camshaft timing marker?

[azndeugene]

all the write ups i have seen show either a camshaft timing marker on the toothed pulley or an arrow within it

here are some photos of what i see:






am i simply blind? or is there a different way to tell whether 1 or 6 cylinder are at tdc?

fyi: the crank is at tdc according to its markers

[Cabriolet]

i would replace that cam and the intermediate shaft pulley. those pressed ones are known to fail.

i would set the crank to TDC and mark the tooth on the cam, that ligns up the with the head. then swap the belt, if you need to get it running. otherwise replace the cam and IMS pulleys.

[digger]

where it should be lol



based on the OP you are 360* out on the crank or 180* on cam from TDC No1 compression

[101]

i would replace that cam and the intermediate shaft pulley. those pressed ones are known to fail.

i would set the crank to TDC and mark the tooth on the cam, that ligns up the with the head. then swap the belt, if you need to get it running. otherwise replace the cam and IMS pulleys.

^^^ what he said. Get those stamped gears off of that engine pronto!

[azndeugene]

i would replace that cam and the intermediate shaft pulley. those pressed ones are known to fail.

i would set the crank to TDC and mark the tooth on the cam, that ligns up the with the head. then swap the belt, if you need to get it running. otherwise replace the cam and IMS pulleys.

is the cam pulley easy to remove and still maintain everything "in time?" Sorry for a lame question, first time doing this.

with a quick cursory search I could not find a cam pulley or ims pulley? pelican did not come up with a search

some other searches seem to imply ill need face seals too. any more insight would be appreciated!

[jeffnhiscars]

You can loosen th bolt holding the gears in place before you remove the timing belt. Then realign the marks, loosen the tensioner and slide the belt off. From there you can remove and replace both gears without anything rotating. I put the old belt back on temporarily to tighten the bolts, then put your new belt/tnsioner in

[azndeugene]

You can loosen th bolt holding the gears in place before you remove the timing belt. Then realign the marks, loosen the tensioner and slide the belt off. From there you can remove and replace both gears without anything rotating. I put the old belt back on temporarily to tighten the bolts, then put your new belt/tnsioner in

Sounds straightforward enough. Thanks!

Autohausaz says "For models with production date through 12/1986 may also require adapter, cover, and lock bolt if not previously updated. These additional parts are only available through BMW" for the camshaft timing gear. Mine is an 86 and just want verify that this is true?

[jeffnhiscars]

Check your VIN on realoem to confirm which parts your car will need. I've never seen a need for those spacers on a N Am car but I think have a set that came with my 731 head if you need them and can't get them

[jeffw]

Is it possible to put the pulley on backwards creating the no mark issue? Mine is the same way and has no tdc marking. I had to do mine by pulling the valve cover to find tdc

[jeffnhiscars]

Is it possible to put the pulley on backwards creating the no mark issue? Mine is the same way and has no tdc marking. I had to do mine by pulling the valve cover to find tdc

There's a dowel pin on the end of the cam that locks in to a hole on the stamped pulley and a recess on the sintered (new) pulley. It's impossible to put them on backwards.

[esg]

mine is the same way. is this on all non badged i/e 325's? I have a 1987 325 and i have the same thing. doing my first timing belt job and this is making it more difficult than ever for me. can anyone help me and point me in the right direction? would highly appreciate it.
sorry to bring up an old post

[digger]

mine is the same way. is this on all non badged i/e 325's? I have a 1987 325 and i have the same thing. doing my first timing belt job and this is making it more difficult than ever for me. can anyone help me and point me in the right direction? would highly appreciate it.
sorry to bring up an old post

just buy the new explosion proof cam gear 11311714988 and line the dots up.

as currently assembled with timing belt on and tensioned rotate crank to tdc mark on crank gear.

make sure the 3 pointed rotor adapter on end of cam is point up (~11 o'clock). if its pointing down at ~5 o'clock then do 1 more rotation of crank until it lines up again

loosen cam bolt with old belt still on as its easier to keep engine from spinning (never rotate cam without timing belt on)

replace the old cam gear with new one (and cam seal/o-ring if required) and the cam dots should also be at TDC just like the crank marks

just nip up the cam gear bolt so it seats properly but make sure you dont torque it so it accidentally rotate the cam (keeping spark plugs in helps)

install belt and properly torque cam bolt once the belt is in place to keep them in phase

continue with timing belt procedure