timing BMW 540i 1999 E39 M62TU Engine Workshop Manual

3
M62 TU VANOS
OVERVIEW
The variable intake valve timing system on the M62 TU continues to be identified as
VANOS. This acronym comes from the German words; V
Ariable NOckenwellen Steuerung,
which means Variable Camshaft Control.
The M62 TU VANOS system is a new variant providing stepless VANOS functionality on
each intake camshaft. The system is continuously variable within its range of adjustment
providing optimized camshaft positioning for all engine operating conditions.
While the engine is running, both
intake camshafts are continuously
adjusted to their optimum posi-
tions. This enhances engine per-
formance and reduces tailpipe
emissions.
Both camshafts are adjusted
simultaneously within 20
O(maxi-
mum) of the camshafts rotational
axis.
This equates to a maximum span
of 40
Ocrankshaft rotation. The
camshaft spread angles for both
banks are as follows.

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VANOS BENEFITS
The design of a camshaft for a non adjustable valve timing system is limited to the required
overallperformance of the engine.
• An intake camshaft with an advanced(early) profile will provide a higher performing
power curve at a lower engine speed. But at idle speed the the advanced position will
create a large area of intake/exhaust overlap that causes a rough, unstable idle.
• On the other hand, an intake camshaft with a retarded(late) profile will provide a very
smooth, stable idle but will lack the cylinder filling dynamics needed for performance
characteristics at mid range engine speeds.
The ability to adjustthe valve timing improves the engines power dynamics and reduces
tailpipe emissions by optimizing the camshaft angle for all ranges of engine operation.
VANOS provides the following benefits:
• Increased torque at lower to mid range engine speeds without a loss of power in the
upper range engine speeds.
• Increased fuel economy due to optimized valve timing angles.
• Reduction of exhaust emissions due to optimized valve overlap.
• Smoother idle quality due to optimized valve overlap.

5
BASIC FUNCTION OF BMW VANOS SYSTEMS
All BMW VANOS systems are operated through electric/hydraulic/mechanical control.
Electric Control: The engine control module is responsible for activating a VANOS sole-
noid valve based on DME program mapping. The activation parameters are influenced
by the following input signals:
• Engine speed
• Load (intake air mass)
• Engine temperature
• Camshaft position
• Oil temperature (MS 42.0 only)
Depending on the specific VANOS system, the solenoid valve is one of two types:
• Basic black/white (on/off) solenoid valve. Found on M50 TU and M52 engines.
• Variable position solenoid valve. Found on the M52 TU and M62 TU engines.
Hydraulic Control:The position of the solenoid valve directs the hydraulic flow of engine
oil. The controlled oil flow acts on the mechanical components of VANOS system to
position the camshaft.
Mechanical Control: The mechanical components of all VANOS systems operate under
the same principle. The controlled hydraulic engine oil flow is directed through advance
or retard activation oil ports. Each port exits into a sealed chamber on the opposite sides
of a control piston.
• The control piston on six cylinder engine systems (M50TU, M52 & M52TU) is con-
nected to a separate helical gear cup.
• The control piston on the M62TU VANOS system incorporates the helical gear.
In its default position the oil flow is directed to the rear surface of the piston. This pulls
the helical gear forward and maintains the retarded valve timing position.
When the oil flow is directed to the front surface of the piston, the oil pushesthe helical
gear in the opposite direction which rotates the matched helical gearing connected to the
camshaft.
The angled teeth of the helical gears cause thepushingmovement to be converted into
arotationalmovement. The rotational movement is added to the turning of the
camshaft providing the variable camshaft positioning.

VANOS TRANSMISSION:The primary and secondary timing chain sprockets are inte-
grated with the VANOS transmission. The transmission is a self contained unit.
The controlled adjustment of the
camshaft occurs inside the “transmis-
sion”. Similar in principle to the six
cylinder engine VANOS systems, con-
trolled oil pressure moves the piston
axially.
The helical gear cut of the piston acts
on the helical gears on the inside sur-
face of the transmission and rotates
the camshaft to the specific advanced
or retarded angle position.
Three electrical pin contacts are locat-
ed on the front surface to verify the
default maximum retard position using
an ohmmeter. This is required during
assembly and adjustment. (see service
notes further on).
OIL DISTRIBUTION FLANGES:The oil distribution flanges are bolted to the front surface
of each cylinder head. They provide a mounting location for the VANOS solenoids as well
as the advance-retard oil ports from the solenoids to the intake camshafts.
CAMSHAFTS: Each intake camshaft has
two oil ports separated by three sealing rings
on their forward ends.
The ports direct pressurized oil from the oil
distribution flange to the inner workings of
the VANOS transmission.
Each camshaft has REVERSEthreaded
bores in their centers for the attachment of
the timing chain sprockets on the exhaust
cams and the VANOS transmissions for
each intake camshaft as shown.
CAMSHAFT POSITION IMPULSE WHEELS:The camshaft position impulse wheels pro-
vide camshaft position status to the engine control module via the camshaft position sen-
sors. The asymmetrical placement of the sensor wheel pulse plates provides the engine
control module with cylinder specific position ID in conjunction with crankshaft position.

