Can't install crank bolt N54 engine (timing sprocket alignment)

Robs335iproblems · 05-20-2015, 08:55 AM

Hey, new to the forum, 4th BMW, 2nd 335.

Got an issue that I'm stuck on. I can't reinstall the crank bold back into the crank shaft due to misalignment with the timing and oil pump sprockets. Looking at the picture, I think I can get the oil sprocket concentric, but I'm having a hard time moving the timing sprocket back into position.

Question...do I have to pull the timing cover and release tension on the timing chain? There has to be another way or else that's going to be a real pain and a time consuming process.

The car is a repo, so I can't give a lot of history regarding the condition of everything before I got it. In general, it looks in good shape.

I appreciate any help. Once I get this back in, I can attempt to get the car started (replaced plugs and coils already). Most of the other issues seem to be electronics, some due to a dead battery. Other issues should be solvable through other posts (SOS warning/no audio - needs reprogramming, adaptive headlights, steering angle sensor - $.02 fix, DSC warning, etc.)

Glad to finally be a member and looking forward to posting future DIY's.

pimple · 05-20-2015, 12:47 PM

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_3746

Perhaps tension could be released via the chain tensioner (#7 in the diagram).

Meeni · 05-21-2015, 03:33 AM

You should have locked the chain in place and removed the chain tensionner. If you didn't lock the chain ebfore working on this, I'd be very worried that the timing is off and you will enjoy catastrophic failure upon first start. You would need to have the entire timing done again per spec, not something you should do yourself if you have never done it before.

robthewrench · 05-21-2015, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeni

You should have locked the chain in place and removed the chain tensionner. If you didn't lock the chain ebfore working on this, I'd be very worried that the timing is off and you will enjoy catastrophic failure upon first start. You would need to have the entire timing done again per spec, not something you should do yourself if you have never done it before.

I agree that you should be very careful about the timing here. The oil pump can be aligned without risk, but the timing is a different story.

Supra2k6 · 05-21-2015, 07:52 AM

The chain tensioner is the huge bolt on the passenger side top left on the engine.

And yes i think you ahould have atleast put the timing chain block to lock the timingbefore.

Make sure you spin the engine by hand a couple of times before starting it.

Robs335iproblems · 05-21-2015, 04:04 PM

Tensioner. Duh. Of course. Thanks for the suggestion. I saw the schematic but couldn't find the location until I could visually see it from a picture on a different thread. I'll release the tension and see what that does. Ordered and received a new bolt and washer from getbmwparts and will be working on it this weekend.

Yes, I can ensure the timing is most certainly off. Hoping that I don't have FUBAR engine components. I'm going to pull the valve cover and see where everything lines up.

Poor man's rough timing check taken from the N54 Hydraulic Lifter replacement thread...I'll make sure the flywheel is TDC and then compare the cam locations by looking at the QR codes on the camshaft along with the orientation of the holes in the Vanos plates and by checking the orientation of the cams at back of the engine with a telescoping mirror. Not completely scientific but should get me very close.

Supra2k6 · 05-21-2015, 04:12 PM

Btw the n54 has no timing marks on the cam gears so you cant check timing without having a timing alignment tool.

Id suggest before going through the whole hassle of taking the cover off to sping it by hand. i think your timing should be okay up top. Was the car on tdc when you took off the bolt?

Robs335iproblems · 05-22-2015, 09:47 AM

I found a thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1080990 with these pictures, so I was going to see if I could find the QR codes on the cams. Also, I was going to line up the Vanos plate orientation and check the back of the engine. That should have the cams in a TDC orientation.

Since the timing chain is independent from the crank, I can move the flywheel and get it in TDC. However, I have no idea if that's going to cause bent valve stems as I spin the engine by hand. I'm hoping it'll be ok.

And let's just say, I have no idea where it was when the bolt came off. Not because of anything I did. The engine was cranked while the bolt was off, so I have no idea where anything is, nor do I know what might be waiting for me inside. We are going to see just what German engineering is all about when I'm done...

I bought the car knowing it had issues and was looking for a challenge of getting it running. I previously owned an 07' 335 that I took to 200k before I traded it in on an X5. This one is a project car and it's not been a disappointment yet.

Robs335iproblems · 01-14-2016, 10:42 AM

So, it took some time, however, I decided to rebuild the top half of the engine. It was quite a project, and let me tell you, taking off the exhaust manifold bolts, were a pain in the a**. However, I took the head to a machine shop, had it cleaned, replaced two intake and two exhaust valves, valve seals, gaskets, and put everything back together. And for anyone else who needs to get deep into this engine, I would be more than happy to offer any lessons learned. If I took pictures of every step, it would be quite an DIY. Here are some pictures for anyone who's interested...

Let's just say, the video of when it first started...is pretty funny...

wiffy156 · 02-01-2018, 09:42 AM

Hey Robs335iproblems,

So I have the same problem with my N54 engine (the sprocket is misaligned). I saw that you decided to take the head off of the engine to try to get it aligned. What did you have to do on the on the upper half of the timing chain to get the sprocket to line up? Do you have videos/pictures?
I've seen couple of videos about the chain tensioner - if I took out the chain tensioner and then put it back in, would that potentially free up the chain where I assume it is snagged and align the sprocket to its original place? Will the timing chain jump timing if I undo the chain tensioner?
Also, did the timing end up being off or was the timing chain still in the correct position?

Thanks in advance!

