Replacing tensioner, timing chain, guides for first time.

[danegel]

Just looking for some wisdom on disassembly, and proper installation of the tensioner, timing chain & guides....Thanky.

[MikeDE]

Have you done any engine work before??  If not, find someone who has to help.  Then get a Bentley manual, a clean workplace, plenty of patience and take a shitload of pics upon disassembly for your own reference later, and asks as many q's of us as you must, no matter how silly it seems.

Make sure you have proper tools for the job.  Many parts you will be dealing with are aluminum and they ABSOLUTELY do not take kindly to overtorquing.  Speaking of which, get yourself a bunch of M6 & M8 helicoil/sets(bits, taps, helicoils) or Timeserts(name?) BEFORE embarking into this little part of Hell.

At the bare minimum, one needs COMMON SENSE, Flywheel lock pin(8mm or 5/16 drill bit will do), small 1/4" tq wrench, loctite blue, A cam locking tool or fashion your own.

I say this b/c I am an experienced mechanic and I had some hurdles to overcome with my build(see sig).  I can honestly say that w/o the years of accumulated knowlegde, I would be in an even worse pickle right now.

Good luck Greenhorn, may the Force be with you.

[DesktopDave]

LOL

+1 on all that.  It's a lot more involved than the old M20 timing belt swaps, that's for sure.

[danegel]

I've never replaced a timing chain before but I've been wrenching on cars since childhood so I have some idea of the task ahead of me.

I'm working with the (shitty) Haynes Manual right now...I would definitely appreciate a link to a Bentley Manual .PDF if anybody has one. I've tried to find a current link on here but none I've found work anymore.

Anyways, got it torn down to the lower timing cover with fairly little trouble but progress is stalled because I cant figure out how to get these pulley's off (see pics) so I can get at the lower timing chain cover.

[danegel]

I can't figure out why but its not letting me post the pics I took

[MikeDE]

I've never replaced a timing chain before but I've been wrenching on cars since childhood .....I cant figure out how to get these pulley's off (see pics) so I can get at the lower timing chain cover.

Break the 10mm WP bolts with the belt on, and the crank pulley:  either bump it with the starter OR a 5/16" or 8mm drill bit in the FW and breaker bar with a BIG helper on the end.  My crank pulley came off by hand, some people have had to use a puller.

Good luck, Slick......

Oh, I figured out why you can't post pics...you have an E36 hahahahaha  I kid, I kid.