Disassembling and Cleaning with no special tools - N42/N46 VALVETRONIC

In this video I disassemble VALVETRONIC system on a BMW N42/N46 engine and reassemble it after cleaning and replacing the retainer torsion springs.
Check out my video series on how to diagnose and repair a broken VALVETRONIC spring: • Diagnosing the RATTLE ...
THE STORY BEHIND THIS VIDEO:
After chain replacement ( • N42/N46 Chain Replacem... ) I noticed that there are some ticking noises during throttle body to VALVETRONIC operation transition. During this transition the engine stalls but then recovers to "normal" idle RPM.
This car is 2001 E46 316ti Compact BMW with 200.000km on the odometer.
PARTS:
- Valvetronic Retainer Springs: 11377513873
TOOLS:
- N42/N46 Timing tool kit: cutt.ly/yhVmCJF
DISCLAIMER:
BimmerZen assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. BimmerZen recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of BimmerZen , no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not BimmerZen.

[@raphaelfalsch2706]

Goddamn, I was SO afraid of the "Valvetronic Topic" on my engine (N42) that I completely ignored it until now, since it gladly did not really cause any troubles as of yet. All I did was change oil a bit more frequently in hopes it gives me some time since the car has 170.000km right now. But, honestly... you completely demystified the topic for me. Of course it's not an easy repair, it needs a lot of expertise (which you obviously have) but watching you do it made me go: Hey, I can do this too ... I want to thank you for your work and for the time to put this up, you have no idea how much you made my day. Cheers, mate!

[@mirimar1223]

I dreaded the moment you placed your eyes over the first spring installment🤕 great job as always

[@RayBani]

This is probably the best DIY video for home mechanics how to replace valvetronic parts. It's a pity that the parts are so freaking expensive that it's more convenient to code valvetronic out of duty (eccentric shaft to enable valves open fully, air flow control on throttle body). I like these videos since they have so much details. Cheers!

[@BimmerZen]

Thanks! This is exactly why I make these videos; I was in the same situation and I want to share what I've learned so far:)

[@WayToManyAssassins]

The cost of coding it out is the same cost as actually repairing it 😂

[@SuperMace0]

I just did this, wish i had seen this video. A quick grip clamp worked really well for me for the springs. Gives you a bit more freedom. But otherwise, wish i had gone to the effort you did. Great video.

[@timdixon1166]

First of all, thanks for your series of videos on the N42/46 engines. These engines seem to be found mainly in Europe and here in Australia where there are lots of them. Your videos are the first go-to site for anything to do with these engines! One thing I have done a little differently is when re-assembling the valvetronic assembly. I thought your method of compressing the valvetronic springs looked a bit difficult and I didn't have a suitable tool anyway. What I did was find an old 150 mm G-clamp (I used for brake calipers) and grind a thin slot across the face of the 'fixed' end of the clamp. Now you can engage the edge of the spring mounting plate with the clamp right across the assembly and simply do up the clamp. As you go, just shift the mounting plate with a screwdriver to ensure the holes line up. You can easily fully close the spring and do up the bolt all in a very leisurely manner and without stress! Cheers from South Australia...

[@BimmerZen]

Yes, you method is better, but I did not have the proper clamp at hand, so I used the vice grips

[@kyokoshin755]

You’ve helped me out a great deal with both changing the timing chain and the torsion spring! I just wanna say thank you!

[@mirimar69]

Love your work. Always my go to channel for N46.

[@BroughBuilt]

Great video thanks! Well explained. It has helped me a lot with my Valvetronic removal and repair.

[@dud9011]

Great videos! You deserve many more views

[@dalebrown3916]

Your videos are awesome and helped me all the way. Thank you very much!!!!!

[@GeminiHammer]

very informative videos as always great help thanks mate

[@CW-ck2yi]

Such a great video. Thanks!

