Author Topic: Ahhh, Timing chain writeup (Read 6421 times)

///m42 sport · « **on:** August 14, 2008, 01:33:59 AM »

I started on this today after my hose replacement.

parts

undo radiator hoses, bracket ontop of radiator

take off bracket, then lift up radiator

spray some penetrating oil into the fan clutch bolt. Set up your screw driver and thin wrench (got from a bicycle shop) like this. Its a left handed thread so turn clockwise if your standing infront of your car looking at the windshield.

fan removed.

Undo the bolts to the pulley similar to the way your removing the fan clutch

waterpump exposed

Need hex wrench for this sensor

Then for the main pulley. The bolts for the pulley were tight causing the cranshaft bolt to rotate too so I set this up to stop the rotation.
Once you get all the bolts out for the main pulley just pull toward the front of the car. Should pop out. I didn't bother loosening the belt.

theres your crankbolt

another sensor

///m42 sport · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:57:31 AM »

undo the bolts for the metal water pipe

theres your thermostat

remove

now undo bolts for waterpump

there are 3 and one hex bolt.

this is what happens if your not ready to catch the coolant that spill when you remove the waterpump.

Now getting ready to lock the flywheel. Pull the white plug out.

Now I finally found a use for that rod in my toolkit

get your breaker bar w extension

simple enough

notice the groove

///m42 sport · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:02:48 AM »

now to the headcover

remove plug wires

loosen this bracket for the wires.

timing chain, sprocket.

Since I won't be finishing my writeup, I'll add some pics I took of a friend engine.

Notice the 2 indents on the square part of the camshaft. These need to be facing up in order for the engine to be at TDC
You'll need a cam shaft holder to hold these in place.

The rectangular tool you see in this pic.
Also once your ready to replace your sprockets, use a scribe to mark the exact location of the bolts on the sprocket. This needs to be EXACT. Transfer these marks to the new sprocket or else your timing will be off!

Thats about all I know

///m42 sport · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:03:47 AM »

what do ya'll think? are my chain and sprockets still in descent shape? Good for another couple thousand more miles?

swiss318is · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2008, 04:06:57 AM »

your chain and sprockets are good for a looooooooot of miles more!!! have fun with it..!! nice gloves btw..

DRtothE · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2008, 04:23:05 AM »

If your sprockets are not sharp, you are good for green. Swiss318is, he can't get his finger nails dirty, leave him alone. ;p

KenC · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2008, 09:19:18 AM »

No way in hell I would go through the trouble of replacing those. They're good for MANY thousand more miles.

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2008, 10:42:55 AM »

Cam sprockets seem fine.... what about the crank sprocket? The Cam sprockets on my 318iC were fine, but the crank sprocket had some very sharp teeth and will certainly be replaced when I rebuild it.

batsbats · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2008, 11:17:29 AM »

How many miles do you have on the engine?

Frankie · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:53:08 PM »

Does it make noise between 2800-3200rpm? I would suggest that you open up the timing cover since you are there and check all guide rails and lower sprockets!

mkodama · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2008, 06:15:05 PM »

Beautifully done write up and great pictures! It was entertaining to read through it and look at the pictures!

tjts1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2008, 06:42:31 PM »

Those timing sprockets and chain look fine. What prompted you to take on this project? Have you dropped the lower oil pan yet to check for broken chain rail bits or blots?
Check this out.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594

///m42 sport · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2008, 11:57:45 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;54891

Those timing sprockets and chain look fine. What prompted you to take on this project? Have you dropped the lower oil pan yet to check for broken chain rail bits or blots?
Check this out.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594

uhh story is complicated. I never got a maintenance history on my 318 since my ownership 5 yrs ago. Then I put 70k miles on it...left it at home and drove my 325 to school. Bought parts beforehand thinking it was time for a overhaul and got home to tear down the engine. I guess I got lucky and everything was in good shape.

Too bad...for you guys... no writeup for the timing chain.

///m42 sport · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2008, 11:58:21 PM »

Quote from: DRtothE;54838

If your sprockets are not sharp, you are good for green. Swiss318is, he can't get his finger nails dirty, leave him alone. ;p

Yeah dude, I just got a manicure.

///m42 sport · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2008, 09:38:01 AM »

Quote from: batsbats;54854

How many miles do you have on the engine?

My odometer stopped at 248k since then I put another 30k