My Next DIY

[DonovanPorter]

ok so this is my next DIY.

timing chain tensioner
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL32&mospid=47631&btnr=11_2060&hg=11&fg=25&hl=13

have to remove all of this
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AN92&mospid=47631&btnr=11_2063&hg=11&fg=10

its going to be a bugger to replace , but ill put the DIY in the DIY section

 

[zaleonardz]

:thumbsup:

 

[DonovanPorter]

luckly i have alot of patience.

 

[DeanoBlado]

At what time should one consider doing this?

Is it true that you don't need to change your timing chain ever on the e46?

 

[DonovanPorter]

never is a long time , but i have not heard of anyone changing the timing chain due to it breaking.well ihave only noticed a noise now and thats at 160k so iam not sure .... any one else got a view on this?

 

[DonovanPorter]

so i have just ordered the new tensioner and gasket set , the arrive tomorrow.will do the replacement the weekend gonna be a long weekend

 

[gazza]

well my old lady has 275 000 km's with the original chain, E46 323i
and i got the E36 with about the same on the clock also original, does a chain stretch that much that you need to replace it?

 

[DonovanPorter]

its more the tensioner that gives in.

 

[Stiffler_PE]

Maybe you guys could shed some light on this thought...

Was chatting about exactly this to a client a while back ( sold him one of our petrol RC engines and got chatting and found out he is a mechanic with a Brazilian years experience )
When i heard he was an experienced mechanic i hauled out the burning questions lol

His view on the timing chain was that it does stretch slightly over time but the tensioner also plays a part in the matter. What then happens is that the sensors feeding off that part of the timing section get, very slightly, incorrect data.
He gave example of a slight un-even idle etc.

Not sure what to make of the conversation... but i would like to do my e46 FL 318 as she is on 160k now.

Only reason i am keen to change the chain is that i look at my bike ( Fireblade ) and depending onhow i ride her, the chain needs adjusting every now and then until it is out of range and cant be adjusted anymore. Then its new chain and sprockets.
Now i know a superbike chain is probably under much more force and punishment. But it stretches... will the car chain also stretch, even if its over longer/slower period ?


What you guys scheme ?

 

[DonovanPorter]

iam sure that it will stretch , just not sure by how much or over what time frame , ill do the tensioner the weekend and see what the differance is if its still noisy then the chain is obviously i need of a change....

 

[DonovanPorter]

ok i changed the tensioner and all went well , but the noise is still there , iam starting to think it could be something to do with oil pressure??
how can i test oil pressure to make sure that it is okay ???

 

[DonovanPorter]

thermostat also f%#@ked out need to replace that aswell

 

[DonovanPorter]

Ok thermostat replaced and working 100% , rattle is still there , will be checking the hydraulic lifters the weekend , any thing i should look out for ??

cheers
Don