Top Dead Center HELP

[PCasil]

Since S14.net has been out of service for the past two weeks, I might as ask my questions here.

I'm trying to change the head gasket of my E30 M3 and I noticed, today, the metal point that points to the line on the crank pulley to signify it's on top dead center (TDC) is a bit off. I must've moved the timing chain a bit that caused it to move a bit. Keep in mind I still have the cylinder head on. So my question is: Is it still possible to set my crankshaft at TDC before I remove my cylinder head? I'm a bit worried because it's not precisely at TDC because I haven't removed the cylinder head yet and it's supposed to be exactly at TDC by the time the cylinder head is removed. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

P.S. I'm following the directions based on the KoalaMotorsports manual as well as the factory manual.

-PCASIL

[reno808]

Remember their is 2 top center. Make sure its on the compression stroke so the intake valve will be open. stick a long extension in the spark plug hole and make sure its at highest point....

[PCasil]

Remember their is 2 top center. Make sure its on the compression stroke so the intake valve will be open. stick a long extension in the spark plug hole and make sure its at highest point....

http://youtu.be/-g6TDAbySrA

Please take a look at my video..

[PCasil]

Bump..Anybody?

[spdracrm3]

your ok

your fine to move it that tiny bit to the line pistons will barely move if at all as its so close to TDC, you probably find when re-installing it will move as you put things together, you just need to make sure marks are good with chain tight.
it takes a lot of movement to get to a piston/valve contact point and if you are moving things by hand you would feel it stop and so wouldnt keep turning it past that point..

[SamE30e]

You're fine. Lift it off.

You just need to be careful when putting it on.

[reelizmpro]

Yes u can but doesn't have to be at tdc before removal. I'm guessing they advise it to make things easier when reinstalling? Not sure. It's easiest to find tdc with the head off.

[PCasil]

your fine to move it that tiny bit to the line pistons will barely move if at all as its so close to TDC, you probably find when re-installing it will move as you put things together, you just need to make sure marks are good with chain tight.
it takes a lot of movement to get to a piston/valve contact point and if you are moving things by hand you would feel it stop and so wouldnt keep turning it past that point..

You're fine. Lift it off.

You just need to be careful when putting it on.

Yes u can but doesn't have to be at tdc before removal. I'm guessing they advise it to make things easier when reinstalling? Not sure. It's easiest to find tdc with the head off.

Thanks guys! I'll take a shot of removing the head in a few days and have it sent to the shop to get it resurfaced.

-PCasil

[PCasil]

Today I got the chance to remove my cylinder head before I headed to work, and this is what I found. Carbon deposits on top of the cylinders.

So my question is, is this normal? And how can I remove the carbon deposits on top of the pistons without disassembling the pistons? I bought engine degreaser but I'm not really sure if the safest bet without your guys' approval first. Any recommendations on how to safely remove and clean the top of the cylinders?

-PCasil

[reelizmpro]

Yes, to a degree. Mechanics will typically clean them up with a wire wheel.

[PCasil]

Yes, to a degree. Mechanics will typically clean them up with a wire wheel.

Should I keep it on, or should I remove it? I'm hearing a lot of mixed reviews regarding to keep it on or removing it..

[reno808]

Easy off the oven cleaning product works REALLY well make sure you clean up after it really well and your good to go

[uturn]

shiny pistons

I use brake cleaner, wooden dowels(aka chopsticks) and buckets of elbow grease!

[PCasil]

Easy off the oven cleaning product works REALLY well make sure you clean up after it really well and your good to go

I use brake cleaner, wooden dowels(aka chopsticks) and buckets of elbow grease!

Thanks for your input guys. I'll try to get it cleaned by tonight

-PCasil

[PCasil]

What do you guys think? Clean?