11 31 005 Checking camshaft timing (M52TU / M54 / M56)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW X5, 2006 BMW X3, 2005 BMW X5, 2005 BMW X3, and 2004 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 9 250
11 2 300
11 3 240
11 3 450
11 4 220

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove fan impeller with fan clutch
E60: Remove fan cowl with electric fan
Remove cylinder head cover, refer to 11 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING, SEALING CYLINDER HEAD COVER (M52TU / M54 / M56)
Remove all spark plugs, refer to 12 12 011 REPLACING ALL SPARK PLUGS

Detach cover for inlet camshaft.

Fig 1: Detaching Cover For Inlet Camshaft

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IMPORTANT: Cylinder for chain tensioning piston is under spring pressure.

Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 2: Removing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Install special tool 11 4 220.

Fit adjusting screw to bow cover.

Fig 3: Fitting Adjusting Screw To Bow Cover

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Preload tensioning rail with special tool 11 4 220 by rotating adjusting screw with special tool 00 9 250 or standard torque wrench to 0.7 N.m.

Fig 4: Preloading Tensioning Rail

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Unscrew oil pressure pipe.

Fig 5: Unscrewing Oil Pressure Pipe

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Mount special tool 11 3 450 with banjo bolt of oil pressure line.

Fig 6: Mounting Special Tool

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IMPORTANT: Cover double VANOS adjustment unit; when the compressed air supply is connected, several drops of oil are sprayed out of the bore.

Fig 7: View Of Double VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 8: Connecting Compressed Air

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NOTE: When the engine is switched off, it is possible that the camshafts are not in their initial positions. With the compressed air supply connected, rotate the engine to return the camshafts to their initial positions.

With compressed air supply connected, crank engine at least two revolutions in direction of rotation until cam tips on inlet and exhaust camshafts on 1st cylinder face each other.

Fig 9: Identifying Camshafts Position

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Pull dust guard out of the special tool bore.

Fig 10: Pulling Dust Guard Out Of Special Tool Bore

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Secure crankshaft with special tool 11 2 300 in TDC firing position of 1st cylinder.

Fig 11: Securing Crankshaft

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IMPORTANT: Do not turn the engine back.

Remove special tool 11 2 300 before starting engine.

Automatic transmissions only: Illustration does not show automatic transmission.

IMPORTANT: On engines with automatic transmissions, there is shortly before the special tool bore (1) a large bore (2) which can be confused with the special tool bore (1)

Fig 12: Identifying Correct Bore

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If special tool 11 2 300 is secured in the correct bore (1), the engine can no longer be cranked at the central bolt.

Unscrew studs.

Fig 13: Unscrewing Studs

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Place special tool 11 3 240 on camshafts.

Fig 14: Placing Special Tool On Camshafts

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NOTE: The timing is correctly set if the special tool 11 3 240 rests without a gap on the cylinder head or protrudes up to 1 mm to the inlet side.
The timing must be reset if the special tool 11 3 240 protrudes to the exhaust side.

Fig 15: Checking Timing