### Thinking Of Removing Cylinder Head (N52)/ Do the Cams Have to Come Out First?

E90BMWDriver · 10-29-2016, 04:12 PM

Hello, I would like some help from any Techs or anyone who has the experience of pulling off a cylinder head.

I have an early production (Jan 06), E90/N52 and the local dealership garage said I have a broken exhaust valve spring at cylinder one. They recommend taking off the entire head and repairing it. This is not an option, since the estimate for the work is more than what I paid for the car. Another option would be to replace a new cylinder head.

I'm up for a challenge and considering a DIY job. I have been studying the problem for several months and one question I have is, do I have to remove the cams to get access to the head bolts? I have attached a picture to illustrate the problem. I marked the relative positions of the bolts in the picture. Also, is the bolt under the Valvetronic gear on the eccentric shaft accessible from the top? I have marked it with and X and a circle. Oddly, the Bentley manual doesn't specifically say the cams have to come out first but an illustration with the Torx sockets to remove the head bolts shows the cams removed. If I remember correctly, video on Youtube of the engine assembly shows the cams put in place before the heads are attached to Block. See attached illustrations.

Any help or guidance for this and any other challenges I would face would be greatly appreciated. Once I start(no set date yet), I will post regular updates on my progress.

Thanks

Note: This is not my engine but a picture I pulled off the web.

hassmaschine · 10-29-2016, 04:30 PM

No you shouldn't have to pull the cams. You can see in the picture you posted, there is a recess in the cam tray for accessing the head bolts.

But, you do have to pull the cam to replace a boroken spring (broken? Really? That is surprising), so in the end it makes little difference.

E90BMWDriver · 10-29-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

No you shouldn't have to pull the cams. You can see in the picture you posted, there is a recess in the cam tray for accessing the head bolts.

But, you do have to pull the cam to replace a boroken spring (broken? Really? That is surprising), so in the end it makes little difference.

I would like to keep the cams in place so I can take the whole head to a shop for cleaning, exam and repair. Of course, I would have to take the exhaust cam out to repair the valve but I would prefer to do that on the bench. However, what about near the Valvetronic gear? Doesn't look like there is much room?

weehe126 · 10-29-2016, 08:06 PM

You have to rotate the eccentric shaft to access that bolt.

E90BMWDriver · 10-29-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

You have to rotate the eccentric shaft to access that bolt.

That makes sense. Thanks for the advice.

weehe126 · 10-29-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90BMWDriver

That makes sense. Thanks for the advice.

Probably have to remove one of the stops to rotate enough, but can't remember.

E90BMWDriver · 10-29-2016, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Probably have to remove one of the stops to rotate enough, but can't remember.

Can you clarify a little more. What do you mean by one of the stops? Thanks.

alx. · 10-30-2016, 11:32 AM

How did they come to the conclusion that you have a broken exhaust valve spring?

tlow98 · 10-30-2016, 11:50 AM

It might be cheaper to buy a used engine ~$1200

E90BMWDriver · 10-30-2016, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alx.

How did they come to the conclusion that you have a broken exhaust valve spring?

They looked at it with a camera and the rocker arm was off and sitting at the bottom of the head.

Punisher3.0si · 10-30-2016, 10:54 PM

I'd recommend taking the valve cover off first and getting a good look at what you are dealing with.

weehe126 · 10-31-2016, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90BMWDriver

Can you clarify a little more. What do you mean by one of the stops? Thanks.

There are what look like large nuts that stop the shaft from spinning, min and max. Can't miss them.

alx. · 10-31-2016, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90BMWDriver

They looked at it with a camera and the rocker arm was off and sitting at the bottom of the head.

Hope you get it fixed.

E90BMWDriver · 10-31-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

There are what look like large nuts that stop the shaft from spinning, min and max. Can't miss them.

Ok, thanks.

E90BMWDriver · 10-31-2016, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alx.

Hope you get it fixed.

Thanks, me too.

E90BMWDriver · 10-31-2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punisher3.0si

I'd recommend taking the valve cover off first and getting a good look at what you are dealing with.

Oh for sure. Actually I should have mentioned that's what they did at the dealership garage after they first looked with the camera.

10-29-2016, 04:12 PM	#1
E90BMWDriver New Member 7 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2006 330i E90 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Winnipeg, MB iTrader: (0)	### Thinking Of Removing Cylinder Head (N52)/ Do the Cams Have to Come Out First? Hello, I would like some help from any Techs or anyone who has the experience of pulling off a cylinder head. I have an early production (Jan 06), E90/N52 and the local dealership garage said I have a broken exhaust valve spring at cylinder one. They recommend taking off the entire head and repairing it. This is not an option, since the estimate for the work is more than what I paid for the car. Another option would be to replace a new cylinder head. I'm up for a challenge and considering a DIY job. I have been studying the problem for several months and one question I have is, do I have to remove the cams to get access to the head bolts? I have attached a picture to illustrate the problem. I marked the relative positions of the bolts in the picture. Also, is the bolt under the Valvetronic gear on the eccentric shaft accessible from the top? I have marked it with and X and a circle. Oddly, the Bentley manual doesn't specifically say the cams have to come out first but an illustration with the Torx sockets to remove the head bolts shows the cams removed. If I remember correctly, video on Youtube of the engine assembly shows the cams put in place before the heads are attached to Block. See attached illustrations. Any help or guidance for this and any other challenges I would face would be greatly appreciated. Once I start(no set date yet), I will post regular updates on my progress. Thanks Note: This is not my engine but a picture I pulled off the web. Attached Images
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10-29-2016, 04:30 PM	#2
hassmaschine Major General 3987 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	No you shouldn't have to pull the cams. You can see in the picture you posted, there is a recess in the cam tray for accessing the head bolts. But, you do have to pull the cam to replace a boroken spring (broken? Really? That is surprising), so in the end it makes little difference.
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10-29-2016, 08:06 PM	#4
weehe126 Brigadier General 1189 Rep 3,228 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	You have to rotate the eccentric shaft to access that bolt.
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10-30-2016, 11:32 AM	#8
alx. Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 210 Posts Drives: F30 320iA M Sport Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 e90 325i [0.00]	How did they come to the conclusion that you have a broken exhaust valve spring? __________________ Bmw e46 320d '04 - Sold Bmw e46 330ci '01 - Sold Bmw 3-er e90 325i '06 - Sold Bmw 3-er e92 325xi '08 - Sold
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10-30-2016, 11:50 AM	#9
tlow98 Major General 2314 Rep 5,228 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	It might be cheaper to buy a used engine ~$1200
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10-30-2016, 10:54 PM	#11
Punisher3.0si Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2007 E86 manual Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I'd recommend taking the valve cover off first and getting a good look at what you are dealing with.
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