[@nitovalverde9298]

Hola uno de los mejores videos que visto mi amigo muchas gracias

[@stewartalexander158]

Thank you for making this video

[@williamboccia9164]

thks bro ! Realy your work is insane :)

[@hiwabapir1713]

Very useful video thanks a lot mate

[@graham9060]

Great video, thanks.

[@Kristof1981]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@AdamMadam-iz8us]

Thanks so much

[@leonardoflorez1213]

Thanks mate ur the best.. you helped me a lot

[@kimbivalery52]

Good job ❤

[@samidekap2071]

Super vidéo thank you 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@ResetandKulis]

Very helpfull video. Thanks buddy. 🍻 Greeting from czech

[@BimmerZen]

[brings back memories of a nice 12 czeck pilsner]🍺

[@ResetandKulis]

@@BimmerZen haha yeah 🤟😄

[@marekmarek4539]

good job ! :)

[@jgcomputers2202]

Hi, I have an n46 with valvetronic issues. Runs real rough on cold start and will stall if try to pull away once warmed up hot it runs okay. On inspection, shaft seems to be sticking and not snapping back like supposed to. Have followed your videos to strip down and replace all four springs + one at the back and no better. Any ideas

[@williamboccia9164]

Hi bro ! Firstable i juste wanna to say thanks you so much for this video ! I do the same things actualy, i'm trying to change all the spring because one of them is broken. But i'm forgot the order and the place of the intermediat lever. Could you tell me What IS the order if you know that ? There are a Letter on this one. I don't have the documentation :/

[@thelesserknownhansenbro8028]

Has anyone ever had problems with the camshaft popping out of place whenever reinstalling the springs? I’ve tried multiple methods to secure it but it always pops back out when I’m putting the whole assembly back in the engine.

[@danielesteban8686]

Amigo gracias por tu ayuda con las impresiones 3d, tu me podrias indicar el torque de los tornillos de la culata son 3 grandes tres medianos y tres pequeños, amigo di me puedes ayudar con esos datos quedo luy agradecido... Bueno día

[@mohdazrulramli5416]

Hello Master.. May I ask if the N42 engine should add engine oil, if moving much faster engine oil is less, my question.. N42 engine where I need to repair or change parts...

[@jelanishabazz8883]

@zen I have a 2012 x5 need to replace the valvetronic abductor and need some suggestions of how to get it done. Have the part already.

[@BimmerZen]

You mean replacing the valvetronic DC motor with 2 wire connector?

[@marchdeane4896]

Legendary... Well done that man... Whats the worst case scenario if you bought the car with all these bits in a bucket? How bad will it be if the rockers and rollers don't match the previous footprint?

[@BimmerZen]

That's really hard to say... It depends on condition of the parts. Since you have nothing to loose, I would suggest you assemble the valvetronic and check the rough running parameters in INPA. If you don't get any rough idle values above +1, then it should work. Otherwise, try to switch components from low efficient cylinders (+ value) to more efficient cylinders (- value). You can reuse the old VANOS bolts once (!), but only to run in idle to check rough values. Once you have used the bolts twice, use new bolts to swap components. Only drive the car when new bolts are installed.

[@marchdeane4896]

Yeah that’s great advice sorry for the late reply. I’m getting into it this week. I will let you know how it goes..

[@tareke98]

@@marchdeane4896 Any luck?

[@marchdeane4896]

@@tareke98 I sold it before starting the engine. I had to move house so was left with no choice sadly. I had it all back together though.

[@tareke98]

@@marchdeane4896oh, so you never got to start the car then. I'm in a similar situation and I want to know what I can expect, do you know if the owner after you had any problems?

[@johnsalvatorecosentini6600]

Hello . Can you please send me the link were you bought that vice grip. Thanks

[@BimmerZen]

You should be able find something similar in any well stocked hardware/tool store. You can also use quick grip clamps...

