318i cambelt snapped.

[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

[kam-325i]

I am 99% sure the M40 is an interference engine.......

[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...

[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!

[Jon_Bmw]

4dr m40 = wheel donar.

[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.

[ShepsEvo3]

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.

[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

[ShepsEvo3]

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

[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

[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

[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

[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.

[u_lift_u_lose]

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...............

[Dave_M3]

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...

[ShepsEvo3]

Yeah that is noce, but it is still a more door! lol.

[Dave_M3]

Touring more-doors are socially acceptable though not to mention a well done M3 version:D

[ShepsEvo3]

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!