VS-42 je Baugruppe/Group: 11 weltweit Datum/Date:

09/2004
meeknet.co.uk/e64 11 03 04 (085)
Update 09/2007

N52 engine

E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E81, E82, E83, E85, E86, E87, E90, E91, E92,
E93

Introduction

The new 6-cylinder N52 spark-ignition engine represents the start of a new generation of engine at BMW.
Consistent lightweight construction methods and the development of other innovations have created an
outstanding engine.
The N52 engine will be introduced with the MSV70 engine management in the following model series:
- E60, E61, E63, E64
- E65, E66
- E85, E86
- E87
- E90, E91
MSV80 engine management is introduced with the introduction of the slightly modified N52 engine.
On the modified engine, there is, for example, no coolant temperature sensor on the radiator outlet. Depending on
the model series and engine version concerned, the active air flap control system is used.
The 4th generation electronic immobiliser (EWS) is also introduced with the MSV80. The 4th generation EWS is
an advanced development of the previous electronic immobiliser. This advanced development uses a new and
modern encoding method.
The modified N52 engine with engine management MSV80 supersedes the previous engine with engine
management MSV70 and is installed in the following model series:
- E60, E61, E63, E64
- E70

SBT N52 engine E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E81, E82, E83, E85, E86, E87, E90, BMW AG - TIS 23.12.2015 14:58
Issue status (12/2007) Valid only until next DVD is issued Copyright Page - 1 -
 - E83
- E81, E82, E87
- E90, E91, E92, E93
[System overview]

Brief description of components

- Crankcase made of magnesium-aluminium composite

The crankcase consists of an aluminium-silicon insert, inseparably and seamlessly cast in with a magnesium
alloy.
[more ...]
- innovative valve gear Valvetronic
The Valvetronic consists of fully variable control of the valve lift combined with the variable camshaft control
unit
[more]
- Volume-flow-regulated oil pump
The new volume-flow-regulated oil pump delivers exactly the oil volume that is actually required.
[more ...]
- Electrical coolant pump
The coolant pump driven by an electric motor is regulated irrespective of the engine speed.
[more ...]
- Three-phase differential air intake control
The three-phase differential air intake control (DISA) ensures even cylinder fill levels [more ...]
- Oil condition sensor
For the N52 engine, the dipstick and its guide pipe are eliminated.
The N52 engine has an oil condition sensor.
[more ...]
- DME: Digital engine electronics
The digital engine electronics control and regulate the engine functions.
[more ...]
- Cylinder head cover made of magnesium
- Switchover to single-belt drive
- Highly temperature-resistant exhaust manifold

System functions

The following system functions are described:

- Volume-flow-regulated oil supply
- Oil level check, engine oil quality check and engine oil temperature check
- Valvetronic
- Heat management
- Active air flap control

Volume-flow-regulated oil supply

The N52 has a volume-flow-regulated oil pump. This pump only delivers as much oil as each operating range
of the engine requires. A conventional oil pump would have to be approximately three times the size of that in
the N52 engine. This oil pump would also require more driving power accordingly.
No superfluous oil is supplied for ranges with a smaller load. The fuel consumption of the engine is reduced
and wear to the oil is slowed down. A pendulum slide cell pump is used. The pump shaft is located off-centre

SBT N52 engine E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E81, E82, E83, E85, E86, E87, E90, BMW AG - TIS 23.12.2015 14:58
Issue status (12/2007) Valid only until next DVD is issued Copyright Page - 2 -
 in the housing during pump activation. The impeller shifts radially during rotation. This means that the
chambers on the impeller form different volumes. The oil is taken into the enlarging volume. The oil is
pumped into the oil ducts at the reducing volume.

