Author Topic: Name This Part in My Oil Pan (Read 3925 times)

1998ccc · « **on:** October 18, 2010, 11:18:29 PM »

Found this plastic part when I dropped the lower pan. Any clues? Bolts were tight in upper pan. Engine runs fine with no funny noises.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2010, 12:21:32 AM »

part of your timing chain guide rail, they are known for breaking

1998ccc · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2010, 01:19:55 AM »

#7 ??

Should I replace it or is it safe as is? Engine has ~220K miles.

e30boarder · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2010, 11:15:47 AM »

it could be part of # 14 or 6 to. the pics kinda fuzzy, i cant tell. but the # 6 guide rail in mine broke and i found 2 pieces right in the front part of the oil pan. one of the pieces went right through the cam gear. you can see the teeth marks lol.

after you take the part out of your oil pan, you might be alright. ive heard of people driving for 1k+ miles with missing/broken guide pieces. i wouldnt do it though. im rebuilding the whole engine

manchuk · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2010, 11:22:59 AM »

it looks like the ear for the screw on number 7 mine did the same thing so when i rebuilt the moter i couldnt get the part , i talked to a bmw mechanic and he said it would b fine as long as your tensioners are good, but i also put a .120 mls gasket on so it took alot of the natural slack out of the chain

rob_e30 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2010, 12:14:52 PM »

I would strongly recommend you pull the timing chain covers and replace the guides. One of these pieces breaking loose can ride through the cam gears and cause the chain to slip. If that happens you can be in for bent valves. I know because I bought an E30 318 convertible that had this happen.

VegasKyle · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2010, 12:51:46 PM »

Its hard to tell how big the piece is. It's part of one of the chain guides for sure. This is what I found in my oil pan when I bought the car.

I was able to drive it from Seattle where I bought the car home to Nevada. The next time I drove it I was about a mile away from home and all hell broke loose. Luckily it didn't jump time and my valves are safe. If swapping a new engine in is no big deal then go ahead and drive it. I dodged a bullet with mine, others haven't been so lucky.

1998ccc · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2010, 04:27:43 PM »

There were no other parts in the pan. I can shake the two upper guides that you can get to with the valve cover removed. They feel tight. My best guess is that it is #7.

Just picked up the car last week and don't really want to throw a bunch of $ @ a timing chain on an engine that I think will be pulled for something with more power.

Anybody have any good used parts they want to sell in case I decide to patch this one up or can I drive this one a little to make up my mind on the M42 vs. swap?

Pic of my sprockets...they don't look very good either.

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VegasKyle · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2010, 04:42:30 PM »

You can drive it. Who knows how long it will last. I don't think I'd go through the trouble of swapping in used parts. If you don't care about the engine, just drive it. If you do you can replace everything for under $500 if you take your time looking for parts. I'm doing the idler gear, all 4 guides, chain, tensioner, gaskets and thermostat for about $300.

1998ccc · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2010, 07:54:34 PM »

Quote from: VegasKyle;97863

Y I'm doing the idler gear, all 4 guides, chain, tensioner, gaskets and thermostat for about $300.

That's not so bad. Where did you find the parts that cheap?