BMW 3 Series Service Manual (E39)

Camshaft Timina chain1

-Remove viscous clutch cooling fan. See 170 Radiator and Cooling System.

CAUTlOEIC

The radiatorcooling fan nut (32mm wrench) has lefthand

threads.

.

< Remove engine trim covers:

Pry out plastic trim caps (arrows).

.Remove cover fasteners and covers.

4 Remove ignition coils:

0Disconnect ignition coil electrical harness connectors Remove coil mounting fasteners and remove coils. Remove spark plugs.

NOTE-

Make note of ignition coilground strap locations.

Disconnect VANOS electrical harness connector (A) and oil line fitting (B) from VANOS control unit.

NOTE-

Wrap the VANOS oil line fitting with a shop rag to absorb leaking oil.

-Disconnect cranltcase breather by squeezing at arrows,

-Remove cylinder cover mounting fasteners and remove cylinder head cover.

NOTE-

The cylinder head cover mounting bolt insulators and gas. kets shouldbe reinstalled in their original positions. Make note of their arrangement during removal.

Remove front engine lifting bracketfasteners (arrows A) and remove bracket.

-Remove cable duct clips (arrows B)from front of VANOS control unit.

Rotate engine clocltwise and set camshafts to Top Dead Center (TDC). Cylinder 1 camshaft lobes will point towards each other (arrows).

4 Remove plug from below starter and install crankshaft locking tool (BMW special tool 11 2 300).

Camshaft Timing Chain

4 Unscrew and remove cylinder head cover studs (arrows) at rear of cylinder head.

%Secure camshafts in TDC position using BMW special tool set 11 3 240.

4 Remove access plugs (arrows) from VANOS control unit.

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Camshaft Timing Chain

4Loosen 4 bolts (arrows) from exhaust camshait sprocket (Torx E10).

Press down on secondary chaintensioner and lock into place using BMW special tool 11 3 292 or a similar size pin.

NOTE-

Two types of secondary timing chain tensioners are used; one with two holes, and one with a single hole for the locl<ing pin tool.

Remove VANOS control unit mounting fasteners at front of cylinder head.

4 Install sprocltet rotating tool (BMW special tool 11 5 490) on exhaust camshaft.

-Rotate exhaust camshaft sprocket clockwise while sliding VANOS control unit forward to remove from cylinder head.

Camshaft Timing chain1

VANOS control unit, installing (M52 engine)

CAUTION-

Incorrectinstallationof the VANOS controlunit may resultin damage to the engine.

-Make sure camshafts and crankshaft are loclted in TDC position with BMW special tools as described during VANOS removal.

<Rotate exhaust camshaft sprocket clocltwise (asviewed from front of engine) using BMW special tool 11 5 490, until detent position stop is reached.

4 Apply a small amount of liquid gasket sealer (Three Bond 1209 8 or equivalent) to VANOS housing alignment dowels on front of cylinder head. Install a new gasket.

<Push VANOS piston gear cup (arrow) into VANOS housing until it bottoms out. Position VANOS control unit in front of camshafts, but do not engage splines on gear cup.

Camshaft Timing Chain/

----- - . -- .-.

Tighten exhaust camshaft sprocket mounting bolts (arrows) alternately in two stages.

-Remove crankshaft locking tool and camshaft locking tool set.

-install camshaft gear bolt access plugs using new sealing washers and tighten.

-Remove timing chain tensioning tool from side of cylinder head. Install primary chain tensioner with new sealing washer and tighten.

-Check adjustment VANOS system, see VANOS timing, checking and adjusting (M52 engine).

Camshaft Timing Chain

4 Disconnect VANOS electrical harness connector (A) and oil line fitting (B)from VANOS control unit.

NOTE-

Wrap the VANOS oil line fitting with a shop rag to absorb leaking oil.

Disconnect cranltcase breather by squeezing at arrows.

-Remove cylinder cover mounting fasteners and remove cylinder head cover.

NOTE-

The cylinder head cover mounting bolt insulators andgaslets should be reinstalled in their original positions. Make note of their arrangement during removal.

4 Remove oil baffle cover from intake camshaft

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ICamshaft Timing Chain

4 Remove banjo bolt from VANOS unit oil feed line and install BMW special tool 11 3 450.

NOTE-

Oil will drain from oil feed line.

- Connect compressed air line (with pressure set to 2-8 bar or 30-1 10 psi.) to air fitting.

4 Measure gap (A) between secondary timing chain tensioner and intake camshaft sensor wheel. Make note of distance.

4 Connect cable test (BMW special tool 11 6 410) to VANOS connector. Connect positive clip to positive battery terminal.

-Connect negative clip to battery negative terminal.

CAUTION-

Reversingterminals on specialtool will damage diode on

VANOS solenoidvalve.