Remove the piston rings

CAUTION: Component with heavy weight.
Injury hazard!

Note component's center of gravity.
Support component using a jack.
Secure component against falling off the jack.

CAUTION: On releasing high pressure line, fuel may emerge at high speed.
Injury hazard!

Wear suitable personal protective equipment.
Before performing any installation work, allow cooling system to cool down to less than 40°C.
Note warnings on cylinder head cover.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Collect and dispose of emerging fluids. Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Preliminary work

Refer to REMOVE THE FRONT AXLE COMPLETELY WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION .
Refer to REMOVING THE ENGINE FROM THE FRONT AXLE .
Refer to INSTALLING THE ENGINE ON THE ASSEMBLY JIG .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL FILLER CAP .
Refer to RELEASING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG (540i 2017-2020) , or RELEASING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to TIGHTENING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG (540i 2017-2020) , or TIGHTENING THE OIL DRAIN PLUG (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to REMOVING ACOUSTIC COVER AT REAR .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS
Refer to REPLACE SPARK PLUGS (540i 2017-2020) , or REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVE THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL .
Refer to REMOVE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE RAIL WITH INJECTORS OF CYLINDERS 4 TO 6 .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to REMOVE TANK VENT VALVE .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENUM .
Refer to REMOVING THE LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR .
Refer to REMOVING THE OXYGEN SENSOR MONITOR .
Refer to REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVE THE COOLANT LINE BETWEEN THE COOLANT PUMP AND CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to BLOCKING ENGINE IN TDC FIRING POSITION .
Refer to REMOVING CHAIN TENSIONER .
Refer to RELEASING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to RELEASING VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING INTAKE ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVE THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET .
Refer to REMOVE THE ACOUSTIC COVER OF THE OIL SUMP .
Refer to REMOVING STARTER MOTOR
Refer to REMOVE OIL SUMP .
Refer to REMOVE OIL VACUUM PUMP .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL DEFLECTOR
Refer to REMOVING ALL PISTONS WITH CONNECTING ROD .
Refer to MEASURING ALL PISTONS .
Refer to MEASURING A CYLINDER .

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Very wide spreading of the piston rings during installation/removal.
Damage to the piston rings.

Spread the piston rings only until the piston ring can just be slid over the piston.
Use piston ring pliers to install and remove the piston rings.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Wear safety goggles.

NOTE: The description is for one component only. The procedure is identical for all further components.

Keep standard piston ring pliers (1) ready.

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Position the piston ring pliers (1) on the top piston ring (2).

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Tension the piston ring pliers (1) in the arrow direction. feed out and remove the top piston ring (2).

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Position the piston ring pliers (1) on the middle piston ring (2).

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Tension the piston ring pliers (1) in the arrow direction, feed out and remove the middle piston ring (2).

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Remove the oil scraper rings (1) and the spring (2) by hand.

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Feed out both oil scraper rings (1) in the arrow direction on the piston (2).

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Feed out and remove the spring (1) in the arrow direction on the piston (2).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.