Hello
I'm a guy who is located in Denmark, Europe
I bought my first E30 for about 5days ago, and the car needs to go to the MOT before 1. juli
I began to repair the rust in it, I'm working as a mechanic
The rust repair could be much better, but I really trying do my best.
I have read a lot about the BMW M40 316I engine
and many people says, that the camshaft and the oil spray bar/and the lower pump in the sump is very sensitive.
Along with the timing belt, that it need to be changed every 3 years or 25 to 40.000 km is it true?
What can I do so the heart in this car can live as long as it can, without rebuilding it sooner or later?
I know the mainly maintaince with change the Oil and flushes
(The coolant flush/brakeflushes/Servo/ATF Oil changes)
Best regards the mechanic from Denmark
E30 316I Touring engine/first E30 ever
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Camshaft/oil spray bar only give problems if oil changes are badly neglected, and I know of no problems regarding the oil pump (which is on the crank, not in the sump).
Don't confuse cam wear with failing hydraulic tappets. These have a very limited life, however well they are looked after, but even when they fail, it's just the loud tapping noise (especially at idle) that you have to tolerate. Doesn't really affect performance or cause further damage.
Sump bolts can work loose, including the ones for the upper sump that can only be accessed by removing the lower sump. It's very common to find one or more of these lying in the bottom of the lower sump. You can often see one through the sump plug hole when draining the oil.
Official cam belt changing interval is 100,000 km, but I'd half that to be safe. On a time basis, every five years or so will be absolutely fine. Don't know where you got 3 years and 25,000 km from (US site?) - those intervals are ridiculously short.
Don't confuse cam wear with failing hydraulic tappets. These have a very limited life, however well they are looked after, but even when they fail, it's just the loud tapping noise (especially at idle) that you have to tolerate. Doesn't really affect performance or cause further damage.
Sump bolts can work loose, including the ones for the upper sump that can only be accessed by removing the lower sump. It's very common to find one or more of these lying in the bottom of the lower sump. You can often see one through the sump plug hole when draining the oil.
Official cam belt changing interval is 100,000 km, but I'd half that to be safe. On a time basis, every five years or so will be absolutely fine. Don't know where you got 3 years and 25,000 km from (US site?) - those intervals are ridiculously short.
TO: Brianmoooore
Thank you very much for the response.
The guy I bought the car of said he got changed the camshaft one time, because it was "loud" he didn't mention the hydraulic tappets ever,but I think he cared about the car, because he had the car in 4 he toll me, and said he never had a better car.
I will change the motor oil before i'm going to drive the car for 80km per day.
Mh, so it will not be a bad idea and take down the bottom cart and or tighten the bolts to the oil sump.
I think, I will try and do it one time or later, when I have time free from the rust repair, and the car is runing again. I will see if I can find a guide somewhere
Yes, it was at a US site I read that with the 25.000 km. My first thought was exactly that it was very very low mileage for a timing belt. I changed on others cars for every 120.000 or 5 years(Costumer cars) and of course it's very different on car to car.
Thank you very much for the response.
The guy I bought the car of said he got changed the camshaft one time, because it was "loud" he didn't mention the hydraulic tappets ever,but I think he cared about the car, because he had the car in 4 he toll me, and said he never had a better car.
I will change the motor oil before i'm going to drive the car for 80km per day.
Mh, so it will not be a bad idea and take down the bottom cart and or tighten the bolts to the oil sump.
I think, I will try and do it one time or later, when I have time free from the rust repair, and the car is runing again. I will see if I can find a guide somewhere
Yes, it was at a US site I read that with the 25.000 km. My first thought was exactly that it was very very low mileage for a timing belt. I changed on others cars for every 120.000 or 5 years(Costumer cars) and of course it's very different on car to car.