Timing chain question - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bmwm5lover · 4th February 2009, 17:44

hey guys,
well, I will be getting the tensioner upgrade done on the S38b36, and I was curious if I should bother with having the chain changed? It is about 100$ for the part, so it is really not a problem to hav it replaced "while you are in there", however if it is completely pointless, I'd rather spend that 100$ on something else.

When doing the tensioner, do you hjave access to the chain, or is it not that simple?

Mmm-Five · 4th February 2009, 17:51

You're not 'in there' when doing the tensioner.

The tensioner is a 'take old one out, fit new one' 30 minute job

The chain is probably a 'strip off top engine cover, remove chain with care, remove old guides, put new guides & chain on with more care, check nothing's moved while you've been doing it' 4 hour job.

bmwm5lover · 4th February 2009, 18:01

Just the kind of response I was looking for. Thank you.

Now, do I have it done, or not?

davidoli · 4th February 2009, 22:41

I wouldn't bother unless you are having an engine rebuild at the same time .

These are duplex / twin chained engines and chain replacement was never a BMW servicable item .

D

DCN M5 · 4th February 2009, 23:20

Just curious as to who you are using in the Greater Toronto Area to do this?

Cheers,

DCN M5

1991 E34 M5
1988 911

bmwm5lover · 5th February 2009, 21:57

It will be either Bimmersport or Autotrend(a new to me shop that is highly recommended by another board member). Whoever is cheaper will get the work.

Thanks Davidoli, what I was looking for.

DCN M5 · 5th February 2009, 23:20

I have been very pleased with the work done at Bimmersport. Charlie is honest and experienced.

DCN

Dragonsi · 6th February 2009, 06:26

i remember reading that you shouldn't change the timing chain if you're upgrading the tensioner...something about maintaining the amount of slack in the chain

Matrixcode · 13th February 2009, 04:32

I'm doing my engine rebuild also but I'm not going to change the chain

DrSakke · 13th February 2009, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonsi

i remember reading that you shouldn't change the timing chain if you're upgrading the tensioner...something about maintaining the amount of slack in the chain

Well, you should be doing some more reading then. It can never be wrong to change the old chain/guides etc if you are upgrading the tensioner.
It is the opposite. It can be plain wrong to mix old and new components, it is then you can possibly mask an impending failure of other parts or in the case of the timing chain-the new tensioner can`t compensate the stretch in the chain if the chain is badly worn/stretched.
So you should check the condition of the old chain while upgrading the tensioner.

Sakke