e36 318is timing chain troubles

[maxnce_]

Hello fellow m42 enthousiasts

This forum has been a big help so far but this time i'm stuck and desperate. Maybe there are topics about this problem but I searched for days without exact solution.
I replaced my timing chain and now the car idles very rough and occasionally stalls. If I rev it there is a bang in the intake manifold.
I had a rough idle before so I cleaned the icv. When that did not improve it like I wanted I replaced it.

I'm starting to think I did not replace the timing chain as I should have.
The cams are square at the back. the two arrows facing up and the cam lobes are facing eachother upwards. Piston 1 is at TDC.
BUT I think I locked the flywheel the wrong way. I used the hole covered by a rounded trapezium shaped piece of rubber behind the sump to keep everything in place but it still could wiggle a teeth or two.

I feel like an idiot but can someone post a picture of the correct hole where the flywheel locking pin should be put in. I searched online but the pictures aren't clear enough.

PS: the engine turns and starts. I tough the m42b18 was an interfering design and that the valves would touch the piston if I cranked it manually. This did not happen so I tought the replacement was succesful.

I have some pictures. they're all taken with engine at TDC except for those with the hole I used for locking the flywheel. Can't remember if I put it at TDC1.
I also have pictures of the crankshaft sensor pulley. maybe the gurus will see if it's positioned the right way (it's at TDC).














Can someone help me out? Thanks!

[1998ccc]

You can ballpark TDC with a long screwdriver to make sure you are not way off..  Remove #1 plug, insert screwdriver until it's resting on top of the piston.  Rotate the engine observing the  screwdrivers up and down motion to ballpark TDC.

The stop built into the flywheel is an oval, not a circle so there is a little wiggle room on TDC.

The best method of finding TDC is a dead stop.  You can make one yourself with an old spark plug and bolt.

[maxnce_]

thank you for your reply
piston 1 is at top dead center using the screwdriver method. Cams are square and correct. But I believe the crankshaft sprocket is off as I can't see any way to lock the flywheel.
also I think the crankshaft sensor pulley should give away if my timing is right but I don't know in what position it was before the chain replacement.

I hope I make sense

edit: I used the hole in picture number four as top dead center reference. i put a screw in it so it stayed locked in place. I guess thats not where you're supposed to put the locking pin (if you have it) ?

[maxnce_]

Bump. Does someone have a decent picture ?

[1998ccc]

The flywheel lock slot is @ ~8 o'clock

https://3a663eb0fef48c6d2d60-a88f8ebfcdb877ad223e888bfcb7f7ec.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/815390_x800.jpg

Did you remove the cams?  e is intake...some people think it's exhaust.

[maxnce_]

Thank you for your reply. I see now. But I don't think I can reach that slot by that hole in the engine block I showed in the pictures. I did not remove the cams.

[1998ccc]

Your pic looks like it might be a balancing hole for the flywheel vs the slot to lock the flywheel.

Try a dental mirror to see the slot.  It should line up after you remove the plastic plug.

[maxnce_]

Yes indeed. The hole in the pictures is NOT where you are supposed to lock the flywheel. After some more research I found it and the flywheel is locked. That was the good news. Turns out everything is as it should be (cams square etc). So I'm back where I started...

Thanks for the help!