[@mladenstevcic4092]

Can you remove only the Valvetronic camshaft and reassemble without needing to time the engine again ? I needed to change the vvt sensor and removed only the vvt crankshaft but a have problems to put it back without removing everything

[@BimmerZen]

Hmm... You can replace the valvetronic sensor without removing VANOS or eccentric shaft. If you are talking about replacing valvetronic sensor magnet, then you have to remove the VANOS unit. I think there is no practical way to reinstall eccentric shaft without removing the whole valvetronic bracket and retiming the engine...

[@mladenstevcic4092]

@@BimmerZen thank you so much for the fast reply

[@graham9060]

I am interested to know how you change those needle bearings, are they split cages?

[@BimmerZen]

yes. You have to pry them apart to get the eccentric shaft in and out. They are plastic and can break, so just have that in mind if you plan to clean them.

[@graham9060]

@@BimmerZen Thank you.

[@andisilalahi792]

how you relearn the valvetronic limit position on this engine after removing the vvt motor and the eccentric sensor?

[@BimmerZen]

N42 ECU will detect change in saved position and will perform initialization procedure on it's own. On N46 you can perform initialization with INSTA or simmilar software.

[@seasonedtoker]

Mojster, bom kar po domace vprasal. Ves iz glave, kje na intermediate levers je oznacena specifikacija? Po starem je 1-6, po novem pa imas samo A in B. Se te oznake vidijo, brez da dol jemljem cel valvetronic? Ali so s spodnje strani? Tnx!

[@BimmerZen]

Takole piše v dokumentaciji: Important! Intermediate levers (1) are divided into individual tolerance classes. The tolerance classes are designated as illustrated with numbers from 1 to 5. Used intermediate levers (1) may only be reused in the same position. Renew intermediate levers: Check the tolerance classes: If the classification 3 is installed, the repair kit intermediate levers A or B can be installed. If the classification 1 to 2 is installed, the complete repair kit intermediate levers A needs to be installed. If the classification 4 to 6 is installed, the complete repair kit intermediate levers B needs to be installed. Exchanging one individual intermediate lever is not permitted! It is mandatory to install all intermediate levers of the relative kit A or B. Številka pa je lasersko gravirana na zgornjem delu in bi morala biti vidna brez odstranitve Valvetronic-a: www.newtis.info/tisv2/obj/DYoktEt

[@Bam799]

Hello Zen I have a BMW e46 318i automatic 143 hp N42b20a. The engine does not run smoothly during a cold start. It does not indicate an error on the diagnostic device. the car shakes Please or anyone could help me fix it!

[@BimmerZen]

Very general symptoms... does the engine stall sometimes during idle? I would first check for vacuum leaks.

[@Bam799]

@@BimmerZen The car has an automatic transmission, it shakes during a cold start and after 20 minutes there are strange noises, the car wobbles and dies. The camshafts and the chain have been renewed

[@BimmerZen]

@@Bam799 Did you check for vacuum leaks? Did you check that intake and exhaust VANOS solenoid connectors are not mixed up?

[@nikosstentoumis3961]

Why you don't remove the sensor and put it back when the all processes ends

[@BimmerZen]

That is a very good suggestion. I realized that after I had the valvetronic out... so this is a lack of foresight on my part:D

[@darknemesis901]

how to change the needle bearings ?

[@BimmerZen]

The needle bearing housing is out of plastic and one side has a cut, so you can pry the bearing apart and slide it over the eccentric shaft.

[@puntofato]

Why is there so much tar and dirt on these parts? What kind of motor oil do you use?

[@BimmerZen]

I suspect this was due to the long oil changes and short driving intervals. This was all from before i started to work on my cars:(

[@user-ku6ml2nj3z]

Nazda picante comato

[@thescentman3678]

Same for n46 b20???

[@BimmerZen]

Yes.

[@BimmerZen]

Yes.

[@thescentman3678]

Best man:-) Cheers Mate, could you do more Videos?

[@octavioserrano9417]

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