Adjusting Camshaft Timing

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

Remove intake filter housing with air-mass flow sensor.

Remove fan impeller with fan clutch and fan cowl.

Remove both cylinder head covers.

Remove spark plugs.

CAUTION: In firing TDC position, the inlet camshaft 1 to 4 rotates in the teeth of the camshaft adjustment unit. This twisting is caused by the position of the cams and is not an indication for incorrect timing.

Fig 1: Identifying Inlet Camshaft Rotation

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Remove oil lines on left and right of cylinder head.

Fig 2: Removing Oil Lines On Left And Right Of Cylinder Head

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Turn engine in direction of rotation as far as TDC firing position of first cylinder.

Fig 3: Identifying Direction Of Rotation Of Cam

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E38/E39

Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 2 300 in TDC firing position of first cylinder.

CAUTION: Remove special tool 11 2 300 before starting engine.

Fig 4: Securing Crankshaft With Special Tool 11 2 300

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E53

Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 5 180 in TDC firing position of first cylinder.

CAUTION: Remove special tool 11 5 180 before starting engine.

Fig 5: Securing Crankshaft With Special Tool 11 5 180

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Remove chain tensioning piston. See 11 31 090 INSTALLING AND REMOVING/REPLACING PISTON FOR CHAIN TENSIONER (M62) .

Remove both timing case covers at top. See 11 14 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING TIMING CASE COVER, TOP LEFT (M62 VANOS FROM 9/98) and 11 14 085 REMOVING AND INSTALLING TIMING CASE COVER, TOP RIGHT (M62 VANOS FROM 9/98) .

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

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

Fig 6: Releasing Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection (Cylinder Bank 1 To 4)

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

Fig 7: Removing Sensor Gear (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 8: Releasing Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection (Cylinder Bank 5 To 8)

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

Fig 9: Removing Sensor Gear (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 10: Releasing Camshaft Screw Connection

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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 5 to 8 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 11: Slackening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (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 12: Slackening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (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 13: Slackening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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 14: Slackening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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 15: 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 16: Connecting Special Tool 11 2 443 To Special Tool 11 2 445/11 2 441

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Align camshafts.

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

Fig 17: 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 18: Connecting Special Tool 11 2 443 To Special Tool 11 2 445/11 2 441

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

Fig 19: Fitting Special Tool 11 7 380 To Right Cylinder Head (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 20: Precautions When Using Special Tool Kit 11 4 230

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

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

Fig 21: Inserting Special Tool Kit 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.

Fig 22: Connecting Multimeter To Screw Connection On Oil Line (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 5 to 8.

Set multimeter to acoustic continuity test.

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

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

Fig 23: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit (Cylinder Bank 5 To 8)

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NOTE: Rotating the camshaft adjustment unit at 40 Nm 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 Nm and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 24: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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 Nm and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 25: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (Cylinder Bank 5 To 8)

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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 1 to 4.

Set multimeter to acoustic continuity test.

Fig 26: Connecting Multimeter To Screw Connection On Oil Line (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 Nm to left-hand stop.

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

Fig 27: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit (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 Nm and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 28: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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 Nm and then slacken off again by a 1/4 turn.

Fig 29: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (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 Nm.

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

Fig 30: Turning Adjusting Screw On Special Tool 11 4 230 With 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 Nm to left-hand stop.

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

Fig 31: Connecting Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit (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 32: Gripping Camshaft At Hexagon Head

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

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

Tightening torque, see 11 36 14AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 4.6L .

Fig 33: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 13AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 4.6L .

Fig 34: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (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 Nm to left-hand stop.

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

Fig 35: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit (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.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 14AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 4.6L .

Fig 36: Tightening Screw Connection Of Inlet Camshaft (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.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 13AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 4.6L .

Fig 37: Tightening Screw Connection Of Exhaust Camshaft (Cylinder Bank 1 To 4)

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

Fig 38: Attaching 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 39: Fitting Nut Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection (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

Fig 40: Aligning Locating Bore On Sensor Gear (Cylinder Bank 1 To 4) To Positioning Pin On Special Tool 11 6 451

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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.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

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

Tightening torque, see 11 36 15AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 4.6L .

Fig 41: 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 42: Removing Special Tool 11 6 451 From Right Cylinder Head (Cylinder Bank 1 To 4)

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

Fig 43: Connecting Sensor Gear (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 44: Fitting Nut Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection (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 45: Aligning Locating Bore On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 5 To 8 To Positioning Pin On Special Tool 11 6 452