Help! I'm having trouble installing a new timing chain.

[vegaskyle]

I'm installing new timing chain components today. I got everything in and am at the step in the Bentley manuel where you tighten the crank bolt, remove the flywheel locking tool and turn it over by hand.

Here is the problem. I took out the tool and I still cant get it to move. It's like the tool is still in there. The crank bolt won't move an inch.

What could be causing this?

Thanks for the help.

[Dj Buttchug]

what engine?

[vegaskyle]

what engine?

m42

[KenC]

Is your cam lock tool still on?

Something is caught... don't force it. Make sure your timing is correct bc it's an interference motor.

[vegaskyle]

Is your cam lock tool still on?

Something is caught... don't force it. Make sure your timing is correct bc it's an interference motor.

no, cams are free. It's at TDC, I can put in and take out the flywheel pin. I can't think what it could be.

[vegaskyle]

I was able to move it just fine at the beginning when I was finding TDC.

[Dj Buttchug]

did you remove the lower timing cover and check to make sure the timing chain didnt get stuck between the lower guide and the crank gear. ??


if you let up tension on the chain itll drop and get caught sometimes.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_4367&hg=11&fg=25

between number 2 and 7

[Dj Buttchug]

also make sure your cams are positioned correctly. this means both arrows on cam gears pointing straight up and cam lobs on number 1 cylinder facing each other at a 45 degree angle

[vegaskyle]

did you remove the lower timing cover and check to make sure the timing chain didnt get stuck between the lower guide and the crank gear. ??


if you let up tension on the chain itll drop and get caught sometimes.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_4367&hg=11&fg=25

between number 2 and 7

I'll give this a shot. I was sure it was fine before I put the cover on but I'm willing to try anything at this point.

The cams are just as you describe.

[KenC]

Is the car in gear? ;)

[vegaskyle]

Is the car in gear? ;)

I wish it was that.

[Dj Buttchug]

check the lower timing case. sometimes itll get jammed up in the guides too. It happened to me several times when I was building my engine.

If it ends up checking out there I honestly have no idea... :(

[vegaskyle]

check the lower timing case. sometimes itll get jammed up in the guides too. It happened to me several times when I was building my engine.

If it ends up checking out there I honestly have no idea... :(

I don't think I have a choice but to tear down the whole thing and start over. How does the case get jammed up in the guides? I figured with the locating dowels it would stay clear of the guides and chain.

The plug on the bell housing was missing and I thought maybe something got jammed into the flywheel when I locked it. That theory went out the window because the first time I locked the flywheel it was 180* off TDC and I had no problem turning it after that.

If the chain on the bottom guide was the problem wouldn't it give a little? Right now it feels just like it is still locked. It doesn't budge.

Thanks for the help.

[Dj Buttchug]

its possible it would give some. the only other thing i can think of is that your off time and a valve has come in contact with a piston not allowing the motor to crank over.

from my experience the chain would get caught in between teeth and would bind up.

its gotta be one of three things.

flywheel jammed somehow (which you checked already)
so far out of time that the valve train is touching a piston.
jammed up timing chain

did you remove the cam gears from the cams or did you remove the cams with the gears all as one piece??

[vegaskyle]

flywheel jammed somehow (which you checked already)
so far out of time that the valve train is touching a piston.
jammed up timing chain

did you remove the cam gears from the cams or did you remove the cams with the gears all as one piece??

I just took the gears off the cams (followed the e36 bentley). I can't see how its out of time. The arrows point up, the lobes point at each other, the squares at the back are dead parallel to each other. I marked the gears and bolts and put everything back as it was.

I'll pull the bottom cover and see whats what. I sure don't want to deal with the AC compressor and bracket again. If I didn't live in vegas I'd toss that thing.

The only other thing is the flywheel. Is there any way to see if something is binding?

I appreciate all your help.