M42 timing components: 266k and counting

[Ryann]

Thought you guys might find this interesting. These are the original cam gears as we found them in my father-in-law's '91 318i with 266,000 miles on them. Also found behind the upper and lower covers were all of the original guides, intact and showing some wear although not much more than mine at 125k. The tensioner piston has at some point in the past been updated, perhaps the reason all the timing components are still in good shape after all those miles.

[bmwm42]

Nice those look like mine similar mileage close to 300k

[Ryann]

^Awesome. How many DESTROYED m42 timing sets have we seen w/200k+? I'm thinking those cars have racked up some serious miles with a faulty original tensioner.

[bmwm42]

^Awesome. How many DESTROYED m42 timing sets have we seen w/200k+? I'm thinking those cars have racked up some serious miles with a faulty original tensioner.

X10 major important upgrade and maintenance part of the m42

[MikeDE]

X10 major important upgrade and maintenance part of the m42

That and regular oil changes.....

[KenC]

^awesome. How many destroyed m42 timing sets have we seen w/200k+? I'm thinking those cars have racked up some serious miles with a faulty original tensioner.

exactly.

[bflan2001]

i just pulled my timing cover at 191k and my sprockets look like hell compared to yours...i don't know the maintenance history, just picked the engine up a couple months ago.

[KenC]

I'd replace those, the chain, and the guides.

[Simon S]

Holy. Fuckin. Shit.
Wow.

Thank you. Shit like THIS - is why I am so avid about PREVENTATIVE maintenance.

Always such a shame when shit is neglected..

[Ryann]

It'd be cool if we could compile some pics of m42 cam gears/odometer readings.

[Simon S]

Mine at 136K miles..

[bflan2001]

yes i am replacing mine, going to a single row chain setup from another forum member.

[bmwm42]

i just pulled my timing cover at 191k and my sprockets look like hell compared to yours...i don't know the maintenance history, just picked the engine up a couple months ago.

Holy shit them teeth are pointy replace them rails crank sprocket chain

[Ryann]

yes i am replacing mine, going to a single row chain setup from another forum member.

Why?

[dude8383]

Why?

Becauseracecar.


No but seriously, less rotational mass.