timing chain replacement

[couch.lock]

I was just wondering how you can tell when the timing chain of an m42 needs to be replaced. I have no idea how many miles are on my car or if any of the previous owners ever replaced the chain so I'm kinda paranoid about it.
And I've noticed the engine makes a steady clicking sort of sound and was thinking maybe that was a bad sign.

[Hick]

does not need replaced like a belt. they are made to last the life of the engine.

The cam gears do wear, ive seen a few guys have the chain skip a tooth, which can be a problem if it skips too many.

[10Toes]

You could replace your timing chain tensioner, that might help quit it down a little. Its easy to do, you just unbolt it and put the new one in.

Part #17

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

[TS323]

id recommend a tensioner definitely. you can do cam gears to but thats more involved.

[jaycheetwood]

does not need replaced like a belt. they are made to last the life of the engine.

The cam gears do wear, ive seen a few guys have the chain skip a tooth, which can be a problem if it skips too many.

Uhhh this is not true.. Timing chains honestly should be changed at 100-120k.. over time they develop slack, stretch and wear down.

Ask VR6 owners about not changing timing chains haha.

[couch.lock]

Uhhh this is not true.. Timing chains honestly should be changed at 100-120k.. over time they develop slack, stretch and wear down.

Ask VR6 owners about not changing timing chains haha.

Yeah, that's why I'm wanting to figure out if I need to change it or not. Someone once told me the m42 chain has three bands that eventually break to show maintenance needs to be done. Or replacement rather. Is that true?

[hotballs]

Sounds like overkill. Things that need to be done to vr6's do not apply to bmw motors. Just saying I've never heard of anyone changing out the chain for maintenance on s50/s52. And chain m30 motors run well into the 300-450k. Replace the lower and upper tensioners, if there is an upper, not sure on the m42.

[Hick]

Yup, only M42 i know of that took a dump from a broken chain was Stu McHenry's 318is, somewhere around 240k

I had some questionable cam gears around 200-210k.

Uhhh this is not true.. Timing chains honestly should be changed at 100-120k.. over time they develop slack, stretch and wear down.

Ask VR6 owners about not changing timing chains haha.

Ask any 2002/e21 guy rinning around in an M10. The older, the more slack, the better. Chains RARELY break. Its more important to check the wear on teh cam gears, tensioner, tensoner rail, and guide rails. But if you going to those lengths you might as well change the chain.

The quesiton is; When will it break? Your guess is as good as mine. Do it if you feel the need to.