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1 17-34
1 Camshaft Timing Chain
DOUBLE VAMOS SYSTEM
(M52 TU AND M54 ENGINES)
Double VANOS system function
The M52TU and M54 6-cylinder engines are equipped with a
Double VANOS system that varies intake and exhaust cam-
shaft timing.
The main components of the Double VANOS system are:
lntalte and exhaust camshafts with helical spline inserts.
Camshaft sprockets with adjustable gears.
VANOS actuators (two position piston housing with
inter-
nallexternal helical spline cup).
Three-way solenoid switching valves.
Camshaft position impulse wheels.
Hall effect camshaft position sensors.
Camshaft position
IS varied based on engine rpm, throttle po-
sition signal, intake air and coolant temperature.
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Camshaft Timing Chain
1 VANOS I 4 When engine is started, camshafts are in deactivated
camshaft
retarded Engine I i oil supply
position:
. lntalte camshaft is held in RETARDED position by oil
pressure.
Exhaust camshaft is held in ADVANCED position by
preload spring and oil pressure.
VANOS
Piston out
ECM Piston in Within 2
- 5
seconds (50 engine revolutions), the ECM begins
monitoring and controlling camshaft positions.
The Double VANOS system allows full variability of camshaft
timing up to the limits of the system. When the ECM detects
that the camshafts are in optimum position, the solenoids are
modulated at approximately 100
- 220 Hz to maintain oil pres-
sure on both sides of the actuator pistons to maintain timing.
In models with DME
MS 43.0 (model year2001 and newer),
the engine control module (ECM) detects camshaft position
before the engine starts, thereby adjusting camshaft timing
immediately upon start-up.
NOTE-
. VANOS system troubleshooting and diagnostics is best
accomplished using a scan tool.
. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) pertaining to the
VANOS system are listed
in the following table. See also
OED On-Board Diagnostics.
Elevated oil temperatures can cause VANOS to deactivate.
Oil that is too thick (high viscosity) may cause
a DTC to be
set
in the ECM. If VANOS is deactivated (limp-home
mode), there will be a noticeable loss of power.
VANOS fault codes
BMW code P-code Fault description
19
PI529 VANOS solenoid valve activation,
exhaust
21
PI525 VANOS solenoid valve activation,
intake
103
PI519 VANOS faulty reference value
intake
104
PI520 VANOS faulty reference value
exhaust
105
PI522 VANOS stuck (Bank I) intake
106
PI523 VANOS stuck (Bank 2) exhaust
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Camshaft Timing Chain
- Connect electrical harness connectors to camshaft position
sensors and VANOS solenoid valves.
- Remove BMW special locking tools from rear of cylinder
head.
- Remove cranltshaft locking tool and replace sealing plug.
Install intake camshaft baffle and cylinder head cover.
Checlc for correct seating of half-moon seals (A) in back of
cylinder head cover.
Use a small amount of Three Bond 1209
O or equivalent
sealant at corners
(B) of half-moon cutouts.
Similarly, seat gasket and
seal corners in front of cylinder
head, at VANOS control unit.
Tightening torque
Cylinder head cover to cylinder head
(M6) 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torques
Radiator fan (viscous clutch) to
coolant pump 40
Nm (30 ft-lb)
Spark plug to cylinder head
25 Nrn (18 ft-lb)
VANOS timing, checking and adjusting
(M52 TU and M54 engines)
Use this procedure to check and, if necessary, adjust cam-
shaft timing. This procedure assumes that the cylinder head
cover and intake
camshaft plastic baffle have been removed.
Also, be sure the cooling fan and the spark plugs have been
removed.
Remove primary camshaft chain tensioner cylinder
(arrow).
~~ ~ ~~ ~--~
CA UTlOAC
Primary camshaft chain tensioning piston is under spring
pressure.
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I Ignition System
Camshaft position sensors
The camshaft position sensors are used by the englne man-
agement system for VANOS control, sequential fuel injection
and knock control.
Intake camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M52,M52 TU
and M54 engines)
- Make certain ignition has been turned off.
- Remove plastic cover from above fuel injectors by prying off
bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
Remove complete air filter housing:
Disconnect electrical harness connector on mass air flow
sensor
(A).
Detach vacuum line at intake boot (B).
Loosen hose clamp at intake boot and detach air duct con-
nections
(C).
* Disconnect cold air duct tube (D).
Remove filter housing mounting screws (E).
- Disconnect harness connector from VANOS solenoid and
unscrew solenoid from VANOS control unit. Be prepared with
shop rags to catch oil released from VANOS unit.
Remove camshaft sensor (arrow) from
left front of cyl~nder
head, next to top of oil filter housing.
Disconnect camshaft sensor harness from under intake
manifold. Prior to removal, attach a stiff piece of wire to the
harness connector end to preserve proper routing of harness
for reinstallation.
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use new O-rings when installing sensor and solenoid.
Be sure wiring is rerouted in same orientation.
Use scan tool to read out and clear
ECM fault memory
Tightening torques
-
Intake camshaft sensor to cylinder head 10 Nrn (7 ft-lb)
VANOS solenoid to VANOS control unit 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)