Checking Camshaft Timing

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove fan impeller with fan clutch and fan cowl, refer to 11 52 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN CLUTCH (S52/S54/M52/M52TU/M54/M56) .
• 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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Remove cylinder for chain tensioning piston.

Fig 2: Removing Cylinder For Timing Chain Tensioning Piston

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Install special tool 11 4 220.

Fig 3: Installing Timing Chain Tensioning Tool

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Fit adjusting screw to bow cover.

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 Nm.

Fig 4: Preload Timing Belt Tensioning Rail

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Unscrew oil pressure pipe.

Fig 5: Removing Oil Pressure Pipe

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

Fig 6: Installing Special Tool With Oil Pressure Line Banjo Bolt

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Fig 7: Identifying VANOS Adjustment Unit

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Connect compressed air (2 to 8 bar).

Fig 8: Connecting Compressed Air To Special Tool

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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: Cranking Engine Twice Until Cam Tips Face Each Other

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Pull dust guard out of the special tool bore.

Fig 10: Removing Dust Guard

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

Fig 11: Install Flywheel Locking Tool

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Remove special tool 11 2 300 before starting engine.

Automatic Transmissions Only: 

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

Fig 12: Identifying Special Tool Bore On Flex Plate

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Unscrew studs.

Fig 13: Removing Studs From Cylinder Head

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Place special tool 11 3 240 on camshafts.

Fig 14: Placing Special Tool 11 3 240 On Camshafts

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The timing must be reset if the special tool 11 3 240 protrudes to the exhaust side.

If necessary, adjust camshaft timing. Refer to 11 31 505 ADJUSTING CAMSHAFT TIMING (M52TU/M54/M56) .

Fig 15: Checking Camshaft Timing

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Detach compressed air connection.

Remove special tool 11 3 450.

Fig 16: Detaching Compressed Air Connection

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Fit oil pressure line with new seals.

Tightening torque, refer to 11 36 2AZ in ENGINE MECHANICAL - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 530I (E39) .

Fig 17: Fitting Oil Pressure Line With New Seals

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Remove special tool 11 3 240.

Fig 18: Removing Special Tool 11 3 240

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Remove special tool 11 2 300.

Fig 19: Removing Flywheel Locking Tool

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Install dust guard from inspection bore.

Unfasten and remove special tool 11 4 220.

Fig 20: Removing Special Tool 11 4 220

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Install cylinder for chain tensioning piston. Refer to 11 31 090 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING CHAIN TENSIONING PISTON (M52/M52TU/M54/M56) .

Fig 21: Installing Cylinder For Chain Tensioning Piston

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Assemble engine.