Help Flywheel Locking Pin Will Not Align...

[Serge]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of replacing my head gasket, I have the correct tools and bmw tools, I can lock the camshafts in TDC but when trying to fit the flywheel locking pin in the corresponding hole it will not fit (the corresponding hole is off by a long shot) only way for the pin to fit is to have the camshaft sprocket arrows facing 8 o'clock, car was running fine before the gasket blew so I cannot say the timing was out. If somebody has experience with the M42 engines out there and can give me a helping hand with this dilemma, I would really appreciate that. Serge.

[JoeDellio]

Cant you just TDC up the engine/crank and then do the cams? Treat it like you tore it all apart and do it?

With some 4 cylinder engines Ive worked on you have to rotate it up to a total of 6 times to get everything lined up.

[DesktopDave]

That's an odd one...I'd check all the cylinders to verify them with a long screwdriver.  At TDC you should see #1 & #4 at the top, #2 & #3 at the bottom.  Then I'd verify proper cam orientation and finally look for cam chain damage.  You'll have to lock the crank with something else...I don't think that the flywheel is installed incorrectly but it's not impossible.