Removing timing chain

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 REMOVING 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 DRAINING PLUG (540i 2017-2020) , or RELEASING THE OIL DRAINING PLUG (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to TIGHTENING THE OIL DRAINING PLUG (540i 2017-2020) , or TIGHTENING THE OIL DRAINING PLUG (540i 2021-2022) .
Refer to REMOVING ACOUSTIC COVER AT REAR .
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 BOTH ACTUATORS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER .
Refer to REMOVING 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 REMOVING CATALYTIC CONVERTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE OIL RETURN LINE FOR THE EXHAUST TURBOCHARGER .
Refer to REMOVING 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 REMOVING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER .
Refer to REMOVING THE TEST GAUGES FOR SECURING THE CAMSHAFTS .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD .
Refer to REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER OF THE OIL SUMP .
Refer to REMOVING STARTER MOTOR .
Refer to REMOVING FLYWHEEL .
Refer to REMOVING OIL SUMP .
Refer to REMOVING REAR TIMING CASE COVER .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The bearing journal must not be extended.

Feed the tensioning rail (1) out of the bearing journal (2) and remove it.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Loosen the bearing journals (1).
Guide out and remove (2) guide rail.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Thread out the timing chain (1) from the crankshaft (2) and remove.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.