Valve timing on the M42

[robbieosterman]

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[e30Matt]

Sounds like you need to turn the idle up a little bit to compensate for the timing changes... ? How much of a difference did this timing adjustment make? That may be a way to get some of my torque back.

[nando]

the rattling could be the timing chain tensioner/rail. it's a common failure on these cars, but simple to fix and you can upgrade to a stronger one from another motor.

[robbieosterman]

Update.

Update:

I've retarded the valve timing a little bit to smooth out the idle, looks like it worked and the idle is very smooth. I advanced it a little more than factory spec and I still have the benefits as described before just not AS significant.

---> Oh, and the rattle I said earlier has been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced by this, i'm curious to whether it is the timing chain tensioner that is going out.

[OldUser1]

Re: Update.

---> Oh, and the rattle I said earlier has been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced by this, i'm curious to whether it is the timing chain tensioner that is going out.

How many miles are on your engine? It might be time to replace it. I replaced mine at about 180,000 miles with the e36 318i timing chain tensioner. It's a quick 10 minute job.
$44.00 shipped from The Euro Depot.

-Kenyon

[m42technic]

Re: Valve timing on the M42

I've noticed an extremely rough idle, and a strange knocking noise coming from the lower end of the engine. The knocking noise stops once the clutch pedal is pushed in.

If the knocking goes away when you press the clutch, that would point to your tranny's input shaft bearing..

[AdamF 88iS]

I'll second that tranny bearing thing. It's very common, but not threatening. Just live with it.

[OldUser1]

Re: Update.

---> Oh, and the rattle I said earlier has been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced by this, i'm curious to whether it is the timing chain tensioner that is going out.

How many miles are on your engine? It might be time to replace it. I replaced mine at about 180,000 miles with the e36 318i timing chain tensioner. It's a quick 10 minute job.
$44.00 shipped from The Euro Depot.

-Kenyon

I've got about 113,000 miles on my car, do you think that many miles is enough to warrent a replacement? The ratteling is only around 3,000 RPM which is still leading me to believe it's a heatshield, but i'll probably end up trying to replace the tensioner. Thanks for the link.

You should go ahead and replace it, I've heard they only last somewhere around 60-70,000 miles. Also, before I replaced mine it rattled like mad around 3k.

-Kenyon