BMW E46 Timing Components Removal DIY

I began my rebuild when I did a compression test and noticed I had poor compression in cylinders 2-6 (about 142 psi, the bottom of the service limit). Cylinder 1 head 160 psi. A leakdown test showed leakage into each adjacent cylinder. Of course my engine also had the oil consumption problem (1 quart every 1000 miles) that every M54 engine has, which is caused by the oil rings which wear down prematurely (the M52TU used different oil rings which did not have this problem). There was also coolant loss, which I didn't measure precisely.
To see all the videos in the #m54rebuild series: • M54 Engine Rebuild Pro...
To view all the specs and torques for BMW M54/M52TU engines: goo.gl/jLvcgR
The seller I bought the timing kit from is out of stock. You'll have to check through the listings here to find a similar kit:
goo.gl/ealUrH
Make sure to check out the common repair steps video if you are unfamiliar with that: • BMW 330i 325i E46 Comm...
Other videos you should watch if you are planning to change your head gasket or rebuild your engine are:
Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replace: • BMW 330i 325i E46 Oil ...
Intake Manifold Removal: • BMW 330i 325i E46 CCV ...
Exhaust Manifolds Removal: • BMW E46 Exhaust Remova...
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@getfasterE36]

Watching the engine turn at 1:30 is beautiful. Mechanical technology has become so advanced since the 18th century.

[@monkeytarget93]

Hi 50's kid. I know you havent done this video in quite awhile. I was hoping to chat with you on tips and tricks with this removal process. My timing chain jumped, and I gotta put it back. I'm super thankful that you made these videos. Anything will help. Thank you in regards of reading this post.

[@johnstamatakis436]

Hey Jason, I followed all of your great videos to rebuild my 2002 E46 engine. It needed to be bored .50 over and machined beyond any off the shelf head gasket thickness. No, I didn't overheat it, I bought it that way not knowing how severely it had overheated. Shortly after completion, I developed a pretty bad oil leak. First I thought was coming from the timing chain tensioner, then from the oil filter housing gasket. Neither proved to be the source of the leak and after cleaning the front of the engine, it appeared that oil was leaking from above the water pump, maybe the top of the timing chain cover. I went back and started reviewing your videos and came to the timing components removal video. After you removed the Vanos, you pointed out 2 E8 torx head bolts. That struck me as something I didn't remember, so I pulled the valve cover and it appeared that I did not replace those 2 bolts! I found them and then tried to install them without tearing everything apart. I started with the longer bolt and could not get it to thread in. I inserted a stiff wire into the hole and found it did not go down as deep as the bolt was long and I did not feel threads with the end of the wire. I am afraid that the custom head gasket that I had made at a cost of $200 does not have the holes for the two bolts! Do you have a photo of these E8 bolts in place with the Vanos still in the head? I'm 99% sure this is the problem, but before I completely tear the engine apart I'd like to be sure I am correct.

[@cosmos328ci9]

Wow, the easiest to understand videos I have ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise and knowledge.

[@toniocastro5426]

50th's kid. Grazie mile. Per il tuo insegni, video e molto educativo, per tutti noi che non sapiamo nulla di meccanica. La mia BMW 328i e troppo difficile pero con IL Tio aiuto tutti sera pissibile. Gracie, arrivederci.

[@LuisDiaz-gj8sn]

Handy ass video men doing a m54 at this moment thanks great vids

[@ipvelocity1873]

Really enjoy ur videos, always really clear, im anxious to see u taking the head off as I need to change the valve seals on my car and it would be usefull

[@50sKid]

Yep that's all coming up.

[@mantselarry7287]

thanks 4 the video nice work❤❤❤❤

[@cosmos328ci9]

Hey, how about removing and install the helix vanos gear. Any info. Keep up the good work.

[@BrokenBMW]

Hey, great video with lots of detail. I'm just wondering, can the upper tensioner be removed without having to take off the chain? I'm doing a vanos rebuild soon and thought it'd be smart to change it while im in there but not keen on messing with timing yet as it's first time ever opening an engine.

[@carslover3509]

SMART WORK

[@johnnyschweers4325]

Thanks so much man

[@lexiaontube]

Thx for the awesome videos !!! btw you're using the wrong coolant . replace the green one to the blue-ish G45

[@2657alicia]

good job man tanks

[@drew32]

Hey Jason i'll get the timing kit eventually but is it ok to remove the timing components without it? I imagine i can fabricate some kind of pin the release the tension of the chain at the very least.

[@josebracero8602]

Awesome, thanks

[@javierpenasoto7899]

Excelent friend

[@johannesjvandeventer1519]

Fantastic,,, thanks

[@twinturborotary_diecast]

very good video just subscribed

[@50sKid]

Thanks!

[@boudithehunter1320]

Good job mate just quick question if on this this nuts get hit by mistake and have a scratch on it can I use it again or should I get pair new ones thank you

[@Linoge279]

the secondary tensioner, is it possible to remove it without removing the chain & the 2 gears?

[@northernmaten7676]

hey if i want to replace timing chain guides do i have to remove the oil pan?

[@jonhigbee8075]

Hey Jason, My spring washer on the exhaust side (Giant F) is broke and I cant find a replacement part anywhere online can you help me

[@chrisrobinson3679]

Do all these steps have to be followed to remove the cylinder head?

[@Michael-rt1vx]

Jason, in order to put my M54 on an engine stand, I had to remove the flywheel. Because of this, I can't use the locking tool. How should I go about this without it?

