Timing Chain Cover — Removal and Installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Note: When installing you will need: new cover gaskets, crankshaft seal and PTU sealant - see text.

Removal

1. Drain the coolant (see chapter 1).

2. Remove the cylinder head cover (see paragraph 4).

3. Remove the accessory drive belts (see chapter 1).

4. Remove the thermostat (see chapter 3).

5. Remove the pulley with the damper and the crankshaft hub (see paragraph 5).

6. Remove the oil pan (see paragraph 12).

7. Remove the accessory drive belt tensioner (Fig. 6.7).



8. Now you need to remove the water pump pulley. To prevent the pump pulley from turning when you unscrew the bolts, wrap an old belt around the pulley and hold it tightly. Unscrew the bolts and remove the pulley.

9. Remove the two pins from the top of the lid. Knock them out with a punch (less than 5 mm in diameter) towards the rear side of the engine (Fig. 6.9).



10. To access the bolts securing the chain cover to the cylinder head, you need to remove the phase regulator (see paragraph 9).



11. Remove the three bolts securing the cover to the cylinder head (Fig. 6.11). Note that one of the bolts also secures the chain guide.



12. Unscrew the bolts securing the chain cover to the cylinder block and remove the cover (fig. 6.12, a, b). Remove the gaskets.

Installation

13. Remove the crankshaft seal from the chain cover.



14. Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of the cover with the cylinder block and cylinder head.

15. Insert a new cuff into the cover bore. Press it into the bore using a pipe with an outside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the cuff or a wooden block (Fig. 6.15).



16. Drive in the dowel pins of the top of the cover so that they protrude 2-3 mm above the surface of the cylinder block.

17. Place new gaskets on the cover. To prevent them from falling off, "glue" them with a small amount of grease.

18. Apply a bead of Drei Bond 1209 sealant to the top side of the cover where it contacts the head/cylinder block gasket (Fig. 6.18).



19. Place the cover on the cylinder block, making sure that the gaskets do not move. Make sure that the dowel pins enter the corresponding holes in the cover. Screw in the cover mounting bolts and tighten them by hand for now.



20. Drive the cover dowel pins until they are flush with the outside surface of the cover.

21. Gradually tighten the cover mounting bolts until the required torque is achieved. Don't forget about the three cover mounting bolts to the cylinder head.

22. Install the phase regulator (see paragraph 9).

23. Install the pulley with the damper and hub on the crankshaft.

24. Otherwise, installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following notes.

• a) Install the accessory drive belt tensioner stand so that the TOP/OBEN arrow points upward,
• b) Install the accessory drive belts (see chapter 1).
• c) Install the thermostat (see chapter 3)
• d) Install the cylinder head cover (see paragraph 4).
• d) Install the tray (see paragraph 12).
• e) Finally, fill the cooling system.