1993 BMW M3 Vanos

116-
4



CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN

NOTE-

"
The
camshaft
bearing
caps
are
coded
with
a
letter
anda
number
.
Forexample,
'541"is
the
exhaustcam-
shaft
bearing
cap
at
the
front
of
the
engine,
and
`El"
is
the
intake
camshaft
bearing
cap
at
the
front
of
the
engine
.

"
Camshafts
are
stamped
with
a
code
letter-'E"
for
the
intakeside
and
A"
for
the
exhaust
side
.

"
"E"
isfor
Einla3,
(German
for
intake)
and
A"
is
for
Auspuff,
(Germen
for
exhaust)
.

"
The
front
of
the
engine
is
at
the
front
of
the
car
.

8
.
Camshaft
installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the

following
:

"
Prior
to
installation,
check
all
components
for
wear
as

described
below
underCylinder
Head
and
Val-

vetrain
Reconditioning
.
"
Lubricate
camshafts
prior
to
installation
.
"
Reinstall
timing
chain
sprockets
and
tensioner
and
set
valve
timing
before
reinstalling
rocker
arms,as
spe-

cifically
described
in
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.

"
Be
sure
corresponding
camshaft
lobe
is
pointing
up

before
installing
rocker
arms
.
Note
that
each
rocker
arm
angles
away
from
corresponding
spark
plug
hole
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

"
Wait
at
least
10
minutes
for
hydraulic
cam
followers
to
fully
compress
before
cranking
engine
over
with
start-

er
for
the
first
time
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Camshaft
bearing
caps

to
cylinder
head
(M7)
.............
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)

"
Cylinder
head
cover

to
cylinder
head
(M6)
.............
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Primary
timing
chain
tensioner
plug

to
cylinder
head
.
................
40
Nm
(30
ft-lb)
(sea
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain)

"
Spark
plugs
(M12)
.............
...
23
Nm
(17
ft-lb

Timing
chaincover
(upper)
to
cylinder
head
M6
.....
.
.
...
................
.
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)
M7
....
..
.
.
........
.
.....
.
...
.
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)

"
Timing
chain
sprockets
to
camshaft

M6
....
.
.
..
..............
.
..
..
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)
M7
....
....
..............
.
..
..
.15
Nm
(11
ft
.lb)
(sea
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain)

Camshafts,
removing
and
installing

(6-cylinder
engine)

Camshafts
on
6-cylinder
engines
can
be
removed
with
the
cylinder
head
mounted
on
the
engine
.
The
first
step
is
to
re-
move
the
cylinder
head
cover
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head
Re-
moval
and
Installation
.

CYLINDER
HEAD,
DISASSEMBLYAND
ASSEMBLY

Fig
.
4
.



Correct
installation
position
ofrocker
arms
(arrows)
on
M44
engine
.

Special
BMW
service
tools
should
always
be
used
to
re-

move
and
instan
the
camshafts
.
Removal
of
camshafts
with-

outthe
special
tools
can
result
in
personal
injury
and/or
cylinder
head
damage
.

WARNING
-

The
processof
evenly
loosening
the
camshaft
bear-
ing
cap
nuts
is
NOT
en
acceptable
method
of
re-
moving
the
camshafts
.
Special
tools
shouldalways
be
used
lo
remove
the
camshafts
.
Be
sure
to
read
the
procedure
through
before
starting
ajob
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpaga
viii
.

516
2
.
Setengine
to
TDC
and
lock
into
position
by
installing
BMW
special
tool
11
2
300
through
transmission
bell-
housing
and
into
hole
in
flywheel
or
drive
platea
See
Fig
.
5
.

NOTE-

Arrows
on
camshaft
sprockets
shouldbe
pointing
up
.
Sea
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.

3
.
Remove
VANOS
control
unit
from
cylinder
head
.
Re-
move
timing
chainsprockets
from
camshafts
.
See117

Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.

