kill me. let this just be a bad timing issue

[bmwlover0725]

I hope this is my issue. If it is, then kill me because I've spent so much money on other parts. If it isn't, kill me because I took all of this apart for nothing.

My question is: Is my timing off or on? I just want to be sure. The timing was off at one point so I had to put it one tooth ahead when I did my belt change, but I think I may have turned it two teeth ahead because it has the same feel as it did when it was one tooth off.

The other reason I'm questioning it is because it looks like the O/T mark is not correct and when I remove that pulley, the gear on the crankshaft does not look lined up with the notch that it is supposed to be with. The camshaft gear was perfectly on TDC when I took these pictures so if something is off, it must be this... right? Also, once I turn the crankshaft back one tooth and reinstall the belt, everything including O/T and TDC all line up perfectly. I'm buying a new belt tomorrow when I put it back together.

[yert315]

cant tell from those pictures. You need to line up the OlT mark with the mark you see on the lower timing chain cover. You also have to line up the mark on the cam gear with the mark on the head. If both line up, your timing is correct

[Liam]

Off one tooth (about 14 degrees).

[BsoE30]

What if you removed your Cap, pulled your plugs and turned the crank pulley until your at TDC to see if the rotor is pointing to the #1 cyl? Position a flat head into one of the spark plug cylinders #1, and turn the crank until #1 piston hits the flathead..becareful and go slow.... Will this determine if timing is correct?

[bmwlover0725]

Well I highlighted a set of pictures to make sure. I need to turn it one tooth back so that the marks line up?

[Liam]

It's off by a tooth the V notch should straddle that line, makes perfect sense that the dampener is off. 1 tooth it runs like crap 2 teeth it runs like crap for good (at least until you replace the bent valves).

[bmwlover0725]

alright thanks so much!

[nando]

Off one tooth (about 14 degrees).

where did you pull the number 14 degrees from? 1 tooth on the cam belt is about 3.5 degrees, not 14...

[Dillinger]

where did you pull the number 14 degrees from? 1 tooth on the cam belt is about 3.5 degrees, not 14...

That would make it 7 degrees on the crank wouldn't it?

[nando]

That would make it 7 degrees on the crank wouldn't it?

right...:oops:

[Dillinger]

right...:oops:

7 is still not 14 though but the error makes more sense anyway maybe they bend the valves at 14 (at 7 2 teeth = 14 degrees).

[nando]

7 is still not 14 though but the error makes more sense anyway maybe they bend the valves at 14 (at 7 2 teeth = 14 degrees).

yeah still doesn't make sense, but somebody mentioned 2 teeth at the cam which could be about 14 at the crank. His engine should be dead though if it were that far off, the valve clearance on these engines isn't a whole lot. I had 1mm with stock pistons and a schrick 284 at TDC, not exactly confidence inspiring. :)

[bmwlover0725]

Well I'm glad it was only one tooth off. I'm really not in the mood to change a head especially since I'm rebuilding another M20 to put into this over the summer.

I just got it all back together. All I have to do now is go to my dealer and get some BMW blue, bleed my thermostat, and put my hood back on

oh yeah, and go drive the hell out of it:hitler:

[bmwlover0725]

all finished. what a huge difference. it runs better than it ever did because I replaced SO many parts while trying to solve the problem. thanks for all the help!

[xcmorgan50]

what are some symptoms of a bad timing issue??