Replacing All Main Crankshaft Bearing Shells

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 BMW 530i, 2002 BMW 530i, and 2001 BMW 530i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Engine dismantled, refer to 11 21 500 REPLACING CRANKSHAFT (M52/S52/M52TU/M54/M56) .

For M54/B20

NOTE: Injection nozzles for cooling the pistons are installed in the bores of bearing seats 2 to 7.

Fig 1: Identifying Injection Nozzles B20

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M54 B25/B30

NOTE: Injection nozzles for cooling the pistons are installed on the underside of the cylinder between the bearing seats.

Fig 2: Identifying Injection Nozzles B25/B30

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Installation:

Screw threads are coated with screw securing adhesive (Loctite).

Replace screws.

IMPORTANT: Observe grinding stage of crankshaft, refer to 11 21 Crankshaft and Bearings M54 in ENGINE - TECHNICAL DATA .

Fig 3: Identifying Grinding Stage Of Crankshaft

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Installation:

When replacing the bearing shells (also for replacement crankshaft), classification for bearing shell arrangement in engine block is waived.

Insert bearing shells with yellow color coding in engine block.

Fig 4: Identifying Coding Marks Of Crankshaft & Bearing Shells

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NOTE:

Install bearing shells with continuous lubricant groove and one retaining lug in engine block.
Fit bearing shells without continuous lubricant groove and two retaining lugs in bearing cover.

Fig 5: Identifying Bearing Shell Types

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NOTE: The axial guide on the crankshaft is fitted to bearing point 6.

Insert pilot bearing shell in the engine block.

Fig 6: Identifying Axial Guide/Pilot Bearing Shell On Crankshaft

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Install crankshaft.

NOTE: The crankshaft is marked with yellow, green or white paint according to the tolerance of the main journal.

Fig 7: Identifying Crankshaft Coding Mark

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Installation:

The bearing shell classification for the bearing cover is marked on the crankshaft in yellow, green or white paint.

Insert main bearing shells with same crankshaft color coding in main bearing caps.

Fig 8: Installing Main Bearing Shells

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The bearing shells are marked with yellow, green or white paint.

Bearing shell
Guide bearing

Fig 9: Identifying Bearing Shell And Guide Bearing

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Observe grinding stage of main bearing journals, refer to 11 21 Crankshaft and Bearings M54 in ENGINE - TECHNICAL DATA .

NOTE:

Bearing caps 1 to 5 are marked on exhaust side.
Bearing caps 6 and 7 are not designated.
Bearing cap 6 is a thrust bearing.

Fig 10: Identifying Bearing Cap Placement

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Check clearance on main crankshaft bearing.

Install crankshaft and place special tool 00 2 590 (Plastigage Type PG1) on oil-free crankshaft.

Do not twist crankshaft.

Fig 11: Checking Clearance On Main Crankshaft Bearing

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Install main bearing cap so that grooves in main bearing shell guide are one side.

Align main bearing cap flush with side of bearing seat.

Fig 12: Installing Main Bearing Cap

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Installation:

To check main bearing clearance, use the old main bearing screws.

There must be no oil in the blind holes (risk of cracking).

Tighten down main bearing screws with jointing torque.
Tighten down main bearing bolts with special tool 00 9 120 to angle of rotation.

Tightening torque, refer to 11 11 1AZ in ENGINE MECHANICAL - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 530I (E39) .

Fig 13: Tightening Down Main Bearing Screws

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Remove main bearing cap and read off bearing clearance at width of pinched plastic thread on measuring scale.

Fig 14: Identifying Bearing Clearance

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Radial crankshaft bearing clearance, refer to 11 21 Crankshaft and Bearings M54 in ENGINE - TECHNICAL DATA .

If necessary, to correct bearing clearance, fit new bearing shells with a different color coding.

Remove plastic thread.

Coat main bearing shells and crankshaft with engine oil.

Install main bearing cap so that grooves in main bearing shell guide are one side.

Align main bearing cap flush with side of bearing seat.

Fig 15: Installing Main Bearing Caps

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Installation:

Always replace bolts of main bearing cap with new bolts.

There must be no oil in the blind holes (risk of cracking).

NOTE: The reinforcement plates are not fitted on engines with gray cast iron engine blocks or on engines with oil pumps integrated in oil scrapers.

Installation:

Install reinforcement plates and fit screws with zero backlash.

Install main bearing shells and abut firmly.

Tighten down screw connection on reinforcement plates.

Fig 16: Installing Reinforcement Plates

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Tightening specifications for main bearing:

Tighten all screws on main bearing cover with jointing torque.
Unfasten screws on main bearing cover 6.
Strike back and front of crankshaft with plastic hammer to center thrust bearing (do not damage crankshaft).
Tighten screws of main bearing cover 6 with jointing torque.
Tighten down all screws of main bearing caps with special tool 11 2 110 or with special tool 00 9 120 to torsion angle.

Tightening torque, refer to 11 11 1AZ in ENGINE MECHANICAL - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 530I (E39) .

Fig 17: Torquing Main Bearing Caps

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Check axial play.

Fig 18: Checking Axial Play

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If permitted end float is exceeded, check crankshaft, guide bearing shells and engine block, replacing if necessary, end float. Refer to 11 21 Crankshaft and Bearings M54 in ENGINE - TECHNICAL DATA .