Author Topic: let me see your timing chain guide rails! (Read 5560 times)

xwill112x · « **on:** April 02, 2009, 08:22:18 PM »

So over at r3v, people say at around 150k+ the guide rails deteriorate. even with a well working tensioner.

so any body have any experience with this?

let me see whatcha got, or anything else intresting with the timing components as well.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2009, 01:34:19 PM »

Whats your mileage? Have you checked for debris inside your oil pan? Have you checked your sprocket teeth to see what kind of condition they are in?

I didn't find debris in my pan but my sprocket teeth were really sharp so I did my chain (along with most all the timing stuff). My car didn't come with any maintenance history and has 168,000 miles. I have a picture of my old rails next to the new ones but not on this computer - they looked to be the original rails. They were starting to crack and had grooves from the chain rubbing on them.

If the timing components have never been changed on your M42 its probably due.

xwill112x · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2009, 01:59:08 PM »

ive dropped the pan, fixed the bolts etc.

only found 1 tiny peice of plastic, which i assume is from the rail. and i just replaced the tensioner like 1500 miles ago so thats good. as far as the teeth go, mine are not to sharp, still square-ish.

and yes, it is probably due, but i dont have the budget to fix it. i'll probably just wait till the goes, then m50/s50 swap it.

i was just curious to as what everyone else's timing rails look like past 150k

beemer1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2009, 03:13:34 PM »

I didn't take any pics of the old ones when I removed them, but I can tell you they were worn down pretty well. The left and right guides were the worst ones. The top guide was in great condition, the bottom guide showed some wear. And I always made sure I replaced the tensioner when it needed to be changed.

Steve

xwill112x · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2009, 03:34:45 PM »

how much longer do you think you would have made it with out changing them?

KenC · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:04:44 PM »

My bottom one bitthe dust at 275k. The others were still in decent shape. Keeping up on the tensioner will extend their life trmendously.

xwill112x · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:08:00 PM »

k.

thanks!

any more info on the teeth/chain?

KenC · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:45:08 PM »

Quote from: xwill112x;69395

k.

thanks!

any more info on the teeth/chain?

My sprocket teeth are pretty worn. I replaced the chain when I tore the engine apart a few thousand miles ago (bad rings, long story), but I'm not sure that it was bad.

beemer1 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:49:20 PM »

Quote from: xwill112x;69393

how much longer do you think you would have made it with out changing them?

I have about 200k on the clock so not much longer. Plus the guide on the drivers side shattered when hitting a large pothole :eek: When I took the guide out it was unrecognizable.

strad · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2009, 06:35:18 PM »

I inspected at 200k or so. sprockets are worn, but there was nothing in the pan, nor was there anything in the pan 9k miles earlier. It doesn't seem to be making very much noise. Right now the project is a timing belt replacement on the M20. After that though I'll do the M42's timing case.

B318M42W · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:04:25 PM »

right guide had a chip 1" long missind on the side, and it looked like it was starting to "peel" off. also has chain marks from rubbing. Left guide wasn't too bad but was deffinatly showing some wear from chain rubbing. and they also felt a bit hard and plastic like, while the new ones were more rubbery feeling to them. engine has about 170K miles. drives a lot better and it sounds a lot better too!

xwill112x · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:25:23 PM »

how hard is it to do?

beemer1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:47:17 PM »

Not hard to do, just time consuming. Just one recommendation...degrease your engine BEFORE you get started. I learned the hard way. Also make sure your torque everything to spec or you will strip the threads very easily, again I learned the hard way

Steve

xwill112x · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2009, 07:48:57 AM »

hmmm

i was eye balling part websites, and that shit is expensive, pelicanparts seemed to be the best, anyone else kow of any where any better?

i could buy a nv m50 for the cost of all that shit. lol

JP 91iS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:34:17 AM »

I found my chain the cheapest at fap99.com - decent guys there, its a fairly small operation. Other than that I got most of my parts at pelicanparts. I think I have a discount code that is still active, $10 off $100 or more. Good til april 17.