Remove exhaust camshaft

WARNING: Hot surfaces.
Risk of burning!

Perform all work only on components that have cooled down.

WARNING: Working on fuel system.
Risk of fire! Danger of explosion!

When working on the fuel system, make sure the workstation has sufficient ventilation, e.g., by means of extraction.
Tightly seal off open lines and connections; collect any leakage fuel directly at the point of exit.
No fire, sparks, open flames or smoking.

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 BRINGING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
Refer to DEACTIVATING THE 48 V ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE SEAL FOR THE HOOD REAR .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
Refer to REMOVING THE COWL COVER .
Refer to REMOVING TRAILING LINK AT SPRING BOLT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COWL UPPER PART IN THE CENTER .
Refer to REMOVING ACOUSTIC COVER AT REAR .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING ALL IGNITION COILS .
Refer to REPLACING SPARK PLUGS (540i 2017-2020) , or REMOVING ALL SPARK PLUGS (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to REMOVING FUEL DELIVERY LINE .
Refer to REMOVING THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THE RAIL .
Refer to REMOVING 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 THE COVER ON LEFT AND RIGHT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE TOP .
Refer to REMOVING BOTH FRONT-END STRUTS .
Refer to REMOVING FRONT CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (TENSION STRUT ON SHOCK TOWER REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE RESONATOR WITH THE TOP CLEAN AIR PIPE .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION OR FRONT THRUST FIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THE UNDERBODY PROTECTION OF THE STEERING GEAR AND THRUST FIELD RESPECTIVELY .
Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING REAR UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to BLOCKING ENGINE IN TDC FIRING POSITION .
Refer to REMOVING CHAIN TENSIONER .
Refer to RELEASING VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE VANOS CENTRAL VALVE OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .

Position the special tool 2 410 670 at cylinder 2 and hand-tighten it with the special tool 0 495 741 (11 8 552) from the set of special tools 0 495 739 (11 8 550) .
Screw in both roller cam followers (1) on 2nd cylinder with the spindle nut of the special tool 2 410 670 up to the limit position.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the roller tappet (1) from high pressure pump bracket (2).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Pay attention to the numbering on the exhaust camshaft bearing cap.
The exhaust camshaft bearing caps are numbered from (A1) till (A4).

The exhaust camshaft bearing cap (A) is a thrust bearing.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws in the right sequence (14) till (1) in semi circle pattern.
Remove high pressure pump bracket and all exhaust camshaft bearing cap.
Place all exhaust camshaft bearing cap in order in special tool 0 495 105 (11 4 480) .

Fig 1: Exhaust Camshaft Bearing Caps Screws Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
(1) Remove exhaust camshaft in upward direction.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.