Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
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RuiFFAlvez

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Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
« on: February 05, 2021, 01:08:47 PM »
Hello!

I am new to this forum, as I recently found it when doing a Google search for an elusive timing chain guide/slider... My name is Rui, I'm portuguese and I have a 1994 318is Coupé, with about 340k kms on the clock.

The chain and all the guides, tensioners and slides are still original and, even though it has had quite a lot of abuse thrown at it, the chain is actually not very loud and it doesn't really seem to be getting much worse...for now... A couple of months ago I noticed (my mechanic did) that there was a slight "delay" on it though, some "slack" per say and a very slight noise coming from it... As it has done quite a few kms I though I'd do the full service and refresh the whole timing assembly - chain, guides, tensioners, etc, etc. Problem is, as you guys probably know, one of the M42 sliders does not exhist new anymore (no ETA on delivery usually means no more part with BMW, as my experience goes...). The part number is (for BMW) 11311727342 and I've read (elsewhere and on this forum) that the 11311743262 part (for the M44) does not retrofit (my mechanic told me the same, as did the BMW Parts guy from my town). Does anyone have a solution for this? Is there a way to fit the M44 part or some sort of replacement for the M42 one?

Thanks in advance for your answers!
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bmwman91

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Re: Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2021, 12:46:10 AM »
Try looking around eBay. Often enough, someone is selling new-old-stock parts, although these ones are becoming a bit tricky.

The other solution, although more involved, is to swap in an M44 timing case. It's mostly a direct swap as long as you get the corresponding gaskets, but you will need a custom machined bracket to hold the crank position sensor (Metric Mechanic here in the US makes them and would probably sell you one).
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06/05/2011 - 212,354 miles
Visit HERE for a plethora of 318iS stuff and some other randomness.  Would you say I have a, plethora, of pinatas?

sopicki

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Re: Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2021, 08:35:26 AM »
« Last Edit: February 15, 2021, 08:42:43 AM by sopicki »
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Bob
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'91 318ic
'64 Land Rover SIIa "Nellie"

bmwman91

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Re: Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2021, 11:41:47 AM »
Holy hell, these parts have gotten expensive! I last had to do a full timing case job in ~2007 and aside from parts being easily available, they cost a lot less. Of course, that engine died and I had a 2.1L built in 2012 which had new parts in it, and I've only put maybe 40K miles on it since then...fingers are crossed that the timing stuff lasts me a very long time, because it'll definitely be the end of the car when it needs to be replaced again. I'm tempted to pick up spares now before it is no longer an option...

As far as I am aware, the parts that the chain slides on, and the chain itself, are really the only wear parts. The sprockets should be good indefinitely, unless the chain was badly damaged (broken rollers) and eroding the roots of the teeth. The other big fault in these suckers is the deflector sprocket (#11 in the diagram). The bearings can blow out, and the timing case casting itself can break where it mounts. Personally, I would at a minimum swap to a 1994-95 M42 timing case. In those years, they updated it to eliminate the sprocket in favor of another slider rail, and it would provide a lot of peace of mind. I think that the case-to-block gasket is the only difference, and you can just get the PN from the later E36 M42 parts diagram. Of course, swapping the case makes it into a 3x bigger job lol.
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06/05/2011 - 212,354 miles
Visit HERE for a plethora of 318iS stuff and some other randomness.  Would you say I have a, plethora, of pinatas?

RuiFFAlvez

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Re: Chain slider/guide isn't available anywhere - what to do?
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2021, 02:32:25 PM »
Quote from: bmwman91 on February 09, 2021, 12:46:10 AM
Try looking around eBay. Often enough, someone is selling new-old-stock parts, although these ones are becoming a bit tricky.

The other solution, although more involved, is to swap in an M44 timing case. It's mostly a direct swap as long as you get the corresponding gaskets, but you will need a custom machined bracket to hold the crank position sensor (Metric Mechanic here in the US makes them and would probably sell you one).

I have been looking on ebay for quite a while now - when I did find one, the guy sold it within a couple of hours  :-\ The M44 case solution might be the route I take. I'll talk with my mechanic about the bracket, as he has some experience with machining new parts as well. Thank you!  :D

Quote from: sopicki on February 15, 2021, 08:35:26 AM
Maximillian appears to have one.

Might have to cut and paste.

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BA73&mospid=47325&btnr=11_1191&hg=11&fg=25


I have sent an email asking if it really is available, as several other websites (Pelican Parts, Turner Motorsport, some BMW dealers, etc) say it is available as well but then don't actually have an ETA on the part, as it's not being made anymore by BMW, apparently... Thank you, though, maybe they really have it! :D
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