Found this under valve cover.

[roguetoaster]

Dude. Thats your upper timing chain tensioner and it appears to be fucked lol.

You will definitely need to replace that.

It's not a tensioner, just a guide. It's also non essential to engine operation.

However, it is usually the last M42 timing system part to fail, and since it's gone then I would urge you to overhaul the entire timing system. Get a new deflection wheel too, or convert to an E36 timing case.

[TobyB]

It usually breaks right about the time the plastic lining sheds off of the tensioners and guides,
and then jams itself under the timing gears causing the chain to skip teeth.

When I changed the tensioner slider on mine, the plastic peeled off of it with a gentle tug.


jus' me,

t

[BobombETA]

How's it running? Sound like a misfire at all?

[Th3importedguy]

How's it running? Sound like a misfire at all?

It ran perfectly fine until my head gasket blew

[Dj Buttchug]

Op you dont need the top guide. just DGAF bro

[Th3importedguy]

Op you dont need the top guide. just DGAF bro

Exactly what I was thinking lol

[Massimo]

Op you dont need the top guide. just DGAF bro

This

[DER E30]

I can't piece it together to make anything.

Zip tie and JB weld skills are lacking