Oil level check, engine oil quality check and engine oil temperature check
The oil level is measured by the oil condition sensor and shown in the Central Information Display (CID). This
protects the engine from excessively low oil level and the associated engine damage. Excessive oil filling of
the engine, which can lead to leaks, is displayed as a check control message.
The oil condition sensor also registers the engine oil quality. This means that the system is able to compute
exactly when it is necessary to change the engine oil. Condition Based Service (CBS) allows the engine oil to
be changed in line with needs.
The engine oil temperature is also detected or calculated by the oil condition sensor. The signal from the oil
condition sensor is evaluated in the DME. The evaluated signal is routed via the PT-CAN and K-CAN bus to
the instrument cluster and to the CID.

Valvetronic
The Valvetronic consists of fully variable control of the valve lift combined with the variable camshaft control
unit (VANOS).
The valve lift is only regulated on the inlet side, but the camshaft is also adjusted on the exhaust side.
Valvetronic is controlled by:
- a variable valve lift of the inlet valve
- a variable opening duration of the inlet valve
- a variable camshaft control of the inlet and exhaust camshaft
(double VANOS)
The system is optimised by adapting the valve gear, changing the actuator motor and varying the camshaft
timing control. Major innovations are:
- On the intermediate lever, the plain bearing to the eccentric shaft has been replaced by a roller bearing.
This reduces the friction in the valve gear.
- The guide of the intermediate lever is more precise. Only one spring is required to guide and retain the
intermediate lever.
- The moved mass of the valve gear has been reduced by 13%.
- The range of motion of the inlet valves has been improved. The maximum lift has risen to 9.9 mm, but
above all the minimum lift has been further reduced to 0.18 mm.

Heat management
The possibilities of conventional cooling systems are used for the cooling system with electrical coolant
pump.
The following components are influenced by the heat management:
• Electrical coolant pump
• Mapped thermostat
• Digital engine electronics (DME)
The cooling output of the system is adapted by means of a freely variable volumetric flow of the coolant.
The heat management determines the current cooling requirement and regulates the cooling system
accordingly. If necessary, the coolant pump can even be switched off altogether, for example to heat up the
coolant quickly during the warm-up phase.
If the engine is not running but very hot, the coolant pump will also work while the vehicle is out of use.
Cooling output can thus be called up regardless of engine speed.
The heat management now permits various characteristic maps to be used as a basis for controlling the
coolant pump, over and above the map thermostat. In this way, the engine control unit can adapt the engine
temperature to the driving characteristics.
The engine control unit regulates the following temperature ranges:

SBT N52 engine E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E81, E82, E83, E85, E86, E87, E90, BMW AG - TIS 23.12.2015 14:58
Issue status (12/2007) Valid only until next DVD is issued Copyright Page - 3 -
 • 112 °C = Economy
• 105 °C = Normal
• 95 °C = High
• 80 °C = High and regulation by the map thermostat
If the vehicle handling causes the engine control unit to detect the economical operating range Economy, the
DME regulates to a higher temperature (112 C).
In this temperature range, the engine is operated with a relatively fuel requirement. The friction inside the
engine is reduced at higher temperature. The temperature increase thus favours lower fuel consumption in
the low load range.
In the High and regulation by the map thermostat mode, the driver wants to use optimised power output
development of the engine. To achieve this, the temperature in the cylinder head is lowered to 80 °C. This
lowering leads to a better cylinder filling, which leads in turn to an increase in engine torque. The engine
control unit can now regulate a certain operating range, adapted to the relevant driving situation. This makes
it possible to use the cooling system to influence consumption and performance.

Active air flap control

Active air flap control regulates the air supply for the engine and assemblies cooling system by only opening
the air flaps as they are needed.
Notes for service staff

Service staff should note the following points:

- General notes: [more ...]
- Diagnosis: ---
- Encoding/programming: ---
Subject to change.

SBT N52 engine E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E81, E82, E83, E85, E86, E87, E90, BMW AG - TIS 23.12.2015 14:58
Issue status (12/2007) Valid only until next DVD is issued Copyright Page - 4 -