tool to check TDC before i fire it up?

[ptownTSI]

i changed the timing belt, waterpump, tensioner, spring, pin, checked the front cam shaft seal ( was good, and i dont have a way to get it out so i didnt change it, although i had a new seal, but bma sent me the wrong O-ring, not the 2" one that goes on the outside of the cam seal thing).

i want to know if there is a way i can check proper TDC and cam shaft alignment before i start it up. the camshaft sprocket might have moved a bit while i was taking it off so i want to double check everything.

[bimmer8604]

pull ur spark plugs, get a friend to stick his/her finger over #1 spark plug hole, carnk motor. stop when on compression, turn motor rest of the way to line up timing marks and use like a dowl or something to see if piston is at TDC.

THats what i would do.

I'm sure there are other ways.

Kyle

[ptownTSI]

for v8's there is a tool that threads in the # 1 cylinder that lets you know when it is lined up...i dont know how this works for a bmw

[ptownTSI]

then again, as long as i lined up those marks i should be good eh? the marks on the cam sprocket/head and the timing cover/vibration damper?

[Alpine-E30]

Take a plastic straw..

Stick it down the number one spark plug hole

Turn engine by hand until straw stops going up, you are now at TDC on cylinder one.

[StereoInstaller1]

Whatever you do, DO NOT use the starter! Use a ratchet to rotate the crank, SLOWLY!!!! Be fucking GENTLE, you can bend a valve or dink a piston easily...

Those marks are amazingly accurate, but yes, use a plastic straw to check TDC. You can watch it move up and down.

Luke

[ptownTSI]

got it lined up perfectly today(i hope) lol. both lines were right on line after i spun it around 4 times. bolted it back up, filled it up with coolant. going to fix the exhaust pipe leak tomorrow at a muffler shop, install the downpipe, cat, and then rear muffler section and take it for a spin hopefully.

i really need to find my extra yellowtop, batteries are expensive!

[91Saleen#15]

If you are not going to pull the damper and check the actual crank marks, then I would at least use both the straw method and the marks on the damper. I bought a volvo at a salvage auction recently that was donated to a charity and then dumped at the auction because it wasn't running. Seems that someone had realigned the timing belt using the damper marks, but the rubber in the damper was old and the outer ring had slipped. The timing was off by 90 degrees. Luckily, it was a non-interference engine, or else at that setting it wasn't interfering at the very least.

[bmwmike]

used to always pull the spark plug on old v8s, put a screw driver in and turn the engine with a socket until it was there

[ptownTSI]

my bmw doesnt have a rubber dumper. i checked everything and it lines up, turning it over by hand there is no interference and every time i turned it around the camshaft sprocket lined up perfectly on the hash mark on the head and the lower perfectly on the lower timing chain cover. no interference as i was able to turn it over by hand fine.