M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: jrobie79 on July 31, 2008, 12:29:49 AM
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well i gonna tackle the timing chain replacement this weekend, i got all the parts from BP's list, however there seems to be one of the sprockets missing from his list, which is in the diagram on realoem. its the one near the bottom with the bearings in it, should i change this as well? and if you had any other suggestions which might make the job easier, aka any special tools, tricks to get it on right the first time...etc
thanks.
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That idler sprocket is close to $100. I debated not doing it, but decided to replace it anyway just for peace of mind.
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Well, I know from mountain bikes, that if you keep riding on a chain that is worn or stretched, the gears will wear to fit that stretched chain. Then when you put on the new chain, the gears can slip inside of the chain.
If the chain is always replaced before it is badly stretched, then the gears barely get worn at all.
I would probably do it for the piece of mind and since the timing case cover is already off.