cam removal

[jon_m3]

is it possible to remove the heads with the cams in place? if not can you remove them without the special tool?

[morerevsm3]

I believe you need to remove cam box to get some of the head bolts out, ant aligning tools omly required for re assembly

[Boostist]

Originally Posted by jon_m3

is it possible to remove the heads with the cams in place? if not can you remove them without the special tool?

You may well have to remove the cams to get the heads off mate. it depends if you can unbolt the head studs with the cams in place.

I know with ARP studs it is possible to do it but not tried it as a whole TBO

They can be removed without the special tool but the cam caps MUST be kept meticulously in order (numbered or whatever) with their own cam journal.

I cant remember if the journals are numbered but if not number as you remove .

On a 325i I had to drop down the oil pan, rand remove the vanos unit and timing chain to help a friend do his head gasket. But we had the Cam removal and alignment tools and he installed Schrick cams at the same time.

Does anyone know a BMW special tool hire source in the yUK?

its a major PITA not being able to get some of the tools as they are so expensive for single use jobs :

This is a very good article on removing them even tho its the US engine

Cam removal

[jon_m3]

i have a mate who works for bmw so ill ask him if he can borrow me the tool from work.

another friend gave me this link i havent read it yet though

[Boostist]

Originally Posted by jon_m3

i have a mate who works for bmw so ill ask him if he can borrow me the tool from work.

another friend gave me this link i havent read it yet though

Looks a good guide.
A combo of the two should cover all the bases.

If you can get hold of the special tools gimme a shout...

[jon_m3]

i should be able to get hold of the tool, but it will be with him present theyve got very funny about lending out special tools and hes the assistant manager lol

[jon_m3]

official word from my mate at bmw is that their mechanics dont uses this special tool and have never had one in his dealership they just unbolt them very slowly. i didnt look for the sweet spot thats described in the write ups but just undid the intake cam 1/4 turn at a time its still in tacked as far as i can see

[Boostist]

Originally Posted by jon_m3

official word from my mate at bmw is that their mechanics dont uses this special tool and have never had one in his dealership they just unbolt them very slowly. i didnt look for the sweet spot thats described in the write ups but just undid the intake cam 1/4 turn at a time its still in tacked as far as i can see

You would know about it if the cam snapped mate.
As they are hollow they are brittle as well...

It is possible to improvise and make up a tool to do the job, as long as the cam is evenly held down along its length it will be fine.

Its undoing one bolt then the next... and so on that will give big problems!

[jon_m3]

yeh i did the old criss cross trick took ages just to get one out lol

[Boostist]

lol

Still, it works out much cheaper than the cam removal tool!

that costs hundreds so Ive heard :