m10 timing chain adjustment

[jordan541e30]

Hey m10 folks my car has been running very bad to the point that I can't drive it a mechanic told me it needs a timing chain adjustment and he isn't following through with doing it for $600. I'm to the point to where I'm going to do it myself if someone could please give me details on how to do this? If anyone has done this it would be very very appreciated if you could tell me how to do it/ what lines up with what. Thanks Jordan.

[kronus]

the timing chain is not "adjustable", that mechanic is out to screw you

the valves are adjustable and should not cost 600 to do. you can do them yourself.

the timing chain does have a tensioner and some guide rails, they might affect timing as they wear.

[thebutterson]

Maybe the timing chain tensioner went bad? If so that's a very easy fix, not sure about the cost of parts though.

[jordan541e30]

I recently replaced the head gasket, half way through tearing apart I had to relocate could the chain have slipped a couple teeth off of time? And if so could this cause my car not to run correctly at all?

[jordan541e30]

And I just recently adjusted the valves to .008

[bmwman91]

If the cam/crank moved relative to one another, then yes the car will run very very poorly, if at all. Has it run this badly since the first start after the head job?

[jordan541e30]

It started immediately after the head job ran somewhat perfect before

[Jaxx_]

If the head was shaved the timing of the chain would be out of adjustment. edit for clarification: The valve train would be out of time compared to the bottom end. this usually isn't a huge deal, but it can be a factor. There are head timing wheels to bring it back (I believe advance).

either way, the process for all this probably shouldn't add up to $600. It's possible, but probably not, even for the most expensive mechanic.

[jordan541e30]

The head wasn't shaved but inspected for warp and cracks.

[TobyB]

Here's the definitive way to check.
Rotate the crank until the mark on the cam is straight up. It's a bit tricky to see-
use a mirror and a light...

If you can see down the timing window, you should see a T or similar mark on the flywheel. Rock it backwards and forwards a few degrees...

That never seems to work for me, though, so the other way to TDC the crank is to put a
small plastic rod through the spark plug hole, and feel as you rotate the crank.
Get the piston right to the top, and rock the crank back and forward 'till you get
a pretty good feel for it, then stop at the center.

The line on the cam should now be right at the straight up point.

hth

t

[thebutterson]

Here's the definitive way to check.
If you can see down the timing window, you should see a T or similar mark on the flywheel. Rock it backwards and forwards a few degrees...

You should also have a timing mark on the crank pulley that lines up with a dowel on the timing chain cover.

[TobyB]

...not everyone does, I know not why. Sometimes, too, the 'T' is not there.

frikkin' BMW.....

heh

t

[SkiFree]

...not everyone does, I know not why. Sometimes, too, the 'T' is not there.

frikkin' BMW.....

heh

t

Toby sometimes I like you bunches, other times I want to kick you in the balls. Stop toying with my heart.