4
.
Remove
sparkplugs
and
insta¡¡
BMW
special
tool
11
3
260/11
3
270
to
cylinder
head
.
Tighten
tool
retaining
bolts
in
spark
plug
holes
.
Do
not
ovar-tighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

GENERAL
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
117-1



Camshaft
timing
chains,
removing

(6-cylinder
engines)
....
.
....
..
....
..
...
.117-7
CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN,



Camshaft
timing
chains,
installing
4-CYLINDER
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
...
117-2



6-clinderen
nes



117-11
Camshaft
timingchain,
removing



(



y



gi

(4-cylinder
engines)
...
..
....
..
...
...
....
117-2



VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)
.
..
117-14

Camshaft
timingchain,
installing



VANOS
system
operation,
testing
.....
.
....
117-14

(4-cylinder
engines)



...
..
...
....
..
.
.....
117-4



VANOS
control
unit,
removing
.
..
..........
117-16

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,



VANOS
control
unit,
installing
..
..
..........
117-17

6-CYLINDER
.
.........................
117-6

GENERAL

117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain

This
repair
group
covers
timing
chain
repair
information
for

the
4-
and
6-cylinder
engines
.

4-cylinder
enginesuse
one
double-row
chain
to
drive
the

dual
overhead
camshafts
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.
1
.



M44
engine
valvetrain
chain
drive
.
M42
engine
is
similar
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-1

6-cylinder
enginesusetwo
chains
to
drive
the
camshafts
.
A

primary
chain
is
driven
off
the
crankshaft
and
drives
the
prima-

ry
sprocket
on
the
exhaustcamshaft
.
The
secondary
chain

drives
the
intake
camshaft
.
Each
chain
is
tensioned
by
a
hy-

draulic
tensioner
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

The
timing
chainsare
lubricated
by
engine
oil
and
do
not
re-`

quire
maintenance
.
A
worn
timing
chain
and
sprockets
can

lead
to
noisy
operation
and
erratic
valve
timing
.
A
faulty
ten-

sioner
can
also
cause
timing
chaín
noises
.

Primarychain

NOTE-

See
100
Engine-General
for
engine
code
and
applica-

tion
information
.

Secondary
chain
tensioner

Secondary
chain
B11115

Fig
.
2
.



Cutaway
view
of
camshaft
timing
chains
on1963
and
later
6-

cylinder
engine
with
VANOS
.

GENERAL

117-
8



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

Fig
.
18
.
Oil
baffle'
cover
being
removed
.

Fig
.
19
.
Upper
timing
chaincover
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
on
pre-
VANOS
engines
.

16
.
Secure
crankshaft
hub
to
prevent
crankshaft
from
turn-
ing
.
Using
a
socket,
loosen
but
do
not
remove
crank-
shaft
hub
center
bolt
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

Fig
.
20
.
Engine
set
to
approximate
TDC
.
Camshaft
lobes
face
in
and
arrows
on
sprockets
point
up
(arrows)
.

B1
1123a

Fig
.
21
.
O/
T
(0°TDC)
mark
on
vibration
damper
aligned
with
boss
on
timing
chain
cover
(arrow)
.

17
.
Lock
crankshaft
in
TDC
position
by
inserting
BMW
spe-

cial
tool
no
.
11
2
300
through
transmissionbellhousing
and
into
hole
in
flywheelor
drive
plate
.
See
Fig
.
23
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotate
the
crankshaft
.
NOTE-

The
crankshaft
hub
center
bolt
is
tightened
to
a
torque



18
.
Remove
crankshaft
hub
bolt
and
washer
.
Remove
hub
of
410
Nm
(300
ft-ib)
.
A
heavy
duty
holding
device,



from
crankshaft
.
suchas
BMW
special
tool
no
.
112150,
should
be
used
to
hold
the
crankshaft
hub
stationary
while
the
bolt
is



19
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
at
rear
of
loosened
.
Use
a
heavy
duty
314-inch
drive
socket
and



head
.
Lock
camshafts
at
TDC
using
BMW
special
tool
breaker
bar
to
break
the
bolt
free
.



no
.
11
3
240
at
ends
of
camshafts
.
See
Fig
.
24
.
.

Fig
.
22
.
Vibration
damper
with
drive
belt
pulley
being
removed
.
Notehub
locating
dowel
(arrow)
.

Fig
.
23
.
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
2
300
installed
through
bellhousing
and
into
flywheel
.

20
.
Remove
primary
chain
tensioner
plug
and
primary

chain
tensioner
.
See
Fig
.
25
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
9

Fig
.
24
.
BMW
special
tool
no
.
113
240
installed
on
rear
of
camshafts
to
position
camshafts
at
TDC
.
(M44
camshafts
shown
.
Other
engines
are
similar
.)

