M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: badboypolar on January 29, 2007, 11:38:11 PM
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So I bought a 318is with a blown head gasket. So I got the intake manifold off and then took off the valve cover. Besides the valve train looking burnt I found this piece of plastic broken in four pieces. After looking at the parts list on realoem I found it to be the slide rail.
It is bad that the slide rail is broken? Also what other things should I be looking for now that the engine is almost totally apart?
Thanks.
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Bent valves.
While its apart its a good idea to replace the chain system while you can get to it...
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sounds like it already needs to be replaced due to broken chain guides. also need new gears, a tensioner, and obviously guides.
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If you're *really* on a budget, I have a used chain and upper (cam) gears that I pulled off mine - I have no idea when they were last replaced (i.e., how many miles they have on them, at least 45k since that's what I put on the car before I swapped it all out), but the upper gears and chain were absolutely newer than the lower gears, and have very little wear on them. I also have a used chain tensioner and such, I'll have to look and see which ones I have that I would put on another car if you're interested.
Parts for just the timing chain replacement can run upwards of $500, FWIW - that's a new chain, gears, slide, tensioner, etc. Hate to think what new valves would run, but if you have any that are bent I would replace them all... I'm AR that way - "as long as I'm in there" is a well-known phrase in my garage! :D