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318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:30 pm
by ShepsEvo3
Hi all,
Aquired a nice-ish 318i with 15" BBS's with a cambelt snapped. What I want to know is anyone know if the valves would smack the pistons and is it worth putting a belt on to try?
I got the car for its wheels and thought I'd be scrapping the rest, but actually its not a
bad car and if it's just a belt change then it'll be worth the hassel. If it's a head off then its scrap time or 318is or 325i lump swop time.
Only off putting thing for me is its a 4dr.
Appreciate your comments

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:38 pm
by kam-325i
I am 99% sure the M40 is an interference engine.......
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:40 pm
by bmwowner
i changed my 318 m40 for another 318 m40 and had it running in 6 hours, and could of done it quicker, the only tricky bit about it is the bolt that holds the gear selector in place (only because i didnt remove the exhaust) that was doing it with axle stands and a engine hoist, 318i engines are dirt cheap for a good quiet one (£100ish) repairing the damage would work out a lot more...
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:51 pm
by ShepsEvo3
Ok guys, thanks! I guessed that would be the case, its worthy of a £15 belt, but not a £100 engine lol. Having said that, I have a couple of lumps laying about I may make use of.
Cheers!
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:18 am
by Jon_Bmw
4dr m40 = wheel donar.

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:38 am
by Brian28
Have done a couple Paul not usually any piston damage, couple of hours to swap the head is easiest if you have a spare kicking around. Have entered the is in a sprint there end of Sept so will try and give a shout across at lunchtime to say hello.
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:33 pm
by ShepsEvo3
Brian28 wrote:Have done a couple Paul not usually any piston damage, couple of hours to swap the head is easiest if you have a spare kicking around. Have entered the is in a sprint there end of Sept so will try and give a shout across at lunchtime to say hello.
Great! You don't have a spare head do ya? lol.
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:40 am
by Brian28
Have had a poke around in the garage, have one here that I've taken a valve or two out of that you're welcome to. I'll drop it in when I'm up if you're in no hurry.
Cheers
Brian
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:07 pm
by ShepsEvo3
Brian28 wrote:Have had a poke around in the garage, have one here that I've taken a valve or two out of that you're welcome to. I'll drop it in when I'm up if you're in no hurry.
Cheers
Brian
Ah ok mate, don't worry too much as I'm probably going to break it now... we'll see

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:07 pm
by Dave_M3
Friend of mine snapped his belt on his old 316i engine.
As it happend going in his driveway it might have been ok as sometimes they seem to escape doing major damage...
But the numpty turned the key again to see if it was "able to start"
He was being stubborn and I threw a belt on for him first (this was before he told me he tried starting it again) and there was probably more exhuast coming out the inlet than the back of the car when I was cranking it after timing it
Then he got a head for it so put that in.... which was tappy as fook!
Finally saw sence in the end and let me do a M42 conversion for him
Oh yeah... and
so we can decide if it's worth a proper engine

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:37 pm
by ShepsEvo3
LOL, thanks Dave,
To be fair, it aint worth putting pics up mate, its a 4 door! lol.
Took another good look at the car today, it's just not worth saving

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:30 pm
by Dave_M3
Awwww... poor E30.
Suppose a 4 door is only really worth saving if it comes attached to an M-tec kit...... unless can a nice Touring to put the kit onto
There's a Tec 2 four door 320i parked up somewhere near me... must see if the owner wants me to take it away sometime and there's a M20 525i Auto there too which might be worth an engine and a 4.45 diff

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:16 pm
by ShepsEvo3
I know what you're saying, although I have been contemplating getting a touring customised into a 2 door and fitting the M3 kit, I rekon that'll look a stunner.

Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:00 pm
by u_lift_u_lose
ShepsEvo3 wrote:I know what you're saying, although I have been contemplating getting a touring customised into a 2 door and fitting the M3 kit, I rekon that'll look a stunner.

Thats just what i'm thinking about at the mo, got an old 318 been stood awhile with full kit all be it fibreglass, & have just been offered a tourer, Could be fun...............
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:01 pm
by Dave_M3
ShepsEvo3 wrote:I know what you're saying, although I have been contemplating getting a touring customised into a 2 door and fitting the M3 kit, I rekon that'll look a stunner.

Can you get a touring that looks any more
Shame it only had an M30b35 though...
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:17 am
by ShepsEvo3
Yeah that is noce, but it is still a more door! lol.
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:27 am
by Dave_M3
Touring more-doors are socially acceptable though not to mention a well done M3 version:D
Re: 318i cambelt snapped.
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:22 am
by ShepsEvo3
Dave_M3 wrote:Touring more-doors are socially acceptable though not to mention a well done M3 version:D
Aye, there is that. Where is the thread for the red M3 touring which was on the home page of the old style zone site? That one rocked!