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FAQ / REFERENCE => M42 Buyer's Guide => Topic started by: NOLB on September 23, 2014, 12:26:43 PM

Title: Broken intake cam. To buy or not to buy
Post by: NOLB on September 23, 2014, 12:26:43 PM

I have been trying to decide on buying a 91 318is. The intake cam is broken in half.
It comes with a new cam and I am very mechanically capable. But I'm not sure why it broke in the first place.
I don't want to buy it and have it break again. Any input would be awesome :)

Title: Re: Broken intake cam. To buy or not to buy
Post by: colin86325 on September 26, 2014, 07:52:49 AM

I would guess that the cam was installed incorrectly.  The cams are hollow and if you don't tighten all cam bearing caps gradually you can  end up with a snapped cam.

If this was the case and the engine was never run, then it probably is ok.  If the cam somehow broke during operation, then you have bigger issues...

Title: Re: Broken intake cam. To buy or not to buy
Post by: Warsteiner on September 26, 2014, 08:06:20 AM

Why don't you ask the seller what happened? Ie.. Were they driving when it happened? Did they do any maintenance that required removing the cam?

Just a thought....that may get you a little closer to the answer and since you're mechanically inclined you can read through their you know what!!

Good luck!!


Cheers,
~Ralph