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

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Petebee on July 17, 2008, 09:07:35 PM

Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Petebee on July 17, 2008, 09:07:35 PM: Not a job for the faint of heart, but I took my time, used the proper cam/crank locking tools and everything seems fine. She purrs like a kitten now (after about 2 seconds of chain clatter upon first start up). While I was at it I replaced the water pump and t'stat, too. Temp gauge stays pegged in the center of the gauge and...fingers crossed...no oil or coolant leaks.

I'm amazed at how much smoother the car sounds. My old timing belt and sprockets were worn, but didn't seem that loud compared to some of the videos I've viewed that were posted here. Guess they were pretty worn.

Thanks to everyone who participates on M42club with the advice/posts on this topic. It certainly helped give me confidence to tackle a fairly intense repair on my own. And thanks to Peerless for responding to my PM and dispensing good advice. I used the Permatex liquid gasket sealant on all gasket sealing surfaces (couldn't locate aircraft sealant that Peerless recommended locally). It certainly prevented the usual squishing that a bead of RTV will create.

New exhaust hangers - $$
Timing components - $$$ (plus $$$$$$$ in sweat equity)
Upgraded suspension - $$$$

Flogging my 318i at auto-x - Priceless :D
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: dude8383 on July 18, 2008, 08:13:41 AM: Timing chain!

:)

Good work.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: EN318isPDX on July 18, 2008, 01:05:42 PM: Timing Belts are for looooooooooooosers

Welcome to driving a fine piece of German engineering!
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Petebee on July 18, 2008, 08:56:54 PM: Ummm...yeah. Timing chain. Duh :rolleyes:
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: KyleTaylor on July 18, 2008, 09:24:53 PM: What all did you replace? Mine sounds like it is about to blow apart...
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Petebee on July 19, 2008, 09:38:04 PM: Quote from: KyleTaylor;53489
What all did you replace? Mine sounds like it is about to blow apart...

Timing chain
Tensioner
Good used cam and crank sprockets
Upper and lower timing case gaskets
Profile gasket that fits between timing cases
Water pump and o-ring
Thermostat, t-stat gasket and o-ring
BMW coolant
Castrol GTX 20W50, oil filter

Took me about 10 hours total including parts cleaning (spread out over 4 days)...didn't try to rush it as you have to pull apart quite a bit to do this properly.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: peerless on July 20, 2008, 01:26:21 AM: Glad I could be of assistance, cheers to a job well done! :)
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: KyleTaylor on July 20, 2008, 07:46:39 PM: Do you recall how much the chain and tensioner were? I assume you got it from the dealer...
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: nicknikolovski on July 21, 2008, 03:56:56 AM: Dude forget about the dealer - they'll just rip you off. Use Pelican Parts or BMA Parts. Much cheaper, same OEM products.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: KyleTaylor on July 21, 2008, 11:22:13 AM: Quote from: nicknikolovski;53570
Dude forget about the dealer - they'll just rip you off. Use Pelican Parts or BMA Parts. Much cheaper, same OEM products.

oem is what I was thinking...
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Petebee on July 21, 2008, 08:51:35 PM: Quote from: KyleTaylor;53548
Do you recall how much the chain and tensioner were? I assume you got it from the dealer...

I got my parts from Pelican Parts and BMA Parts. Not terribly expensive.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Jtuner on August 21, 2008, 11:05:38 PM: Just bought the whole shebang myself for this weekend,, water pump, all the gaskets, chain, all sprockets t-stat, etc etc,, all came out to about $685 from BMA
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: bimmerfahrer on August 23, 2008, 12:22:10 AM: I only wish I were just doing the timing CHAIN... I've got a full rebuild in the works...

peerless, What is this liquid gasket sealant that you recommended? I may need some advice as well...

Petebee, sounds like you did a nice job. I only hope my rebuild works out just as well. I'll need all the luck I can get with this job.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Petebee on August 23, 2008, 11:11:23 AM: bimmerfaher just take your time and you should be fine. Be sure to clean up the mating surfaces and torque everything to spec.
Title: Just R&R'd my Timing Components
Post by: Jtuner on August 23, 2008, 04:24:15 PM: Finished mine about an hour ago,, marked everything well, but didn't have the correct tools to lock everything.. I did a good job though I believe,, no leaks so far, no overheating, no more NOISE :D The engine feels so nice now,, 8 hour job straight through for me.. I didn't know our cam gears were adjustable,, good stuff to learn about your car lol
Good luck to anyone who does it,, take your time :)