IS THIS OKAY? (pics)

[hamzalam]

Hi all,

I was doing a head gasket job on my '90 535i (m30b35) and I accidentally snapped my timing chain guide. About two inches came off from the top. I know the pain in taking off the lower timing cover and I was wondering if leaving the guide as is was okay.

Below I attached pictures of what it looks like...Thanks

IMG_0258.jpg
IMG_0261.jpg

[Mless5]

You are half way there... Might as well fix it and sleep tight. I know I wouldn't if I knew it was missing.

[pizzaman09]

That is a lot of guide. It is also on the side that the chain is heading down so that is the entrance to the guide for the chain. I would change it. You are halfway there.
I snapped a chain once on an M52B28. It wasn't too terrible to change honestly. When my chain broke it also took out part of the guide so I changed them too. They were very easy once the timing chain cover was off. It really helps to have two people to help pry the cover off of the front of the engine with a variety of large and small flat head screw drivers.

BTW, Mercedes master links fit BMW chain and make re-installation much easier. BMW and Benz both use Iwis for their timing chains.

[hamzalam]

Is there anyway that I could leave it? An impact wrench would not fit down there so I would have to get the 100$ tool to get the nut on the crankcase off. My timing and chain are both okay.

[White94RX]

Don't leave it like that. The timing chain guides are a very important component.

And by the way, even if you could get an impact down there, it won't take off the crank bolt. Not unless you're using a 3/4" or 1" impact gun. You need a proper tool to hold the crank, then a long breaker bar (probably with a 3 foot pipe on it) to break it loose.

[jp5Touring]

Replace the guide. Most likely broke it pulling the head off. Ask me how I know.

[SergeBMW]

Mine broke at 135,000 after replacing head gasket and other seals/parts. At the time I ended up leaving it and put it all back together. Was unable to remove the crankshaft bolt no matter what I did to it. Sold the car with 300,000 miles with no issues. In my experience it was ok, if you can remove the crankshaft JESUS bolt, then do it right, but just wanted to share my experience.