11 31 051 Replacing timing chain (M62 VANOS from 9/98): Installation

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2003 BMW 540i, 2002 BMW 540i, 2001 BMW 540i, 2000 BMW 540i, and 1999 BMW 540i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Installation of timing chain is described separately from removal. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Check guide, reversing and tensioning rails, replace if necessary.

NOTE: There is a small bore in the throttle ring (1).
Check throttle ring (1), replace if necessary.

Insert throttle ring (1) in reversing rail
Replace O-ring (2) and insert in reversing rail
Replace O-ring (3)

Coat O-ring (3) with oil as lubricant.

Fig 1: Checking Throttle Ring (1)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install reversing rail and insert screws (2 and 3).

NOTE: Screws (2) with M6 thread.
Screws (3) with M7 thread.

Tighten screws (2 and 3).

Tightening torque for screws (2 and 3).

See 11 31 10AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 540i .

Fig 2: Installing Reversing Rail And Inserting Screws (2 And 3)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Engines in E53 (X5) have an external oil separator. Grub screw (1) and angle section are not fitted.

Replace grub screw (1).

Insert grub screw only until it makes contact with angle section (1) without play, do not tighten down.

NOTE: The grub screw (1) secures the angle bracket in the cylinder head.

NOTE: The position of the camshaft adjustment unit when fitting and feeding on the timing chain is not assigned and can be freely selected.

Fig 3: Identifying Grub Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install timing chain over reversing rail, camshaft adjustment unit of cylinder bank 5 to 8 and over crankshaft sprocket wheel.

NOTE: Install timing chain inside screw-in pin (1).

Fig 4: Installing Timing Chain Inside Screw-In Pin (1)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed timing chain (1) onto camshaft adjustment unit of cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 5: Feeding Timing Chain (1) Onto Camshaft Adjustment Unit Of Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Raise timing chain slightly in area of guide rail.

Slide guide rail over guide pin until retaining lug can be heard snapping into place on lower guide pin.

Align timing chain to guide rail.

Fig 6: Sliding Guide Rail Over Guide Pin

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Engines in E53 (X5) have an external oil separator. Screw (1) is not fitted.

Insert screws (1 and 2).

Tighten screw (2).

Tighten down screw (1) for oil separator.

Fig 7: Inserting Screws (1 And 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace O-ring (1).

Install oil guide for bow cover in the pivot rail.

Insert screw on tensioning rail.

Fig 8: Identifying O-Ring (1)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press bow cover against the timing chain. Secure bow cover with a plastic strap (1).

Tighten down screw on tensioning rail.

Fig 9: Securing Bow Cover With A Plastic Strap (1)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install timing case cover at bottom.

Install upper oil sump section.

E38/E39

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

Fig 10: Identifying Crankshaft With Special Tool 11 2 300 In TDC Firing Position (E38/E39)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E53 (X5)

Secure crankshaft in TDC position with special tool 11 5 180.

Fig 11: Identifying Crankshaft In TDC Position With Special Tool 11 5 180 E53 (X5)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 12: Fitting Special Tool 11 7 380 To Right Cylinder Head On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 13: Identifying Shorter Special Tool Kit 11 4 230

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

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

Fig 14: Identifying Special Tool 11 4 230

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 5 to 8.

Fig 15: Connecting A Commercially Available Multimeter To A Contact Pin On Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 16: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 17: Tightening Screw Connection (2) Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 18: Tightening Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 19: Setting Multimeter To Acoustic Continuity Test

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 20: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 21: Tightening Screw Connection (2) Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 22: Tightening Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 23: Attach Special Tool 00 9 250 From Underside

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 24: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 25: Gripping Camshaft At Hexagon Head

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 - 540i .

Fig 26: Tightening Down Screw Connection (2) Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 - 540i .

Fig 27: Tightening Down Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

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 28: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 - 540i .

Fig 29: Tightening Down Screw Connection (2) Of Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 14AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 540i .

Fig 30: Tightening Down Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 31: Attaching Sensor Gear (2) To Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 32: Fitting Nut (1) Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 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.

Fig 33: Aligning Locating Bore (1) On Sensor Gear

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

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

Tightening torque, see 11 36 15AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 540i .

Fig 34: Tightening Down Nut (1) On Sensor Gear Screw Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove special tool 11 6 451 from right cylinder head on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 35: Identifying Special Tool 11 6 451 From Right Cylinder Head On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 36: Attaching Sensor Gear (2) To Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 37: Fitting Nut (1) Of Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 38: Identifying Special Tool 11 6 452