Fig
.
25
.
Primary
chain
tensioner
plug
(arrow)
.

CAUTION-

"
Check
thattool
is
squarely
seated
on
cytinder
head
gasket
surface
.
If
necessary,
rotate
cam-
shafts
slightly
using
a
24
mm
wrench

"
On
pre-VANOS
engines
(engines
built
up
to
8-
92),
the
camshaft
locking
tool
may
not
fit
correct-
ly
when
the
crankshaft
is
set
to
TDC
.
Do
notas-
sume
the
valve
train
is
out
oftime
.
On
some
engines,
valve
overlap
may
havebeen
reduced

as
a
dealer
service
campaign
to
correct
for
an

uneven
idle
.
Check
thetiming
by
placing
a
3mm
drill
bit
under
the
left
and
right
outside
edges
while
pressíng
down
on
thecenter
of
the
tool
(tool
center
bolts
loosened)
.
If
the
tool
now
fits,

the
campaign
has
beendone
on
the
engine
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

117-
1
0



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

21
.
On
1993
and
lates
engines
:
Remove
access
plugs
from



24
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:

VANOS
control
unit
in
front
of
exhaust
camshaft



"
Remove
VANOS
control
unit
as
described
laterinthis
sprocket
.
Remove
4
bolts
from
exhaust
camshaft



repair
group
.
sprocket
(useTono
El0
socket)
.
See
Fig
.
26
.



"
Remove
intake
camshaft
sprocket
mounting
nuts
.

"
Remove
intake
and
exhaust
sprockets
together
with

secondary
chain
.
Note
location
of
thrust
washers
and

spring
plate
(where
applicable)
on
intake
sprocket
.

Fig
.
26
.
Exhaust
camshaftmounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

0013056

22
.
Depress
secondary
timing
chain
tensiones
and
lock

down
by
inserting
stiff
wire
into
the
openings
in
rear
of
tensioner
.
See
Fig
.
27
.

Fig
.
27
.
Secondary
timing
chaintensioner
being
locked
down
on
M50
engine
.
Press
tensioner
downand
insert
locking
wire
through
holes(arrows)
.
Tensioner
on
M52/S52
US
engines
vary
slight-

23
.
Remove
secondary
chain
tensioner
and
lift
out
primary
chain
guide
.

NOTE-

Hold
the
camshaft
stationary
(at
hex
on
camshaft)
when
loosening
ortightening
sprocket
mounting
boits
.

CAUTION-

The
crankshaft
must
not
be
allowed
to
rotate
once
the
timing
chain
is
removed
.
The
pistons
can
con-
tact
the
valves
.

25
.
On
1992
engines
:

"
Remove
from
intake
and
exhaust
sprocket
mounting

bolts
.
"
Remove
sprockets
together
with
secondary
chain
.

26
.
Remove
bolts
holding
lower
timing
chain
cover
to
cylin-

der
head
(use
Torx
E8
socket)
.
See
Fig
.
28
.

MR111:
R

Fig
.
28
.
Cylinderhead-to-timingchain
covermounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

27
.
Using
a
drift,
drive
two
locatiog
dowels
in
left
and
right

sides
of
lower
timing
chaincover
toward
rear
of
car
.
Re-
move
covermounting
boits
and
carefully
lift
cover
off
.
See
Fig
.
29
.

CA
UTION-

Use
care
when
removing
the
cover
from
the
cylin-
der
head
gasket
.
If
the
cover
is
stuck,
useasharp
knife
to
separate
it
from
the
head
gasket
.

9)
B11126

Fig
.
29
.
Lower
timing
chain
cover
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
anddowel
locations
(A)
.
Coolant
hose
fitting
B
is
replaced
by
coolant
pipe
pressure
fitting
in
later
models
.

28
.
Remove
remaining
Torx
bolt
from
timing
chain
guide
.

See
Fig
.
30
.

Fig
.
30
.
Timing
chainguide
mounting
bolt(A)
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
11

29
.
Lift
primary
chain
sprocket
off
exhaust
camshaft
and
remove
chain
.

NOTE-

"
If
any
of
the
sprockets
are
being
replaced
due
to
wear,
the
chain
should
also
be
replaced
.

