Top Dead Center HELP

[reelizmpro]

Yes, to a degree. Mechanics will typically clean them up with a wire wheel.

[PCasil]

Today I got the chance to remove my cylinder head before I headed to work, and this is what I found. Carbon deposits on top of the cylinders.

So my question is, is this normal? And how can I remove the carbon deposits on top of the pistons without disassembling the pistons? I bought engine degreaser but I'm not really sure if the safest bet without your guys' approval first. Any recommendations on how to safely remove and clean the top of the cylinders?

-PCasil

[PCasil]

your fine to move it that tiny bit to the line pistons will barely move if at all as its so close to TDC, you probably find when re-installing it will move as you put things together, you just need to make sure marks are good with chain tight.
it takes a lot of movement to get to a piston/valve contact point and if you are moving things by hand you would feel it stop and so wouldnt keep turning it past that point..

You're fine. Lift it off.

You just need to be careful when putting it on.

Yes u can but doesn't have to be at tdc before removal. I'm guessing they advise it to make things easier when reinstalling? Not sure. It's easiest to find tdc with the head off.

Thanks guys! I'll take a shot of removing the head in a few days and have it sent to the shop to get it resurfaced.

-PCasil

[reelizmpro]

Yes u can but doesn't have to be at tdc before removal. I'm guessing they advise it to make things easier when reinstalling? Not sure. It's easiest to find tdc with the head off.

[SamE30e]

You're fine. Lift it off.

You just need to be careful when putting it on.

[spdracrm3]

your ok

your fine to move it that tiny bit to the line pistons will barely move if at all as its so close to TDC, you probably find when re-installing it will move as you put things together, you just need to make sure marks are good with chain tight.
it takes a lot of movement to get to a piston/valve contact point and if you are moving things by hand you would feel it stop and so wouldnt keep turning it past that point..

[PCasil]

Bump..Anybody?

[PCasil]

Remember their is 2 top center. Make sure its on the compression stroke so the intake valve will be open. stick a long extension in the spark plug hole and make sure its at highest point....

http://youtu.be/-g6TDAbySrA

Please take a look at my video..

[reno808]

Remember their is 2 top center. Make sure its on the compression stroke so the intake valve will be open. stick a long extension in the spark plug hole and make sure its at highest point....

[PCasil]

Since S14.net has been out of service for the past two weeks, I might as ask my questions here.

I'm trying to change the head gasket of my E30 M3 and I noticed, today, the metal point that points to the line on the crank pulley to signify it's on top dead center (TDC) is a bit off. I must've moved the timing chain a bit that caused it to move a bit. Keep in mind I still have the cylinder head on. So my question is: Is it still possible to set my crankshaft at TDC before I remove my cylinder head? I'm a bit worried because it's not precisely at TDC because I haven't removed the cylinder head yet and it's supposed to be exactly at TDC by the time the cylinder head is removed. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

P.S. I'm following the directions based on the KoalaMotorsports manual as well as the factory manual.

-PCASIL