[@sunrunneri9001]

hey, today i noticed a little rattling noise on acceleration and deceleration at around 2000 rpm. it sounds like the timing chain but it doesnt make any sound at idle or on startup. i'm a bit confused and i dont really want to tear the whole engine apart if i dont have to.

[@thmsbryce]

Do you really need a crank locking pin as long as you make sure the crank doesn't move off of TDC ?

[@cameronc7947]

What size ratchet and brand are you using to put in tdc

[@gediegengegonnt31]

May i ask what you do for a job?

[@rubenrobles7275]

Hi, im gonna be doing the timing chain cover's gasket. Upon removal of just the cover, is there anything on the cover that may take the chains out of place? I wont be removing any sprocket or timing components.

[@cesarburnout2145]

Is it possible to remove the secondary tensioner without removing the chain?

[@megasimp1024]

hi so idk if anyone still looks at the comments here, but i was just wondering, at about 12:18 you mentioned the timing chain staying in place even with no tension, is this true for the M52 engines too?

[@Precisionmobile]

sucks my Grey pneumatic e8 socket wont fit to get the lower tensioner off to tight of a space is that a 1/4' extension you have with 1/4" e8 socket or is it all 3/8 drive your using seems like i need a deeper e8 the one that is the very long bolt just curious thanks

[@pehi113]

Nice vid. So the chain and tensioner come out pretty easily, maybe i should change them to fix rattling in that area.

[@50sKid]

If you have rattling it's likely that you have a broken chain guide.

[@abdoulahsavage7371]

Do I really need the timing kit to my 1999 e46 325i?

[@alexcook5008]

Can you pop out the chain tensioner without locking up the timing? It doesnt seem like you can but itd make my life a hell of a lot easier if that is the case.

[@Steven58633]

Working on same engine. You've been a huge help!!! I checked the tolerance the inside of the head is off 1/10000th. What does BMW allow for?

[@50sKid]

1/10000th is nothing. You can have a couple thousandths and still be fine.

[@rubelrahman3888]

good video just subscriber

[@michaelfalk2403]

Is the crank lock pin access hole accessible without removing the intake components?

[@Godlivesinme2013]

This is the same question I have can I access the crank pin location without removing the intake

[@howlingmedia4354]

Y

[@user-hi4lu7zw7m]

شكراً

[@chandlerh5009]

Does it have to be top dead center when you replace the camshafts and time the motor? And is it possible to put the cans in wrong or will they only go in one way? I have my cans in and I am timing it. I have the locking tool on and the camshafts are both showing the two holes in the back. Does that mean I'm ok? I'm so scared this thing is going to blow up when I try and start.

[@konradkusmierczyk5035]

How did it go? Did it have to be top dead center before taking it all off?

[@chandlerh5009]

@@konradkusmierczyk5035 ended up breaking the intake cam. I thought it would be very hard to break but I was very wrong. I put the motor to where the number 2 and 5 were the only ones that touched the camshaft and I was following a video by that 50s kid and I guess I didnt get it exactly right and it cracked. Well I took it out and found out the cam only looked cracked but it was actually split in two pieces . Got a new camshaft and took my time and watched more vidosand finally got it. Overall it was by far the hardest motor I have ever delt with and told myself.i would never do it again. I had bought the car to flip and it had a blown head gasket. Well guess what. Now my car a 2005 330ci has the same problem. Uhhh

[@chandlerh5009]

And it did have to be top dead center. Do that first before taking off anything. Take many pics. And always put things in the exact same order. I thought it wouldnt matter for the little lifters and all that but it did. And now the dam.thing has a small tick because I didnt so that. I seriously am thinking about doing a swap with a ls and seeing what I can sell it for that way. Or keep.it and make a very fun track.or.maybe drift car

[@DovKatz]

Why didn't you install the cam lobe locking jig?

[@50sKid]

You don't need it when disassembling. I kinda did it on purpose. In the reassembly video I'll show you how to realign the camshafts to get the locking tool on.

[@AbdoulieBahoum]

, let me know if it is if you have to sound

[@gabrielpaz2991]

Hey what spark plugs do you recommend for my e46

[@thomas41546]

You want 6-BMW Spark Plugs NGK Double Laser Platinum

[@gabrielpaz2991]

Thanks man

[@50sKid]

NGK 3199

[@jjad4mgamingandmore395]

Should I drain the oil before doing this?

[@stylerunner2959]

If you're planning on rebuilding the engine, yes..

[@dantheman1337]

Unless you have the perfect length socket for that chain tensioner it is gonna be a bitch. I had to use an adjustable spanner extended with a scaffolding tube.

[@TheMidnightNarwhal]

In the junkyard can you just disassemble stuff and leave it there like that?

[@50sKid]

Yes you can. Great place to learn. I will do a video on the junkyard real soon.

[@TheMidnightNarwhal]

Cool! Yeah I'm only 19 and watching all the engine videos is really nice and shows a lot. I had a 330ci and I may be getting another one so this helps to but I'm really interested in a E46 M3 hmm

[@stephanietorres7373]

So i screwed up bad and lost my top guide bolts does anyone know where i can find replacements i am struggling soo bad

[@abdoulahsavage7371]

Who is that one person who disliked this video

[@50sKid]

They don't let me see. There's always someone who dislikes everything.

[@cesarburnout2145]

Is it possible to remove the secondary tensioner, without having to remove the pulleys?