"
If
the
crankshaft
sprocket
requires
replacement,
the
oil
pump
drive
sprocket
and
chain
must
be
removed
as
described
under
119
Lubrication
System
.

Camshaft
timing
chains,
installing

(6-cylinder
engines)

Inspecttiming
chainsprockets
.
Sprockets
that
haveworn
or

missing
teeth
should
be
replaced
.
Inspect
guide
rail
and
ten-

sioner
rail
for
deep
grooves
caused
by
chain
contact
.
Replace
any
parí
that
is
worn
.

The
procedure
outlined
below
assumes
that
the
camshafts

and
the
crankshaft
are
locked
in
the
TDC
installation
position

with
special
tools
(shown
earlier
in
Fig
.
23
and
Fig
.
24)
.

NOTE-
NOTE-



On
pre-VANOS
engines
(engines
built
up
to
8-92),
the

"
The
timing
chain
cover
can
be
removed
with
the
cool-



camshaft
locking
tool
(Fig
.
24)should
be
raised
upon

ant
pump
installed
.



eitherside
by
3mm
(use
feeler
gauge
or
dril¡
bits)
.
Be
sure
the
clamping
bolts
on
tool
are
loose
and
thecenter

"
Use
care
when
removing
the
chain
cover
from
the



of
the
tool
is
contacting
the
cylinder
head
surface
.
This

coolant
pipe
or
hose
at
the
rearof
the
cover
.



service
campaign
helps
improve
idle
characteristics
by
reducing
valve
overlap
.

1
.
Install
primary
timing
chain
to
crankshaft
sprocket
and

tie
it
up
through
cylinder
head
opening
.

2
.
Using
new
gaskets
and
coolant
pipe
O-ring
;
insta¡¡
low-

ertiming
chain
cover
:

"
Drive
timing
cover
doweis
inuntil
they
just
protrude

slightly
from
sealing
surface
.
"
Apply
a
small
bead
of
silicon
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
©
or

equivalent)
to
corners
of
cylinder
head
where
timing

cover
meets
cylinder
head
and
engine
block
.

"
Tap
cover
into
position
to
engage
doweis
.

"
Install
mounting
bolts
hand
tight,
including
two
outer

Torx
bolts
from
above
.

"
Drive
doweis
in
flush
to
front
of
cover
.

"
Tighten
cover
mounting
bolts
alternately
and
in
stages
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Lower
timing
cover
to
cylinder
block

M7
................
...
..
.
.....
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)

M8
.............
.
.
...
.........
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

3
.
Insta¡¡
oil
pan
using
a
new
gasket
.
See
119
Lubrication

Systern
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

117-
1
2



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

4
.
Mount
primary
timing
chain
sprocket
to
primary
chain

so
that
arrowon
sprocket
faces
up
.
Mount
sprocket
to

camshaftso
that
tapped
holes
in
camshaftare
on
left

side
of
elongated
holes
in
sprocket
.
See
Fig
.
31
.

NOTE-

On
engines
built
beginning
from
March
1995,
the
VANOS
intake
cam
sprocket
assembly
was
updated
to
ínclude
a
spring
plate
and
two
thrust
washers
.
See
Fig
.

Fig
.
31
.
Primary
timing
chain
sprocket
correctly
alignedto
exhaust



33
.
camshaft
.
Elongated
sprocket
holes
should
be
aligned
to
left
side
of
threaded
camshaft
holes
.

5
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:Install
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11-3
390
into
primary
timíng
chain
tensionersleeve
.
Thread
toolin
finger
tight
until
slack
is
removed
from

chain
.

"
Check
that
elongatedholes
in
primary
sprocket
are

centered
to
bolt
holes
in
camshaft
and
chain
is
free
of
slack
.

NOTE-

BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
390
ís
a
dummy
primary
chaín
tensioner
and
simulatesthe
function
of
the
hy-
draulic
tensíoner
.

7
.
Install
cylinder
identification
trigger
píate
to
front
of
in-

take
camshaft
.
On
1993
and
later
engines,
instanthrust
washer
tofrontof
intake
camshaft
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

B11136

Fig
.
32
.
Secondary
chain
sprockets
being
installed
.
Attach
sprockets
with
arrows
pointing
up
and
elongated
holes
centered
to
threaded
holes
in
shaft
flange
.

