Timing chains and belt tensioners?

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  • madjurgen
    E30 Fanatic
    • May 2005
    • 1203
    #1

    Timing chains and belt tensioners?

    How many of you replaced the timing chain on your 24v? I'm switching to a OBD1 timing cover and putting different cams in, so I dont think it wouldnt be any additional work. Is this a no-brainer do-it-while-youre-in-there type thing? 80k on the motor.

    Same question/concern for the belt tensioners? Any way to test these for proper functionality? What happens if these go bad? Squeaky belts or worse?

    As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
    You don’t want this. You want the trickiest, most dangerous, oldest model you can find. Only then can you prove to the world that you’re a man.
    Tags: None
    • e30serg
      E30 Addict
      • Dec 2006
      • 562
      #2
      It shouldn't be a big deal at all to change them. If the tensioner goes bad, at best, you'll get a noisy chain. At worst, the loose chain will jump a tooth.

        Comment

        • smonkbmw
          Professor
          • Jun 2006
          • 4549
          #3
          id say if youre going to do the chain, maybe a new VANOS? wouldnt hurt. as far as the tensioner goes, its just a real PITA to replace if the motor is in the car and everything is on already. gotta remove a lot of crap to get to it easily.

            Comment

            • madjurgen
              E30 Fanatic
              • May 2005
              • 1203
              #4
              Originally posted by e30serg
              It shouldn't be a big deal at all to change them. If the tensioner goes bad, at best, you'll get a noisy chain. At worst, the loose chain will jump a tooth.
              Im talking about the belt tensioners, not the timing chain tensioner. One for the water pump/alternator belt and one for the ac compressor belt.

              I guess if I change the timing chain, I might as well do the tensioner too. I really dont want to spring for a new Vanos, at least not now.

              As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
              You don’t want this. You want the trickiest, most dangerous, oldest model you can find. Only then can you prove to the world that you’re a man.

                Comment

                • e30serg
                  E30 Addict
                  • Dec 2006
                  • 562
                  #5
                  Oops. I guess the belts could start slipping and squealing if the tensioners go out.

                  I'm changing all the timing chain tensioners since my motor had 144k before I took it apart. Hell, I'm changing all the wearable parts anyway.

                    Comment

                    • madjurgen
                      E30 Fanatic
                      • May 2005
                      • 1203
                      #6
                      Originally posted by e30serg
                      Hell, I'm changing all the wearable parts anyway.
                      Yeah thats what Ive been doing so far. I had just stupidly dismissed all the timing components. Oh well, whats another 400$. I like to beat on my motor regularly so I guess I shouldnt skimp on arguably the most important system on the motor. Though I think I will skip out on the belt tensioners. Those dont seem to have drastic consequences if they go bad and theyre easy to replace.

                      As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
                      You don’t want this. You want the trickiest, most dangerous, oldest model you can find. Only then can you prove to the world that you’re a man.

                        Comment

                        • e30serg
                          E30 Addict
                          • Dec 2006
                          • 562
                          #7
                          Are you also planning on changing all the sprockets? They tend to wear with the chain. Don't forget to change the guides too, they're made of plastic and could be a little brittle.

                            Comment

                            • golde30
                              R3V OG
                              • Nov 2003
                              • 11464
                              #8
                              sprockets are only going to be worn if the engine was abused. just look at them while you have the motor apart. i didnt even change my timing chain, it looked fine, as well as the sprockets. just change all the tensioners/guide rails.
                              IG: @Baye30

                              FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

                                Comment

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