05-20-2015, 08:55 AM	#1
Robs335iproblems Enlisted Member 28 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2018 F30 340xi M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Coopersburg, PA iTrader: (0)	Can't install crank bolt N54 engine (timing sprocket alignment) Hey, new to the forum, 4th BMW, 2nd 335. Got an issue that I'm stuck on. I can't reinstall the crank bold back into the crank shaft due to misalignment with the timing and oil pump sprockets. Looking at the picture, I think I can get the oil sprocket concentric, but I'm having a hard time moving the timing sprocket back into position. Question...do I have to pull the timing cover and release tension on the timing chain? There has to be another way or else that's going to be a real pain and a time consuming process. The car is a repo, so I can't give a lot of history regarding the condition of everything before I got it. In general, it looks in good shape. I appreciate any help. Once I get this back in, I can attempt to get the car started (replaced plugs and coils already). Most of the other issues seem to be electronics, some due to a dead battery. Other issues should be solvable through other posts (SOS warning/no audio - needs reprogramming, adaptive headlights, steering angle sensor - $.02 fix, DSC warning, etc.) Glad to finally be a member and looking forward to posting future DIY's. Attached Images
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05-20-2015, 12:47 PM	#2
pimple Private First Class 19 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_3746 Perhaps tension could be released via the chain tensioner (#7 in the diagram).
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05-21-2015, 03:33 AM	#3
Meeni Gateropode 337 Rep 2,842 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	You should have locked the chain in place and removed the chain tensionner. If you didn't lock the chain ebfore working on this, I'd be very worried that the timing is off and you will enjoy catastrophic failure upon first start. You would need to have the entire timing done again per spec, not something you should do yourself if you have never done it before.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-21-2015, 07:52 AM	#5
Supra2k6 Lieutenant 134 Rep 573 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The District iTrader: (1)	The chain tensioner is the huge bolt on the passenger side top left on the engine. And yes i think you ahould have atleast put the timing chain block to lock the timingbefore. Make sure you spin the engine by hand a couple of times before starting it.
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05-21-2015, 04:04 PM	#6
Robs335iproblems Enlisted Member 28 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2018 F30 340xi M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Coopersburg, PA iTrader: (0)	Tensioner. Duh. Of course. Thanks for the suggestion. I saw the schematic but couldn't find the location until I could visually see it from a picture on a different thread. I'll release the tension and see what that does. Ordered and received a new bolt and washer from getbmwparts and will be working on it this weekend. Yes, I can ensure the timing is most certainly off. Hoping that I don't have FUBAR engine components. I'm going to pull the valve cover and see where everything lines up. Poor man's rough timing check taken from the N54 Hydraulic Lifter replacement thread...I'll make sure the flywheel is TDC and then compare the cam locations by looking at the QR codes on the camshaft along with the orientation of the holes in the Vanos plates and by checking the orientation of the cams at back of the engine with a telescoping mirror. Not completely scientific but should get me very close.
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05-21-2015, 04:12 PM	#7
Supra2k6 Lieutenant 134 Rep 573 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The District iTrader: (1)	Btw the n54 has no timing marks on the cam gears so you cant check timing without having a timing alignment tool. Id suggest before going through the whole hassle of taking the cover off to sping it by hand. i think your timing should be okay up top. Was the car on tdc when you took off the bolt? Last edited by Supra2k6; 05-21-2015 at 04:31 PM..
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05-22-2015, 09:47 AM	#8
Robs335iproblems Enlisted Member 28 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2018 F30 340xi M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Coopersburg, PA iTrader: (0)	I found a thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1080990 with these pictures, so I was going to see if I could find the QR codes on the cams. Also, I was going to line up the Vanos plate orientation and check the back of the engine. That should have the cams in a TDC orientation. Since the timing chain is independent from the crank, I can move the flywheel and get it in TDC. However, I have no idea if that's going to cause bent valve stems as I spin the engine by hand. I'm hoping it'll be ok. And let's just say, I have no idea where it was when the bolt came off. Not because of anything I did. The engine was cranked while the bolt was off, so I have no idea where anything is, nor do I know what might be waiting for me inside. We are going to see just what German engineering is all about when I'm done... I bought the car knowing it had issues and was looking for a challenge of getting it running. I previously owned an 07' 335 that I took to 200k before I traded it in on an X5. This one is a project car and it's not been a disappointment yet. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-14-2016, 10:42 AM	#9
Robs335iproblems Enlisted Member 28 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2018 F30 340xi M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Coopersburg, PA iTrader: (0)	So, it took some time, however, I decided to rebuild the top half of the engine. It was quite a project, and let me tell you, taking off the exhaust manifold bolts, were a pain in the a**. However, I took the head to a machine shop, had it cleaned, replaced two intake and two exhaust valves, valve seals, gaskets, and put everything back together. And for anyone else who needs to get deep into this engine, I would be more than happy to offer any lessons learned. If I took pictures of every step, it would be quite an DIY. Here are some pictures for anyone who's interested... Let's just say, the video of when it first started...is pretty funny... Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2018, 09:42 AM	#10
wiffy156 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2007 530i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Lowell iTrader: (0)	Hey Robs335iproblems, So I have the same problem with my N54 engine (the sprocket is misaligned). I saw that you decided to take the head off of the engine to try to get it aligned. What did you have to do on the on the upper half of the timing chain to get the sprocket to line up? Do you have videos/pictures? I've seen couple of videos about the chain tensioner - if I took out the chain tensioner and then put it back in, would that potentially free up the chain where I assume it is snagged and align the sprocket to its original place? Will the timing chain jump timing if I undo the chain tensioner? Also, did the timing end up being off or was the timing chain still in the correct position? Thanks in advance!
	Appreciate 0 Quote