Timming Components :(

[riderke16]

:help ...K so i am thinking of replacing my timming chain to reduce some noise. So i looked online and found a chain for around 8o$. But after talking to a few people, they are saying i need to replace other parts around the chain, such as......this is where your help comes in. If anyone has a detailed list on the parts i NEED to change out that would be nice. Also if anyone has tried to do this by themselves before and have the steps on how to do it w/pics maybe, that would be great thanks!

[UnderCoverGuy11]

The chain is a non wear item, if you have noise just replace the tensioner and use a thicker oil

[BMWdriverwanted]

Actually, it does stretch and wear, a little, over time, but, if he is going all the way in there, I would just replace it anyways along with everything else.

OP, go to realoem and look up your car, you will see the exploded view. Just replace the chain and tensioners like mentioned if thats what your gonna do.

[UnderCoverGuy11]

Well if you really want to change your chain... Change the chain guides and tensioners

[riderke16]

Ya i knew about the chain wear but he wants me to replace the guides, runners and a few others ..do i need to change those out?
Ya ive been on realoem.com ....sick website , love it and there was about 7 or 8 full parts. So im just concerned about the ones i absolutly have to change WITH the chain if any such as the guides and runners... He said it would be good to change everything because if you change just the chain , something else around it might break and cause some more problems!! Thoughts?

Thicker oil doesnt solve anything ;)

[flyfishvt]

You don't need to waste your money on a chain. If it is slightly stretched...that's what the chain tensioner is for. It takes up the slack. All you need to replace is the main chain tensioner down on the lower left and the chain guide at the top. Forget the rest and forget the thicker oil.

[riderke16]

k what about the guides cuz there are 3 or 4 guides ? I knew about the thicker oil thing haha dont worry i do things the right way.

[Dynski]

To replace the chain you have to remove the vanos and cam gears, and the rattle may be your vanos anyway. Unless you have a non vanos engine...but you can start by replacing the lower tensioner, its easy and you dont have to take anything apart, if its the old style with 2 washers it may have failed, you want the new style one with 1 washer...it is located on the passenger side of the head towards front of car

There are 2 guides within the timing chain cover, and the third is for the cam gear chain in between the 2 cam gears

[slocar]

To replace the chain you have to remove the vanos and cam gears, and the rattle may be your vanos anyway. Unless you have a non vanos engine...but you can start by replacing the lower tensioner, its easy and you dont have to take anything apart, if its the old style with 2 washers it may have failed, you want the new style one with 1 washer...it is located on the passenger side of the head towards front of car

There are 2 guides within the timing chain cover, and the third is for the cam gear chain in between the 2 cam gears

He has a 318; he has no vanos.

[por911]

You might consider picking up a Bentley Manual which describes the process, albeit, not terribly well though. If the car has high miles(ie 120k +), then it might not be a bad idea to replace the front housing gaskets, chain, rails, tensioner, and ramps. You'll be surprised afterwards how much torque you've gained back in the motor. The chains stretch quite a bit, especially ones that long. I will do ours at the afore mentioned miles when the car hits it.
regards

[riderke16]

Ya no vanos , k so just maybe change the chain and lower guide ?? If that fixs it do i need to worry about the other guides and sprokets etc goin bad and breaking , causing more damage?

[flyfishvt]

You're overthinking this thing. Don't get so paranoid. Timing chain failure in these cars is almost completely unheard of. Sprokets are the same. Unless you have over 300,000 miles just do the simple stuff and forget it.

[CirrusSR22]

I just made a DIY to replace the timing chain guides (there are five on the M44) and tensioner.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1779151

I've never heard of a failing chain on the M42 or M44, but replacing the tensioner and especially the plastic chain guides is a very good idea. Not that replacing the chain and sprockets is a bad idea, just probably not needed unless you are planning on pushing over 300,000 miles. That plastic can become quite brittle after 15-20 years of constant heat cycles. These plastic chain guides are well-known to fail on BMW V8s and I've seen a couple on other engines as well.

[riderke16]

K thanks so much i guess i am a bit parinoid hah. Thanks for all the comments. !