M40 Timing Belt : Old and New ?!

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elvirbgd
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:34 pm

Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:38 pm

Hello E30 fans!

Last days I noticed that original timing belt which was built-in E30 M40 engine had width 19 mm. But when you check in EPC timing belt for BMW E36 M40 model, width was 20,7 mm. That "newer" timing belt you can fit on E30 M40 model also. My question is : Is it possible that BMW made some kind of modification of timing belt during the E36 era ? Because of problem with often break of timing belt on M40 engines.

Cheers!
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martauto
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Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:00 pm
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Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:52 pm

elvirbgd wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:38 pm
Hello E30 fans!

Last days I noticed that original timing belt which was built-in E30 M40 engine had width 19 mm. But when you check in EPC timing belt for BMW E36 M40 model, width was 20,7 mm. That "newer" timing belt you can fit on E30 M40 model also. My question is : Is it possible that BMW made some kind of modification of timing belt during the E36 era ? Because of problem with often break of timing belt on M40 engines.

Cheers!
Welcome to the zone mate and you MUST talk to the guy`s at Cotswold on here and the timing belt will only break if the car has not been looked after winkeye

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
rix313
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Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:10 pm

ECP isn't the greatest so I wouldn't read too much into their measurements. I can't see how making it 1.7mm wider would really change much in terms of longevity.
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