Ahhh, Timing chain writeup

[///m42 sport]

I started on this today after my hose replacement.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is040-2.jpg
parts
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is041-2.jpg
undo radiator hoses, bracket ontop of radiator
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is042-2.jpg
take off bracket, then lift up radiator
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is044-2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is043-2.jpg
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.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is045-1.jpg
fan removed.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is046-1.jpg
Undo the bolts to the pulley similar to the way your removing the fan clutch
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is047-1.jpg
waterpump exposed
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is048-1.jpg
Need hex wrench for this sensor
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is049-1.jpg
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.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is055-1.jpg
theres your crankbolt
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is054-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is056-1.jpg

another sensor

[///m42 sport]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is056-1.jpg
undo the bolts for the metal water pipe
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is057-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is059-1.jpg
theres your thermostat
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is061-1.jpg
remove
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is062-1.jpg
now undo bolts for waterpump
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is064-1.jpg
there are 3 and one hex bolt.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is065-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is067-1.jpg
this is what happens if your not ready to catch the coolant that spill when you remove the waterpump.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is069-1.jpg
Now getting ready to lock the flywheel. Pull the white plug out.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is070-1.jpg
Now I finally found a use for that rod in my toolkit :)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is072-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is071-1.jpg
get your breaker bar w extension
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is073.jpg
simple enough
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is075-2.jpg
notice the groove
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is076.jpg

[///m42 sport]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is080.jpg
now to the headcover
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is081.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is082.jpg
remove plug wires
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is083.jpg
loosen this bracket for the wires.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is084.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is086-1.jpg
timing chain, sprocket.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is087.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is088.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is089.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is091.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is090.jpg

Since I won't be finishing my writeup, I'll add some pics I took of a friend engine.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is039-2.jpg
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.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/m42sport/318is038-2.jpg
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]

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

[swiss318is]

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

[DRtothE]

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

[KenCopperwheat]

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

[bimmerfahrer]

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]

How many miles do you have on the engine?

[Frankie]

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]

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

[tjts1]

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]

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]

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]

How many miles do you have on the engine?

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

[Frankie]

Well, I have square teeth in upper sprockets but my engine is in need for timing chain change. I would not rely on condition of upper sprockets.

[///m42 sport]

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!

I should've opened up the lower timing cover bc I believe this is where I'm leaking oil! Its more like a drip occasionally but I can see the timing cover gasket was wedged out a little bit. I did however try some mobil 1 20w-50 synthetic so this might be why I'm leaking. Anyways I already put the engine back together and don't plan on driving it that much so will probably tackle this problem later on.