how often does the timing chain need to be changed?

[PatNy]

got mine and waterpump changed at 70k now i got 90k....

[UNHCLL]

Unless you have an M3, you dont have a timing change.

On an M20, the timing belt needs to be changed every 4 years, 50k miles. Whichever comes first

[BS87]

I always wondered if you could get all the gears etc, and put a timing chain on an M20. I doubt it though.

[Bill 84 318i]

Unless you have an M3, you dont have a timing change.

Or a 318 (non M40 version).

[OldUser1]

Unless you have an M3, you dont have a timing change.

Or a 318 (non M40 version).

M42's have timing chains, and I heard they don't need replacing untill you rebuild the engine.

[franz]

M10 & M42 have chains as alluded to already. It is a good idea to change the timing chain tensioner on the M42 but I don't know the interval. I would say 50k miles.

[OldUser1]

M10 & M42 have chains as alluded to already. It is a good idea to change the timing chain tensioner on the M42 but I don't know the interval. I would say 50k miles.

Yea, and about 186k my timing chain tensioner was causing my engine to make a racket. My engine sounded like it was ready to blow. Replaced the tensioner and sounds good as new. I think I saw somewhere online about how the TCT needs replacing every 65k miles.

[Fraser]

FWIW, there was a guy on BF.c a few weeks ago w/an e36 m42 car. His chain failed at 107k and did a number on the head. I'm assuming this is far from common.
Have any of you guys heard of other cases of a failed timing chain on these motors? They seem few and far between.

[spud814]

I haven't heard of the timing chain breaking, but i heard of the timing chain guide get broken into alot of piece and was shattered all over, inside the engine.

[///M42 sport]

you need to change the timing chain at 60-100k. Its a pretty complicated job so I would pay someone to do it if your not mechanically savvy. costs around $600-$700
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[rwh11385]

I haven't heard of the timing chain breaking....

Stu's fucked up, and it was in the Roundel as being mentionable as a rare thing. Of course, he had hella miles on it, and was maniac on the M42. :twisted: