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Old 01-09-2017, 01:32 AM
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Thumbs up Camshaft Tining, intake cam, and weird positions on 2002 X5 with M54

Hi All,

Can somebody with knowledge about timing the M54 6 cylinder please provide some feedback? I let my X5 sit a year after replacing head gasket last year, due to timing issues. I rented the German auto solutions professional timing kit, after attempting to time it myself with wood tools I built last year to do the job which I likely failed at.

I noticed a couple things that concerned me:

When the exhaust camshaft timing mark on the primary timing chain is lined up with the head aluminum surface top, the bolt holes don't seem to line up right when the timing mark is in correct location. Any suggestion on what isn't lined up right?

Next the intake camshaft is seriously freaking me out because the front 3/4 of the camshaft rotates quite a bit while rear stays stationary, and I am concerned it's not normal.

Lastly the intake camshaft I assumed should be around a 10:30 position on the first little arm that sticks out, and exhaust at about 1:30, but it doesn't, seem toatch up right on other arms when I rotate it to that position. Is it that one is one turn ahead or behind? And should intake cam be wound up clock wise or counterclockwise?



Thanks for any advice you are able to provide!

Sincerely,

Aaron
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Old 01-09-2017, 11:15 AM
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If no one on here responds, Driveline, Engine & DME Tuning - E46Fanatics
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Old 01-09-2017, 01:38 PM
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Quote:
Next the intake camshaft is seriously freaking me out because the front 3/4 of the camshaft rotates quite a bit while rear stays stationary, and I am concerned it's not normal.
Am I understanding this? You're saying that part of the camshaft rotates, and part does not? If that is indeed what you're saying, then you have a broken camshaft. If not, please clarify because I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're trying to describe.

What instructions did you use for setting the timing? I've done it several times on M54 and M52TÜ engines and it's pretty straightforward. It's pretty hard to get it wrong if you have the correct tools and follow the instructions. I have an E39 Bentley manual that I use. The E39, E46, and E53 all use the same M54 engine so that part of the manual is applicable to each of the models.

If you don't have a manual, pick one up on eBay. They're not cheap, but are worth the price.
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Old 01-09-2017, 06:56 PM
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Here is a video recording of intake camshaft... https://youtu.be/TEsaAv4GDOM
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Old 01-09-2017, 07:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beamer9 View Post
Here is a video recording of intake camshaft... https://youtu.be/TEsaAv4GDOM
Kinda hard to follow what's going on; lots of camera motion.

The entire cam needs to move in unison; you should be able to GENTLY rock it using the wrench lug and watch the lobes. They all need to move the same amount. The cams are hollow/gun drilled.
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Old 01-09-2017, 08:35 PM
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Note the rear of both the exhaust and intake cams are secured with the squares parallel to the head surface, and each having the two holes facing up? That portion of the intake cam was locked, and in the video I was moving the camshaft clockwise and counter clockwise past the first couple camshaft mounting bolts, while the lobes behind it were stationary. Does that clarify my camshaft issue, and if it is broken?

Last edited by beamer9; 01-09-2017 at 11:07 PM.
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Old 01-09-2017, 11:02 PM
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If part of the cam is turning with the locking tool in place, then the cam is broken. I can't think of any way that would be possible if the cam were still one piece.

What method did you use to reinstall the cams when put the head back together? They are kind of brittle and will break if you're not extremely careful.
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Old 01-09-2017, 11:24 PM
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Its been ten months so I don't remember the exact method other than to say I followed the manual and procedure I had at the time which was incrementally tightening the nuts 1/2 turn in order specified with camshaft in a particular position so as not to bend or torque the camshaft. The car ran for about 2 minutes before it stopped. It gave a camshaft position sensor error on the diagnostic. Makes sense if it's busted inside. I'll pull the camshaft in next couple days and report back what I find.

Thanks,

Aaron
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Old 01-10-2017, 09:47 AM
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This may not be helpful to you now, but more than once I've found the holes where the cam bearing studs thread into the head to be stripped. This means the bearing caps can't be properly torqued. If that happens, it's possible that one or more bearing caps are loose, which may be enough to snap the camshaft.

I've gotten into the habit of testing them first by torquing down the caps without the cams installed. If any holes are stripped, I put Time-Serts in them.
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Old 01-22-2017, 02:55 AM
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It was a broken intake camshaft.

It was a broken intake camshaft. I replaced it and finished timing.

Thanks,

Aaron
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