11 36 610 Removing and installing/replacing left camshaft adjustment unit (M62 VANOS from 9/98)

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.

Special tools required:

NOTE: For illustration of Special Tools, refer to ENGINE - SPECIAL TOOLS - 5-SERIES (E39) article.

00 9 250
11 2 300
11 2 441
11 2 442
11 2 443
11 2 444
11 2 445
11 2 446
11 3 310
11 4 230
11 4 231
11 4 232
11 5 180
11 6 440
11 6 450
11 6 451
11 6 452
11 7 380

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.

NOTE: In firing TDC position, the inlet camshaft 1 to 4 rotates in the teeth of the camshaft adjustment unit.

CAUTION: This twisting is caused by the position of the cams and is not an indication for incorrect timing.

Fig 1: Identifying Inlet Camshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removal:

Removal of the left camshaft adjustment unit is described separately from installation. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Remove oil lines on left and right of cylinder head.

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 3: Turning Engine In Direction Of Rotation

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E31/E38/E39

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

Fig 4: Identifying Crankshaft In TDC Position With Special Tool 11 2 300

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E53 (X5)

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

Fig 5: Identifying Crankshaft In TDC Position With Special Tool 11 5 180

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove chain tensioning piston.

Remove both timing case covers at top.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Release nut (1) on sensor gear screw connection on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 6: Releasing Nut (1) On Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 7: Removing Sensor Gear (2) On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

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

Fig 8: Release Nut (1) On Sensor Gear Screw Connection On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 9: Removing Sensor Gear (2) On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Slacken screw connection (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 5 to 8 by approx. a half turn.

Fig 11: Slackening Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Releasing Camshaft Screw Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 (2) Of Inlet Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align camshafts.

Attach special tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 to camshafts, cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Fig 15: Attaching Special Tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 To Camshafts, Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Attaching Special Tool 11 2 443 To Special Tool 11 2 445 / 11 2 441 And Secure With Special Tool 11 2 444

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align camshafts.

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

Fig 17: Attaching Special Tool 11 2 446 / 11 2 442 To Camshafts, Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Attaching Special Tool 11 2 443 To Special Tool 11 2 446 / 11 2 442 And Secure With Special Tool 11 2 444

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Compress chain tensioner on cylinder bank 5 to 8 and lock with special tool 11 3 310.

Fig 19: Compressing Chain Tensioner On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Remove screws (1 and 2) on cylinder bank 5 to 8.

Fig 20: Removing Screws (1 And 2) On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull exhaust sprocket wheel (1) and camshaft adjustment unit (2) forwards until they are no longer secured on camshafts.

Fig 21: Removing Exhaust Sprocket Wheel And Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed out timing chain (1) forwards over sprocket wheel of camshaft adjustment unit (2).

Feed out exhaust sprocket wheel with secondary chain and camshaft adjustment unit (2).

Fig 22: Removing Timing Chain

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation

Installation of the left camshaft adjustment unit is described separately from removal. Assembly sequence for removal and installation is different.

Pull up timing chain, position camshaft adjustment unit (2) with exhaust sprocket wheel and fitted secondary chain and feed on timing chain (1) from front over sprocket wheel of camshaft adjustment unit (2).

NOTE: The position of the elongated holes on the exhaust sprocket wheel is not assigned and can be freely selected.

The position of the camshaft adjustment unit (2) when feeding on the timing chain (1) is not assigned and can be freely selected.

Fig 23: Positioning Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position exhaust sprocket wheel (1) and camshaft adjustment unit (2) on camshafts.

Fig 24: Positioning Exhaust Sprocket Wheel (1) And Camshaft Adjustment Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Insert screws (1 and 2) on cylinder bank 5 to 8 and initially tighten without play, but do not tighten down yet.

Fig 25: Inserting Screws (1 And 2) On Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Compress chain tensioner and remove special tool 11 3 310.

Fig 26: Removing Special Tool 11 3 310

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 27: 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 28: 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 29: Inserting 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.

Set multimeter to acoustic continuity test.

Fig 30: 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 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: 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 32: 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 33: 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 34: 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 35: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440 To Camshaft Adjustment Unit

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 36: 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 37: 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 38: Pretensioning Tensioning Rail By Turning Adjusting Screw

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 39: Attaching Special Tool 11 6 440

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 40: 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 41: 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 42: 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 43: 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 44: Tightening Down Screw Connection (2) Of Inlet Camshaft 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 (1) of exhaust camshaft on cylinder bank 1 to 4.

Tightening torque, see 11 36 13AZ in ENGINE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 540i .

Fig 45: Tightening Down Screw Connection (1) Of Exhaust Camshaft On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 46: 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 47: 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 48: Aligning Locating Bore (1) On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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 49: 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 50: Removing 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 51: 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 52: 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 53: Aligning Locating Bore (1) On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 5 To 8