaching Special Tool In Connecting Rod
G04751134Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert piston with conrod in cylinder.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage to oil spray nozzle.
Danger of piston ring failure.
Press in piston with finger pressure only, do not drive in (see arrows).

Insert piston (1) so that arrow (2) on piston crown points to camshaft drive.

Press in piston (1) with special tool 11 6 261.

Fig 9: Inserting Piston On Piston Crown Points
G04751136Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Conrod and conrod bearing cap are identified with pairing letters (1) and must not be mixed up.
Mixing them up or incorrectly fitting the conrod bearing cap on the big end will result in engine damage. 
Fig 10: Identification Pairing Letters On Conrod Bearing Cap
G04751137Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Apply a light coat of oil to crank pin.

Assemble conrod and crank pin.

Detach special tool 11 8 330 ASSEMBLY TOOL .

Fig 11: Identifying Special Tool (11 8 330)
G04751126Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit bearing caps (2) so that pairing letters match up.

Install new conrod bolts (1).

Tightening torque: 11 24 1AZ

Fig 12: Identifying Bearing Caps And Connecting Rod Bolts
G04751118Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Adjust torsion angle of conrod with special tool 00 9 120 (see Fig 13).

Tightening torque: 11 24 1AZ

Fig 13: Adjusting Torsion Angle Of Conrod Using Special Tool 00 9 120
G04751121Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assemble engine.