Timing chain replacement 3.8 l - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Bruce S · 9th October 2001, 19:44

Can anyone offer any advice with regards to timing belt changes. My understanding is that it is basically an engine out job at substantial cost even through a specialist like Birds or Munich Legends. I have been offered an alternative my a decent specialist in the form of a two piece chain set German (same people that make the one piece for BMW?) and that they can wind it on by removing the cams.I know that they have done this for another owner as I saw the magazine article about it. Anyone know if this is a good / terrible idea or have any alternative suggestions .
Thanks
Bruce

mikek · 9th October 2001, 22:55

Hi,
The only problem is that when the chain needs changing(usually above 200,000 miles due to it being a duplex-twin-chain)the drive sprockets usually are as equally worn, so too is the tensioner and runners. You can change it be the method that you state by drawing the chain through attached to the old one, but i wouldn`t rely on the rest of the stuff being ok..I would rather fork out for the proper job, and while the engine is out the other niggly problems i.e. oil leaks etc can be sorted..well good luck..

P.s how many mile has your car done????

Regards

Mike K

Bruce S · 10th October 2001, 11:30

Mike
Thanks for the reply.
The car has done 106,000 miles and has been very well maintained. I have had it since feb of this year through Birds.It looks like from your previous post that I am being a bit overzealous by thinking I need the timing chain done for the moment.

Alan Archer · 10th October 2001, 12:21

Just to add....

I've been told that the hydraulic tesioners can leak & cause a lack of tension/rattling, and that the cure is a relatively cheap & easy fix.

This sounds more likely if, as you say the car has been maintained well & not neglected.

There is usually a small amount of oil present on the left side of the engine around the air pump area so i'm told...

Hope this sheds some light for you.

Regards,

Alan Archer

Andy G · 11th October 2001, 12:27

The way I understand it is that the E30 M3 needed it's timing chain replacing at around 100k, the later M3 and M5's (6 cyl units) are good, as has been said, for around the 200k mark (dependent on mainteneca etc).
I asked about this when I purchased my E36 M3, and was told to budget for it around this mileage mark.