[martynz]

Hey everyone,

I am currently replacing both camshaft VANOS adjusters and locked the flywheel with the pin and now trying to fit the timing tool.

With all the below observations this is what the timing tool looks like with camshafts not aligned and QR codes not fully on top.



Observations:
1. When turning the engine by hand the pin slides twice into the flywheel hole just before the QR codes on camshafts are straight up and again right after they pass the top position.

2. The pin does not slide completely in and there is a gap of 1/2 inch or less. But it does not go any further. This happens twice. I had a second person turning the engine while pushing on the pin.

3. With the pin inserted (with the gap), I am not able to turn the engine by hand which makes me think the flywheel flexplate is correctly locked. But as above this locks twice but there should be only one hole?

4. Assuming all is correct. Should I simply adjust/turn the camshafts manually and bring into lock with the timing tool?

Any help appreciated.

[PhaceN52]

No no no wait, the qr codes must face up and the timing tool has to fit, don't unscrew anything with that setup, probably you have to sand down a bit the flywheel locking pin or use a thinnier one to fit it into the right hole in the flywheel, remove the first spark plug and stick inside the cylinder a wood rod, turn the engine by hand until the qr codes are almost in position and check if it corresponds to tdc, if yes try to find the flywheel hole, once locked it will be exactly where it has to be and the engine will not turn. You need the timing tool to be fit into the camshafts as you won't be able to torque em down without it

[martynz]

That is a good point with the size of the pin. Thanks. There are actually 3 different pins in the timing tools. I used the silver one.

The lenght of the shorter ones would be an exact fit and I will try the smaller diameter too on the weekend.

Unfortunately, I was not able to find any info on the sizes and engines online.



Looking at this, it seems that the longer pin is for the N55 engine.
https://www.amazon.com/LETAOSK-Crank.../dp/B0BCJJQKTH

[martynz]

I have now confirmed that the PIN is in the correct hole. On the opposite site of the case there is a big hole where you can see the flywheel rotating. By turning the engine further the correct hole with the marking shows up. I can also see my grease when I hit the locking hole.

I have also put the PIN into the big hole on the opposite site to check how far it slights in and apparently this is the max as it hits the backplate on the wheel.

When the TDC is reached on cylinder 1, the PIN does not slide in and I have to rotate the engine and the flywheel slightly further which brings me to the above issue where the timing tool does not allign.

Only two questions remain:

1. Can I turn both camshafts into timing tool position with the locked flywheel?

2. Can anything be done so the flywheel locks earlier and the hole appears earlier?

[PhaceN52]

Can I turn the camshafts into timing tool position after locking the flywheel?

No, because it must be at TDC, the locked camshafts position with the two QR codes up corresponds to the rotating assembly at TDC on 1 cylinder.
I used the silver one too and all was good.
Did you try to push in the locking pin while arriving at tdc? I mean the last degrees before tdc

[martynz]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, as per above the PIN does not slide in at TDC.

I have another person turning the engine and me pushing on the pin before TDC. The PIN only goes in after TDC and QR codes slightly tilted.

Do I need to lock the flywheel if I already have the camshafts locked?

[sabino56]

Originally Posted by martynz

When the TDC is reached on cylinder 1, the PIN does not slide in and I have to rotate the engine and the flywheel slightly further

How did you determine cylinder 1 was on TDC?

And just curious, what led you to replace the VANOS?


I don’t have experience doing the same on this engine but thought that it was not possible to have cylinder 1 @ TDC and the flywheel pin not line up. I’ve seen people like M539 verify TDC by removing the spark plug and using borescope or rod.
If engine is at TDC and cam tool doesn’t line up - I thought that mean timing was wrong, something jumped/slipped?

[martynz]

Originally Posted by sabino56

How did you determine cylinder 1 was on TDC?

And just curious, what led you to replace the VANOS?

Thanks for your reply.

I have used the stick method to check on the highest point.

I have the shredded bolts issue on the exhaust Vanos adjuster which caused the famous exhaust vanos code 2A87.

[martynz]

Thanks PhaceN52 for your support which kept me going!

I used an endoscope camera to see what is going on and found the correct hole. Once I can see the hole the PIN goes in like butter. Pushing on the PIN and turning the crank is a trial and error that can go on for a long time.

The timing tool aligns perfectly on top of QR codes without any tilting.

I made a video here to showcase how little time you actually have.