6
.
Install
primary
timing
chainguide
and
secondary
chain
tensioner
.
Tighten
mounting
bolts
.
(Tensioner
remains



Fig
.
33
.
VANOS
spring
plate
and
thrust
washers
on
engines
built
3/95locked
down
for
now
.)



and
later
.

10
.
On
1993
and
later
cars,
tighten
nuts
at
intake
camshaft
sprocket
.

8
.
Insta¡¡
secondary
chainsprockets
and
chain
asan
as-
sembly
so
that
arrows
on
sprockets
are
pointing
up
.



Tightening
Torque
(1996
and
later)

Centermounting
holes
in
sprockets
tobolt
holes
in



"
Intake
camshaft
sprocket
nut
camshafts
.
See
Fig
.
32
.



to
stud
(M6)
.............
.10t
1
Nm
(89
±9
in-lb)

9
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Insta¡¡
thrust
washers
and
spring
plate
(where
applicable)
to
intake
cam
sprocket
.



11
.
On
1992
engines
:
Insta¡¡
primary
chain
tensioner
so
that
cutout
in
tensioner
piston
engages
chain
rail
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
Check
that
chain
is
free
of
slack
.

Fig
.
34
.
Primary
timíng
chain
tensioner
being
instafed
.
Pistoncutout
mustbe
in
position
shown
to
engage
chain
rail
.

12
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Install
VANOS
control
unit

as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

13
.
Unlock
and
release
secondary
chaintensioner
.



NOTE-

On
pre-VANOS
engines,
be
sure
toinstall
the
3mm
drill
bits
on
left
and
right
sides
of
tool
.
14
.
On
1992
engines
:
Tighten
intake
and
exhaust
timing
chain
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
two
stages,
working
at
intake
side
first
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Secondary
timing
chaira
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
....
.
.
.
...
...............
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)
Stage
2
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
................
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

15
.
On
1992
engines
:
Install
upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head
using
a
new
gasket
.
Apply
a
small

amount
ofliquid
gasket
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
®
orequiv-

alent)
around
coveralignment
dowels
.

16
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Preloadprimary
chain
by
tightening
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
390
(dummy



21
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
.
Insta¡¡
oil
chain
tensioner)
to
1
.3
Nm
(11
in-lb)
.
Then
tighten
ex-



baffle
cover
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
.
haust
camshaft
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
twostages
.

Tightening
Torques
(1993
and
later
engines)

"
Exhaust
camshaft
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
..
...
..
..
................
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)

Stage
2
.....
.
.
...
..............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

17
.
Remove
flywheel
locking
tool
from
transmission
bell-

housing
.
Remove
camshaft
locking
tool
from
rear
of

cylinder
head
.

CAMSHAFT'TIMING
CHAIN



117-
1
3

18
.
Insta¡¡
crankshaft
hubandwasher
while
aligning
woo-
druff
key
.
Hold
hub
stationary
and
tighten
mounting
bolt
.
Install
vibration
damper
and
pulley,
making
sure
that
lo-
cating
pin
in
hub
engages
hole
in
vibration
damper
.

NOTE-

When
installing
crankshaft
hub
mounting
bolt,
the
stepped
(shouldered)
sideof
the
washer
should
fase
the
hub
.

Tightening
Torques

Crankshaft
hub
to
crankshaft
(stretch
bolt-
always
replace)
........
410
±
20
Nm
(300
±
15
ft-1b)

"
Vibration
damper
and
pulley

to
crankshaft
hub
(M8)
...
..
.
..
....
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

19
.
Turn
engine
over
by
hand
in
direction
of
rotation
atleast
two
full
rotations
.
Reinstall
camshaft
and
crankshaft
locking
tools
to
check
engine
timing
.
Remove
locking
tools
if
no
faults
are
found
.

20
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Remove
BMW
special
tool11
3
390
(dummy
tensioner)
.
Install
primary
chain
ten-sioner
so
that
cutout
in
tensioner
piston
engages
the
chain
rail
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
Install
and
tighten
access
plugs

in
VANOS
control
unit
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Access
plugs

to
VANOS
control
unit
..........
.
..
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

"
Primary
timing
chain
tensioner
to
tensioner
sleeve

M50/S50US
engine
.......
.
..
..
.
.
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

M52/S52US
engine
..........
..
.
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover

to
cylinder
head
............
...
.
.10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER