11 36 615 Removing and installing/replacing right camshaft adjustment unit (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 the right 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 1: Pulling Up Timing Chain

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

Fig 2: Positioning Exhaust Sprocket Wheel And Camshaft Adjustment Unit On Camshafts

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CAUTION: Left-hand threads.

Insert screws (1 and 2) on cylinder bank 1 to 4 and initially tighten without play, but do not tighten down yet.

Fig 3: Inserting Screws (1 And 2) On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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Compress chain tensioner and remove special tool 11 3 310.

Fig 4: Removing Special Tool 11 3 310

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

Fig 5: Fitting Special Tool 11 7 380 To Right Cylinder Head On Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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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 6: Identifying Shorter Special Tool Kit 11 4 230

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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 7: Inserting Special Tool 11 4 230

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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 8: Setting Multimeter To Acoustic Continuity Test

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

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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 10: Tightening Screw Connection

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

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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 12: Setting Multimeter To Acoustic Continuity Test

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

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

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

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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 16: Pretensioning Tensioning Rail By Turning Adjusting Screw

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

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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 18: Gripping Camshaft At Hexagon Head

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fig 24: Attaching Sensor Gear (2) To Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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

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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 26: Aligning Locating Bore (1) On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 1 To 4

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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 27: Tightening Down Nut On Sensor Gear Screw Connection

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

Fig 28: Removing Special Tool 11 6 451 From Right Cylinder Head

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

Fig 29: Attaching Sensor Gear (2) To Cylinder Bank 5 To 8

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

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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 31: Aligning Locating Bore (1) On Sensor Gear Of Cylinder Bank 5 To 8