How to see the timing marks

Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:51 am

Ok so I had the timing all lined up after the timing belt change. The auto electrician then adjusted it and it is running very flat with poor acceleration . With the timing belt cover back on, how do I see the marks on the pulleys to line them up again? It is an early 323i E30, with the dizzy on the side of the motor.

Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:54 am

On the early motor with the dizzy on the side it is VERY easy to put the belt on with a tooth or two out as it drives off of the oil pump drive. I did a You-tube video on it.

There is a mark on case at about 2-o-clock looking at it from the front and marks on the pulley for TDC and ignition.
The video does show the pulley at TDC rather than ignition but you get the idea as you can see both clearly on the video.

Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:23 am

Great video, but how do I see the crank and cam pulley markings now the pulley cover, fan etc are back on?

Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:56 pm

Easy. You can see the pulley from above past the alternator pulley as in the video, A mirror and small torch helps. I marked the pulley in white so it was easier to see.
If you can't see the pulley there must be something in the way from normal.

Check cam timing with pulley timing (cover off of course) and you will see the markings at 2-o-clock.
The timing for ignition is about 2" from the TDC mark, just pop off the dizzy cap and see if the rotor lines up with the body mark. (that's at TDC #1 not 180 degrees out)

Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:19 am

I intend to try the following. Put the car in neutral and turn the crank with a big spanner till the crank markings line up at TDC. Then loosen the dizzy and turn it till the arm points to the mark inside the dizzy. Am I on the right track?

Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:36 pm

xavier wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:19 am
I intend to try the following. Put the car in neutral and turn the crank with a big spanner till the crank markings line up at TDC. Then loosen the dizzy and turn it till the arm points to the mark inside the dizzy. Am I on the right track?

Close, but no coconut.
Turn the crank as said but to the TIMING MARK which is about 2" clockwise to TDC mark. (so TDC and turn crank ANT-clock to timing mark). with the cap OFF make sure the notch on the dizzy case is at 11-o-clock, (about) ,, number one lead should be facing engine. fit the rotor, if the rotor does not line up near the mark then you need to LIFT the rotor until it does and re fit clamp and bolt.
Finally line up two marks, clamp tight and fit cap.

Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:18 pm

Thanks. As a matter of interest, what does the Z on the vibration damper refer to?

Fri Oct 29, 2021 2:43 pm

Dunno, Anyone else know? It will be German for sure.

Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:37 pm

i have just been reading the 'pedia about changing the timing belt but it does not mention the early model with case mounted dizzy where it is very easy to install a new belt but move the oil pump / dizzy drive. is there any way of updating that or adding a M20B20 paragraph ?

Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:54 am

Ok I lined it all up as per the video. It ran ok till it got to operating temperature. Then the idle dropped down to an unhappy 300rpm and after sitting there for a while died. I think I have the dizzy pointing to TDC not idle. Is there a special mark on the damper for idle? TDC is the line between the O and the T? Is that correct?

Sat Oct 30, 2021 7:12 am

Which of these is the idle mark?

Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:50 pm

Z is the timing mark, Zeitmarke. You line that up with engine pointer and the two marks line up on the dizzy.

Sun Oct 31, 2021 7:29 am

Thanks Blanca. I climbed into my home made inspection pit this morning and used a white paint pen to label the marks on the damper. I followed your instructions and now it is all good. I also fine tuned the idle with the idle screw. Also fixing two vacuum leaks helped. Thanks again.

Sun Oct 31, 2021 2:13 pm

You are welcome.