Grr.. my timing chain slipped *pic update (56k no)

[bimmerlover]

When I bought my new cabrio.. I had been told that a timing chain guide rail was broken and needed to be replaced. I took the covers off and checked it out.. could see where it had broken but the chain looked ok and seemed good and snug. I ordered all of the parts (all new rails, chain, and gaskets).

I drove the car a bit. On my way to my parents last weekend to do all the work.. it died. I made it almost there.. and it left me on the side of the road.

So we got her home.. (I'm the girl in the picture)


And today when we tore into the engine..

Pretty ain't it? I did a real number on the pistons.. the cylinder walls look kinda rough too.




I think the broken rail above (top/middle) must have caused there to be enough slack for the chain to slip.. and at 65mph, it caused real havoc. If you have any other theories, let me know. I'm dreadfully frustrated with my stupidity already, so I don't need anybody to beat me over the head for this. All other comments/questions are welcome.

[silverblades181]

that engine is pretty carbonised...did it have oil consumption issues? And are you doing a rebuild?

[bimmerlover]

that engine is pretty carbonised...did it have oil consumption issues? And are you doing a rebuild?

I really don't know for sure about the history of any oil consumption; I've just owned the car a few weeks now. I agree that it's nasty/dirty though.

I'm being advised to drop another m42 in there rather than try to rebuild what I have. I found a wrecked e36 318 for $500 that I'm eying closely.

I'm open to suggestions on the matter though.

[silverblades181]

it's pretty cheap for 500$, I say do it. Then put this one on a stand and start building yourself an S42

[D. Clay]

That's two M42Club folks that have had their engines go south on the way to get them repaired/replaced. You and Febi Guibo should share a beer for crying in!
I'd go the E36 route and it's not all bad. I bet you turn some heads in that cabrio and will like it even more when it's back on the road with a nicely detailed engine compartment.

[mikesjo]

You know more about engines than I do!

[bimmerlover]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the positive thoughts.

[M42boy]

If the car is $500, I wonder what sort of condition the motor is in though.  But, then again, it's $500.    

Yeah, I'd drop in a new motor, but you may want to spend a little and make sure you change out all the timing case stuff, guide rails, tensioners, etc...  water pump, etc...   It's still not going to be cheap when it's all said and done.

But, your E30 cabrio looks great!  Hope you can get it back on the road soon.

[Febi Guibo]

well, it certainly looks like the situation is in good hands (yours!)

...$500 is a pretty decent deal for an engine, although you might be able to get a parts car with a decent engine, take the engine, and sell the parts, which means you might actually come out a little ahead (rare with cars).

At the least you can run this idea by the person and maybe get the engine for less...

anyway... changing an engine in is a nice opportunity to change all the other crap, hoses, starter, and clutch, plus clean it and the engine bay up well.... which helps when diagnosing oil leaks.

these are educational cars, no doubt...

[FL318is]

Change out the engine.  If mine goes south, I will.  As a matter of fact I am thinking M3 motor.

BTW, your cab is beautiful!

[sheepdog]

That's two M42Club folks that have had their engines go south on the way to get them repaired/replaced. You and Febi Guibo should share a beer for crying in!
I'd go the E36 route and it's not all bad. I bet you turn some heads in that cabrio and will like it even more when it's back on the road with a nicely detailed engine compartment.

3.
Mine was on its way home to be checked for bolts in the pan.

Unfortunately after just buying new ties, rack and tie rod ends...

[sheepdog]

I think the broken rail above (top/middle) must have caused there to be enough slack for the chain to slip.. and at 65mph, it caused real havoc. If you have any other theories, let me know. I'm dreadfully frustrated with my stupidity already, so I don't need anybody to beat me over the head for this. All other comments/questions are welcome.

The top rail does very little actually. It only keeps the chain from flying up and hitting the valve cover and force it to go the right direction. Had this been the cause I would imagine only the exhaust cam would have slipped.

I would like to see what is in the lower half of the timing system as I am betting that either the crank sprocket is worn to hell. How sharp were the teeth on the cam sprockets? If they were very shark, then the others are worn heavily as well. Combined with a broken rail, probably caused by a bad tensioner, several other rails may also be broken.

Basically worn teeth, worn tensioner, and broken rails is a recipe for disaster.




$500 for a complete car/engine, is a deal. You will likely find other random bits you can also use. Plus sell a few things off and you can actually make money on the car.

I would pull the cam/chain covers and take a look at it, also put fresh oil, filter on it, and maybe some engine cleaner into the oil just to clean out any sludge. Then do another filter/oil change.

[tim_s]

oh man, that's unlucky, i certainly wouldn't beat yourself up and call yourself stupid etc, i think you were more unlucky than anything.
i agree about the swap though, think there's not much salvagable there

[D. Clay]

If that E36 M42 is still in the car and comes with it, you can go to a serpentine belt without buying any additional parts except maybe A/C hoses. There's places that make them up using the ends for cheap.

[sheepdog]

oh man, that's unlucky, i certainly wouldn't beat yourself up and call yourself stupid etc, i think you were more unlucky than anything.
i agree about the swap though, think there's not much salvagable there

Yep, not really a problem created by the current owner but one more of previous.

A bit of warning though. Whenever a previous owner says anything like "we pulled ____ out of the pan..." on any vehicle, walk away right then unless you are prepared for a rebuild.

There should never be anything but oil in the pan (except on Bimmers, a bolt or 2 is ok). The only metal shavings allowed are fresh shavings from machining the engine, as in a new rebuilt. Even then, there really should be none. Anything else spells trouble brewing.