11 31 025 Removing and installing/replacing intake camshaft (N12)

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Remove ADJUSTING UNIT for intake camshaft.
Remove INTERMEDIATE LEVER .
Remove EXHAUST CAMSHAFT .

IMPORTANT: The screws of the bearing bracket must not be opened.
Releasing the bearing bracket will result in damage to the cylinder head.

Fig 1: Identifying Bearing Bridge With Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing cap (1) marked 5 is a thrust bearing.

Release screws of bearing caps (1 to 5).

Set all bearing caps down in special tool 11 4 481 in a neat and orderly fashion.

Remove camshaft (6).

Installation note:

Clean all bearing positions and lubricate with oil.

Check plain rectangular compression rings for damage.

Fig 2: Identifying Bearing Caps And Cam Shaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Metal plain rectangular compression ring

IMPORTANT: Plain rectangular compression rings (1) can easily break.

Only replace plain rectangular compression rings (1) when they are broken.

The plain rectangular compression rings have catches at the joint.

Press plain rectangular compression rings (1) apart upwards and downwards and removed towards front.

Fig 3: Pressing Plain Compression Rings

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make sure plain rectangular compression rings (1) can move freely.

Installation note:

When intake camshafts are inserted, no joint must point to a separating joint.

Plastic plain rectangular compression ring

Insert plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) into groove of intake camshaft (2) (see arrow).

Lightly oil plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) and rotate in direction of arrow until plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1) is positioned on the intake camshaft.

Fig 4: Inserting Plastic Rectangular Compression Ring Into Intake Camshaft Groove

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check plastic plain rectangular compression ring (1 and 2) for freedom of movement.

Fig 5: Identifying Plastic Rectangular Compression Rings

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Both camshafts have different identifications.
Mixing up the two camshafts will result in engine damage.
EX Exhaust camshaft.
IN Intake camshaft

Fig 6: Identifying Designations For Inlet Camshaft (IN) And Exhaust Camshaft (EX)