318i with 119K - need timing chain tensioner advice

[Petebee]

Hi folks,

Just purchased a 91 318i with 119K. It is a two owner car, with one owner consuming 111K of the miles and most of the time (previous owner had it for about 7 months).

The original owner was fastidious about maintenance and I have the records and service book for the car. Was pretty much BMW dealer serviced for most of the repairs save oil changes (which were performed every 3K).

Receipts indicate that the profile gasket was replaced at 64K. Owner must have haggled because the parts added up to hundreds, but total bill was $24 (cost of the oil change).

It also had several recalls including an updated throttle switch (5K), knee bolster (13K), throttle housing (25K), coding plug/throttle harness (30K), and cooling modification - t'stat and hoses (55K).

I can't see anywhere that the chain tensioner was ever replaced. It states on the maintenance schedule that the timing chain on M20 engines (I know this is not one of those) requires adjustment at the 30K service (Level II), and every 30K after that.

I am planning on playing it safe and replacing the tensioner which looks pretty straight forward.

I will also pull the cam cover and take pics. My gut is that the sprockets are good as the primary owner never revved the engine much. If the sprockets look good, am I okay or should I bite the bullet and have someone swap the chain? I will also drop the lower pan and check the upper pan bolts.

It appears that I can reuse the rubber cam cover gasket if I am careful removing the cover. Can someone help with the torque specs/tightening sequence for the cam cover and lower pan? I got a Bentley with the car, but it doesn't cover the M42 engine.

Thanks!

[sheepdog]

If the sprockets look good, swap the tensioner.
If they are bad, start considering changing it all.

Yes, you can re-use the gasket.
Not sure on torque, but start in the center and work your way out in a spiral.

[tjts1]

Tensioner
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2925
Not sure about tightening torque. I just did it by hand. I reused the gasket and put silicone sealant on the gasket. I used very little torque. It never leaked. Its easy to over tighten these bolts and destroy the threads in the head.
http://ee1394.com/bmw/docs/factory/repair/en/repair/htm/0076.htm
Complete service manual here.
http://ee1394.com/bmw/docs/factory/repair/en/index1.htm

[Petebee]

Not sure on torque, but start in the center and work your way out in a spiral.

Start in the center and work in sequence around the perimeter or start in the center and cross over to the opposite bolt and go back and forth in a star-type pattern?

Thx!

[Petebee]

Thanks for the links...those are quite useful (especially since my Bentley doesn't cover the M42 )

My experience with water-cooled VWs is to torque to something like 7 ft. lbs. Essentially same deal...don't over tighten things on an aluminum head.

[sheepdog]

Start in the center and work in sequence around the perimeter or start in the center and cross over to the opposite bolt and go back and forth in a star-type pattern?

Thx!

More of a star pattern working outward is best, but just doing a circle is not all that bad either. If you had bolts all over it would be more critical.
The gasket here also compensates for a lot.