S52 Cams off time??

[Jezza]

Replacing the head gasket on an S52. Got cylinder 1 at TDC by the front crank pulley mark and looking at the cams, it looks like intake timing is a mile off?? The car ran perfect prior to this.

[Jezza]

Could it be that the vanos engaged and advanced the timing?

[Beej '86 325es]

I think that if it was that far off, you wouldn't be able to get combustion in the cylinders. A solenoid will return to it's default position when it's not energized; so that confuses me. I'm not an expert though, I timed my cams last winter, and that's beyond my comfort level.

[Wanganstyle]

are you using the proper camshaft blocks and flywheel tool to confirm the TDC>?

I've done HG and tear down of DOHC engines in my own cars a few times; its always lined up square in the back at TDC; the camshaft blocks will only hold the cams in place and bolt down if its perfectly square.