M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: nicknikolovski on November 18, 2007, 03:46:35 AM

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: nicknikolovski on November 18, 2007, 03:46:35 AM

Hi guys, i'm gonna replace my chain, the rails, and sprockets as well as the gaskets.

1. Anyone know much about the crank sprocket for the M42? What I want to is does it simply slide onto the crank and get bolted back on or does it have to be heated to a certain temp before going back on like the M10 crank?

2. Also if I do the timing chain and unbolt the upper & lower timing cases obviously, do I need to replace the "dreaded" profile gasket in the upper case?

3. Is it possible to replace the gasket without removing the cylinder head?

Any help would be largely appreciated.
Thanks

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: cecotto on November 18, 2007, 10:47:54 AM

Quote from: nicknikolovski;37865

Hi guys, i'm gonna replace my chain, the rails, and sprockets as well as the gaskets.

1. Anyone know much about the crank sprocket for the M42? What I want to is does it simply slide onto the crank and get bolted back on or does it have to be heated to a certain temp before going back on like the M10 crank?

2. Also if I do the timing chain and unbolt the upper & lower timing cases obviously, do I need to replace the "dreaded" profile gasket in the upper case?

3. Is it possible to replace the gasket without removing the cylinder head?

Any help would be largely appreciated.
Thanks

1. It just slides on there. (Installation: Torque to 300Nm)

2. I'd say if you only do the covers, and don't uninstall the cylinder head, you do not need to do the profile gasket.

3. The profile gasket can only be replaced by removing the cylinder head.

Hope to help.

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: sheepdog on November 18, 2007, 11:11:10 AM

Quote from: cecotto;37870

1. It just slides on there. (Installation: Torque to 300Nm)

2. I'd say if you only do the covers, and don't uninstall the cylinder head, you do not need to do the profile gasket.

3. The profile gasket can only be replaced by removing the cylinder head.

Hope to help.

Correct, the real bitch comes from the timing chain housing. Which means messing with the profile gasket and either dropping the lower pan or pulling the head.

Yes, you can do the profile without pulling the head, at least 2 people on here have done it.

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: D. Clay on November 18, 2007, 12:10:00 PM

The special tool looks like a piece of sheet metal with a handle.

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: m42mccabe on November 18, 2007, 10:08:36 PM

Here's a pretty good site for timing chain procedure.

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318istimingchain.html

You shouldn't have to replace the profile gasket if it has already been done to the car once.

Crank pulley is a bit tough and a camshaft holding tool makes things a bit easier as far a I know.

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: sheepdog on November 19, 2007, 12:49:17 PM

Quote from: D. Clay;37877

The special tool looks like a piece of sheet metal with a handle.

Yup, I used a bunch of feeler gauges, but a cement trowel or thin sheetmetal would work. Only way to go.

Title: Timing Chain & Crank Sprocket
Post by: nicknikolovski on November 22, 2007, 04:06:58 AM

Thanks guys, really appreciate all your help and info. I won't need to replace the profile gasket cause I'm only going to remove the timing case covers and not the actual timing chain housing that bolts to the block.