M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: dude8383 on September 05, 2006, 10:26:16 PM

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: dude8383 on September 05, 2006, 10:26:16 PM

(http://static.flickr.com/83/235599394_5cd55719b2_o.jpg)

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: aaron_silva on September 05, 2006, 11:16:02 PM

Your best bet is to remove them with the special BMW tools.  The tool will thread into 2 of the spark plug holes and then a lever arm will hold down all of the cam caps.  This allows you to undo all of the caps without the springs putting undistributed loads on the shaft.  

If you cant get your hands on the BMW tool you can take a look at the write up on http://www.pelicanparts.com.

By undoing the caps on at a time you run the risk on bending or breaking the cam.  Alough, I know of people removing the cams without the tools without any problems.

HTH

Aaron

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: dude8383 on September 05, 2006, 11:25:07 PM

i just did it...came out with no problems. i distributed the force evenly by unbolting each nut one by one, in the same pattern as if i was removing the head from the block.

ill have pics up in a sec

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: dude8383 on September 05, 2006, 11:29:44 PM

done..

(http://static.flickr.com/93/235653227_8f9e971249_o.jpg)
(http://static.flickr.com/91/235653228_097a641f34_o.jpg)

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: Jtuner on September 06, 2006, 01:11:04 AM

niiice,, yeah there's usually a specified pattern in the manual.. I don't have a bentley in front of me, but i'm guessin it'd be in there :) nice work tho! You might wanna find that exact pattern when you put them back in tho, it may make a difference

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: tim_s on September 06, 2006, 03:01:37 AM

that's a nice clean cyl head!

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: e30boarder on September 06, 2006, 07:26:35 AM

yeah she looks clean... i cant wait to tear mine down

Title: How do I remove the camshafts?
Post by: dude8383 on September 06, 2006, 08:38:49 AM

Quote from: Jtuner

niiice,, yeah there's usually a specified pattern in the manual.. I don't have a bentley in front of me, but i'm guessin it'd be in there :) nice work tho! You might wanna find that exact pattern when you put them back in tho, it may make a difference

the chilton manual that i have says to use tool 11 3 260...which i didn't have...so i managed without it. i loosened every nut on the head in the same fashion as if i were to be removing the head from the block.

Quote from: tim_s

that's a nice clean cyl head!

Thanks Tim!

Quote from: e30boarder

yeah she looks clean... i cant wait to tear mine down

Yeh, i was pleasantly surprised to find everything nice and clean. The valve cover gasket was leaking a bit though..no biggie.

Also the chain and the sprockets look mint!