Timing the camshafts with engine at TDC
 

Hi all,
I'm wondering how close to TDC I need to be when I'm timing the crankshaft with the camshafts?

I've finished changing the timing chain on my BMW X5. It's a M57N2 diesel engine. The procedure gets you to lock the crankshaft by putting a pin into a special hole on the flywheel. This locks the engine at TDC. Then you can take the old chains off, put the news ones on, and you've kept your timing (You can also check and adjust the timing alignment on the camshafts whilst the engine's locked at TDC.)
Here's my problem though:
Attachment 80669
The pic above shows how to lock the flywheel. But I ended up using a much thinner pin to lock it. Meaning I've got a bit of play and can go between positions 1-3. The procedure would state that the position at which I align camshafts and crankshaft would be #2. But from observing the first cylinder, it's actually closer to TDC at position #3.

Not sure whether to go with position 2 or 3. It's only a few degrees, does it matter?

-simt

I would definitely get the correct size pin in there. Use a drill bit so you can step up in size until you find a perfect match

yeah you definitely need the correct pin. I just got thru doing this (TWICE) and even with the correct pin, there is a scant amount of play that could throw off your timing a degree or two.