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M62 TU VANOS CONTROL
As the engine camshafts are rotated by the primary and secondary timing chains, the
ME7.2 control module activates the VANOS solenoids via a PWM (pulse width modulated)
ground signal based on a program map. The program is influenced by engine speed, load,
and engine temperature.
•Shown below: In its inactive or default position, the valves direct 100% engine oil pres-
sure flow to achieve max “retard” VANOS positioning
•Top of next page: As the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) increases on the control sig-
nal, the valve progressively opens the advance oil port and proportionately closes the
retarded oil port.
Oil pressure pushes the piston toward the advance position. Simultaneously the oil
pressure on the retarded side (rear) of the piston is decreased and directed to the vent
port in the solenoid valve and drains into the cylinder head.
•Bottom of next page: At maximum PWM control, 100% oil flow is directed to the front
surface of the piston pushing it rearward to maximum advance.
Varying the pulse width (on time) of the solenoids control signals proportionately regulates
the oil pressures on each side of the pistons to achieve the desired VANOS advance angle.

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VANOS SERVICE NOTES
VALVE TIMING PROCEDURES
Refer to TIS for complete Valve Timing Procedures.M62 TU valve timing adjustment is sim-
ilar to the previous non VANOS M62 engine with the exceptionof setting the VANOS
transmissions to their max retard positions with an ohmmeter and attaching the camshaft
gears to each camshaft with single reverse threaded bolts.
• After locking the crankshaft at TDC, the camshaft alignment tools (P/N 90 88 6 112 440)
are placed on the square blocks on the rear of the camshafts locking them in place.
• The exhaust camshaft sprockets and VANOS transmission units with timing chains are
placed onto their respective camshafts.
• The exhaust camshaft sprockets and VANOS transmissions are secured to the
camshafts with their respective single, reverse threaded bolt. Finger tighten only at this
point. Install the chain tensioner into the timing chain case and tension the chain.
• Connect an ohmmeter across two of the three pin contacts on the front edge of one of
the VANOS transmissions. Twist the inner hub of transmission to the left (counter clock-
wise). Make sure the ohmmeter indicates closed circuit. This verifies that the trans-
mission in the default max retard position.
• Using an open end wrench on the camshaft to hold it in place, torque the VANOS trans-
mission center bolt to specification.
CAMSHAFT IMPULSE WHEEL POSITION TOOLS
The camshaft impulse wheels require a special tool set
to position them correctly prior to torquing the retaining
nuts.
The impulse wheels are identical for each cylinder
bank. The alignment hole in each wheel must align
with the tool’s alignment pin. Therefore the tools are
different and must be used specifically for their bank.
The tool rests on the upper edge of the cylinder head
and is held in place by the timing case bolts.
Refer to the TIS repair manual section for complete
information.
BANK I TOOL
BANK I TOOL
BANK II TOOL
ALIGNMENT
IMPULSE

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VANOS SOLENOID REPLACEMENT
Refer to TIS repair manual section for com-
plete solenoid replacement procedures.
The solenoids are threaded into the oil distri-
bution flanges through a small opening in the
upper timing case covers.
Special Tool 11 6 420 is required.
VANOS TRANSMISSION RETARD POSI-
TION SET UP TOOLS
Special Tool 11 6 440 is used to rotate the
transmission to the full retard position when
checking the piston position with an ohmme-
ter.
This tool engages the inner hub of the trans-
mission provides an easy method of twisting
it to the left for the ohmmeter test.
Refer to SI Bulletin 04 12 98 for additional
special tool information.
DIAGNOSIS
The VANOS is fully compatible with the diagnostic software providing specific fault codes
and test modules. Additionally, diagnostic requests section provides status of the PWM of
the VANOS solenoids and camshaft position feedback via the camshaft position sensors.
The Service Functions section of the DIS/MoDiC also provides a VANOS system test.
11 6 440
11 6 420

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INPUT SIGNALS/COMPONENTS
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS
Located on the upper timing case covers, the camshaft position sensors monitor the posi-
tion of the camshafts to establish start of ignition firing order, set up sequential fuel injection
triggering and for accurate camshaft advance-retard (VANOS) timing feedback.
Each intake camshaft’s advance-retard angles are adjusted simultaneously yet indepen-
dently. For this reason ME 7.2 requires a camshaft position sensor on each cy linder bank
for accurate feedback to monitor the VANOS controlled camshaft positioning.
The sensors are provided with operating power from the ECM main relay. The sensors pro-
duce a unique asymmetrical square-wave signal representative of the impulse wheel shape.
The sensors are new in the fact that they are “active” hall effect sensors. Active hall sen-
sors provide:
• low signal when a tooth of the camshaft impulse wheel is located in front of the sensor
• high signal when an air gap is present.
The active hall sensors supply a signal representative of camshaft position even before the
engine is running. The ME 7.2 determines an approximate location of the camshafts posi-
tions prior to engine start up optimizing cold start injection (reduced emissions.)
UNIQUE SIGNAL
AS SEEN IN
MEASUREMENT
SYSTEM
OSCILLOSCOPE