Hi,
New to the BMW E30 thing and I want to know when a timing chain should be replaced on an E30 M3. i know it has to be done at 100000 miles but is there any specific age when it should be done if the car has not got to the 100k mark?
Ta
Quick E30 M3 Timing Chain question
Moderator: martauto
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Hap
- E30 Zone Camper
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- Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
its supposed to be around 100K if chain is noisy, if so the it is due to worn tensioner and the chain will be jumping about which will wear teeth out. e36 m3 tensioner is supposed be quick fix but if chain snaps then looking at Ԛ£2k job.
im not an M3 owner im sure someone with more knowledge will add top this
hap
im not an M3 owner im sure someone with more knowledge will add top this
hap
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okadas_cat
- E30 Zone Newbie
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- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
There's a big debate about this. Some say timing chain has to be done at 100,000 miles. However, the rumour is that this was put about by one of the well known repair shops to drum up business: it's v costly to do.
Others insist that timing chain doesn't need doing, as long as you do the tensioner thing. This seems to be the view in America. I don't think they replace the chain there.
Look on www.s14.net They're good for technical stuff
Others insist that timing chain doesn't need doing, as long as you do the tensioner thing. This seems to be the view in America. I don't think they replace the chain there.
Look on www.s14.net They're good for technical stuff
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Simon
- E30 Zone Team Member
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It's a load of crap, as okadas said, there's a well known BMW specialist that like telling owners if it's not done by 101001k it will snap.
Take a read of this on the BMWCC forum..
http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_ ... =5103&PN=1
Take a read of this on the BMWCC forum..
http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_ ... =5103&PN=1
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M3RAGS
- E30 Zone Regular
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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: South London
ah, the good old chain debate.
It all started from the single bmw chains snapping...the e30 m3 is a duplex chain so it will not snap.
However, there can be wear on the sprockets and in this instance, a replacement chain AND sprockets is necessary.
But, there is not set mileage that a chain should be replaced on or a set mileage that wear may occur. It is all about how the car has been treated, number of oil changes etc
I know of an m3 on its orginal chain, with 160kmiles that is as quiet as anything and a car on 56kmiles which sounds like a bag of spanners on start up.
Chains can jump teeth though.
Best bet is to buy a car that is not rattly on start up and fit an e36 tensioner for piece of mind.
Thats what I have done and my engine is reputed to be one of the quietest around.
It all started from the single bmw chains snapping...the e30 m3 is a duplex chain so it will not snap.
However, there can be wear on the sprockets and in this instance, a replacement chain AND sprockets is necessary.
But, there is not set mileage that a chain should be replaced on or a set mileage that wear may occur. It is all about how the car has been treated, number of oil changes etc
I know of an m3 on its orginal chain, with 160kmiles that is as quiet as anything and a car on 56kmiles which sounds like a bag of spanners on start up.
Chains can jump teeth though.
Best bet is to buy a car that is not rattly on start up and fit an e36 tensioner for piece of mind.
Thats what I have done and my engine is reputed to be one of the quietest around.
Sideways S14
