The rotary motion of the crankshaft is transferred to the camshaft via the chain drive. In this way it defines the interaction between the stroke motion of the piston and the movements of the valves.
The following features apply both to the M57 and M67:
• 2-piece chain drive
• Tensioning rail made from aluminium die casting with plastic slide lining
• Bushed roller chains
M57-specific features
• Chain drive 1: From crankshaft to common rail high pressure pump
• Chain drive 2: From common rail high pressure pump to camshafts
• Double-acting chain tensioner
M67-specific features
• Chain drive 1: From crankshaft to inlet camshaft, bank 1 (cyls. 1 – 4)
• Chain drive 2: From crankshaft to inlet camshaft, bank 2 (cyls. 5 – 8)
• Drive of camshafts with respect to each other by means of spur-toothed gearwheels
• Common rail high pressure pump driven by gearwheels for engine speed adaptation of inlet camshaft, bank 2
• Two chain tensioners mounted in cylinder head from outside
