Timing Chain Guides

[Mannyf540]

Since your nut is remove and the threads aren’t damaged, why not screw on another nut going counter clockwise and make the nessaary adjustment for the slack and done deal.

[andy81563]

Yes, it is wrong and I feel quite foolish. Sorry for all this. What is strange is I talked to a BMW master mechanic friend of mine and he also said it was a left hand thread. I'm just glad it only stripped out the nut threads and not the pump shaft.

[andy81563]

When reinstalling intake camshaft sprocket on camshaft, does it matter what rotational orientation is the sprocket? Do those three little pins sticking out of the sprocket hubs have to be lined up with anything?

[JimLev]

When reinstalling intake camshaft sprocket on camshaft, does it matter what rotational orientation is the sprocket? Do those three little pins sticking out of the sprocket hubs have to be lined up with anything?

No and no.

[philly98540]

Put red threadlocker on that oil pump nut and be sure to use a proper low range torque wrench when installing the new nut.

[andy81563]

Everything back together and engine starts up. However, there is a slight backfire at idle and a few cylinder misfire codes are thrown. Is this an indication that timing is not right or does the engine management system take time to "relearn" the engine conditions?

[andy81563]

Codes are P0491, P1341, p1353, P1357. I am not getting any camshaft position codes, however. I will check coil packs.

[1999 540i m]

This is similar to your problem https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...light=joekitch

I hope it's not the same

[andy81563]

I do not think it's the same. My guide replacement and cam timing procedure went by the book, so to speak. I just got through checking cylinder compression to rule out any bent valve issues. Compression was in order 1-8, 190, 190, 195, 195, 160, 150, 170, 180. Rings are probably worn worse on cylinders 5 and 6, but I wouldn't think that would be the problem. What do you think?

[1999 540i m]

I do not think it's the same. My guide replacement and cam timing procedure went by the book, so to speak. I just got through checking cylinder compression to rule out any bent valve issues. Compression was in order 1-8, 190, 190, 195, 195, 160, 150, 170, 180. Rings are probably worn worse on cylinders 5 and 6, but I wouldn't think that would be the problem. What do you think?

Looks like a leakdown test is needed, the rings in these engines are not known to wear out, maybe oil those cylinders and retest

[andy81563]

I put oil in the two cylinders reading low and retested the compression. I got 210 on the one that read 160 before and 195 on the one that read 150. This car had been sitting for almost two years without being driven. Do you think I should drain out the fuel tank? That gasohol is sure to have absorbed a lot of water.

[JimLev]

2 years, probably would be good to drain it or at least drain some and see what it looks like compared to some fresh gas.

[andy81563]

Also going through and checking vacuum lines and electrical connectors. I do not get codes when the car is idling, only the pop-pop backfiring. When I put the engine under load is when I get codes. I could start swapping ignition coils around to see if they are culprits. However, there were no issues when I parked the car two years ago, so I would not suspect that to be an issue. I was very careful with the timing procedure, using the GAS tools as prescribed.

[JimLev]

What P codes are you getting and what are their definitions?
You'll get a quicker answer if you supply the definitions.

[andy81563]

Codes are P0491, P1341, p1353, P1357. I am not getting any camshaft position codes, however.
Drove again after clearing these and got only P1353 and P1357. Still backfiring and rough running, though.

[Mach540]

Two year old gas is certainly not doing you any favors. I'd at least top it off with some fresh stuff.

[JimLev]

Codes are P0491, P1341, p1353, P1357. I am not getting any camshaft position codes, however.
Drove again after clearing these and got only P1353 and P1357. Still backfiring and rough running, though.

Guess you didn't understand my last post.
You want us to look up all these codes?

[mebjr12]

Manny just curious if you completed your Timing Chain Guide job successfully.

[Mannyf540]

Manny just curious if you completed your Timing Chain Guide job successfully.

Negative,

I’m taking my time. I’m waiting on some additional parts from FCP.
Got a fan shroud, two coolant sensors, new tensioners, some orings, and the rear cover by the engine.... that thing was disintegrating and I sent my Vanos Units for service with Mr.DannyZ.

I hope to have it wrapped up sometime next week, it’s when I anticipate the remainder of my parts will arrive. I don’t wanna have to open the hood for a long time, other than for oil changes!! Lol

[mebjr12]

Negative,

I’m taking my time. I’m waiting on some additional parts from FCP.
Got a fan shroud, two coolant sensors, new tensioners, some orings, and the rear cover by the engine.... that thing was disintegrating and I sent my Vanos Units for service with Mr.DannyZ.

I hope to have it wrapped up sometime next week, it’s when I anticipate the remainder of my parts will arrive. I don’t wanna have to open the hood for a long time, other than for oil changes!! Lol

Looking forward to hearing how it went when everything is all done. I am considering buying a 540i6 that needs the guides done. So I have been reading a lot on the forum, and trying to see how everyone is turning out with all of the information that is available out there. Hopefully if I do decide to do this, I can avoid some of the issues that others have experienced.

[andy81563]

Jimlev, Sorry I didn’t read the comment completely. Yes, I know the codes I am getting are cylinder misfire and fuel cutoff codes. I also know the cause of this could be many things. In the past I have gotten these the result has been faulty ignition coils, which I would consequently replace. That could be the case now as well.

[ross1]

Backfiring at idle indicates to me that cam timing is off, sorry.

[andy81563]

I was getting P1351 and P1353, misfire on cylinders 5 and 6. I swapped coils with two other cylinders and still get same codes, so this eliminates a problem with the coils. I hear you ross1 on the cam timing. If that is the problem, what is involved with getting it right?

[Mannyf540]

Looking forward to hearing how it went when everything is all done. I am considering buying a 540i6 that needs the guides done. So I have been reading a lot on the forum, and trying to see how everyone is turning out with all of the information that is available out there. Hopefully if I do decide to do this, I can avoid some of the issues that others have experienced.

Absolutely,
I’ll be sure to post, once all is done.

It’s pretty straight forward, just time consuming.

[andy81563]

Since I have gotten nowhere with finding the source of the cylinder misfires and backfire at idle, I decided to go back and check timing. From this view of the exhaust cam on bank 2 with engine at TDC, it looks as if the timing is correct.DFA9AE3E-1A31-4A60-B1EF-B2B65011E3C8.jpg