Just finished doing the timing chain and valve seals on my new to me 08 non-s R56. Not sure what I did wrong but it now has zero compression. When I attempted to start it sounds like it had no plugs in. Check with a pressure gauge and it reads 0. Also took the valve cover off and crank dampener and all of my marks still line up, with the flywheel lockout pin as well. Also cylinders are down and flush with each other when at the marks as well. I do feel a possible binding when hand cranking the engine, not sure if it's just where the stroke is and don't want to force by. The chain tension was tightened to .4NM using the tension tool, chain still feels right. Everything and anything was changed during this job. Would the VVT possibly be causing this, holding the intake valves open? Wouldn't think it would be as it wasn't removed but all of the springs were for the valve seals. Double checked all electrical connectors as well. Only other thing I can think of is it did have blowby on the intake valves during the valve seat job. Did run and drive before I worked on it. Thanks for any advice!

 

@Our2008R56 ,

Assuming that you have a locking camshaft locking tool, did you make sure both the intake and exhaust camshaft writings are facing straight up? The markings on the camshafts needs to be pointing straight up and all of the pistons needs to be midway by using 4 equal length coat hanger wires in order to lock the flywheel. Here are some photos below to show you what I mean.....Remember, timing is "IMPERATIVE" and so critical






Writings on the camshaft



4 equal length to set the pistons for chain installation

 

Sadly I made a big blunder. Somehow my cams got mixed up, the exhaust cam was in the intake spot. If you knew how particular I am about organization this wouldn't seem possible. Guess that's what happens when I'm too tired to be working on it. I've done many timing chains and always triple check everything is right, crazy thing is everything does line up and lock out with them swapped. Now to hope I didn't damage the engine. Supposedly it won't but I don't see how this could be.

 

If you cranked the engine with the camshafts reversed, there's the possibility that your pistons contacted the valves; You'd better remove all the valves and make sure they aren't bent. It would be better to find your bent valves now than later after you've reassembled everything.

Also, if you reversed the camshafts, did you also reverse the VANOS sprockets? There's a warning in the tech manual that states reversing the VANOS sprockets will damage the engine.

 

Luckily the sprockets were correct. I'm taking the cams off tomorrow and using a multi view inspection camera to see if the valves are fully closed and if the pistons show valve contact. I'll also manually operate each valve to see how they feel and return. I most likely won't take it down to the head either way. With over 200K miles on the engine it would be better financial decision to just replace with one that has lower miles. This isn't anything but a roadworthy future rally car to replace my 84 Dodge Omni GLH, so it thankfully doesn't need to be perfect.

 

You can save yourself the trouble of the 4 wires by simply installing the crankshaft locking pin from the timing set kit. It's more accurate too.

 

That's the crazy thing, everything still lines up with the cams switched. Locking pin in and camshaft lock tools and cylinders all down and in line. My mark on the crank hub lined up too. Just a really stupid error...been telling my wife all day that I'm so careful and triple check everything, not sure how I managed this other than I was too tired to be working on it.

 

Do you have the manual? If not, IM me and I can send you the .PDF file.