1989 325i Sedan

[EREKSHUN]

So i need some advice from you guys. When i was trying to set the timing marks, the head was not moving along with the crank due to the slack on the timing belt. In my mind even further messing up the timing. Do i just pull the head off at this point? Its not set at top dead center but at the same time i cant really get the head to move along with the crank.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[EREKSHUN]

1989 325i Sedan

So here’s some pictures of the broken timing belt tensioner.

The visible wear on the inside of the timing belt cover.


Broken timing belt tensioner











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[EREKSHUN]

Happy Monday to all!

Well i had some free time this past weekend and starting digging into the break down. I got all the small items out of the way so that i can pull the intake and head off. Although its still on the car because I need to pick up the right sockets to remove the head bolts.

Once i removed the timing belt cover i noticed that there was some wear on the inside of the cover. Once i inspected a little further i think i have found the reason why all my rockers snapped on the intake side. The timing belt tensioner snapped off. Its still in there but its not holding any tension on the belt. I think that it allowed some slippage on the belt and it may have jumped a tooth or two or three once i get the timing marks lined up and remove the head ill see how much damage i have inside the block. I will update this thread with some pictures of what i found later on today if i get home in time.

[EREKSHUN]

1989 325i Sedan

Lol at the oil cap. I’ll be going through the car and sorting it out now that it’s in my hands. You know I also would like to know what could cause all the intake rockers to snap. I was hoping someone else had some information. No major work was done to it prior to breaking down for at least a year. I think I’m capable of removing the head on my own so I’ll be working on that in the up coming weeks. I will post pics of the head once removed.


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[vtechnik]

Mercedes oil cap? I am also very intrigued why all the intake rockers snapped, seems like an m20 owners nightmare. Did someone adjust the valves before this happened?

[EREKSHUN]

Thanks for the advice. I’ve been reading up on it there seams to be a lot of info out there. I’ll be working on it slowly and will update you guys as much as I can.


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[2mAn]

Just pull the head, leaving the entire fuel system/ intake manifold side of things together. Its a little more work to get it out as one piece but makes installation a breeze.

Im sure the bottom end is fine, but how the hell did all the rockers break? Might have bent valves too

[EREKSHUN]

Yea sorry about the confusion. The head currently has all the rockers on the intake side broken off. I have a local machine shop that I take my heads to for my other cars. I was actually looking at the bimmerheads website last night for parts. I would love to just send them the whole thing but it’s a little over my budget right now. I’m hoping that it is just the head and that I didn’t damage the pistons or anything in the block. I have a kiddo on the way so I’m hoping to get this up and running before all that happens :) I work for a scrap company and we have so many decent E30s coming in all the time. That’s the only reason why I’m thinking of just throwing another M20 in there. I can probably get a complete one for under $300 but then there’s the risk of it going out in a couple months also.


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[2mAn]

so wait, Im confused. Is the head full of broken rockers NOW, or was that all before the changes you made?
If its broken now, I would pull the head with the intention of sending it off to Bimmerheads or something. and then go from there, hopefully the bottom end will look good

[EREKSHUN]

1989 325i Sedan

When I first got the car I wanted to drop it and all the typical e30 mods. But over the years I’ve just fallen in love with what a beautiful car it is in its original form. I’m thinking of keeping it clean and simple. What would you guys do with it? Rust free somewhat unmolested body and interior. No real plans of getting rid of it any time soon or ever at that. Has had 1 M20 swap already previous to my ownership. Head went out on my pops and he just dropped a low miles (not sure how many) I motor has a 885 head.

Before I handed it over to my dad I did a lot of maintenance work to it. I’ll try to list everything I did before it was parked.

Timing belt
Timing belt tensioner
New fan
New fan clutch
Radiator and hoses
Alternator
Fuel pump
Brakes and rotors
Thermostat
Water pump
O2 sensor
CPS sensor
Plugs and wires
Cap and rotor
Drive shaft was rebuilt
Center support bearing and guibo replaced
Transmission was replaced
Clutch
Rebuilt shifter
Catalytic Converter
Magnaflow muffler
Flushed the fuel injectors
16" Konig Remembers wheels


Still haven’t done anything else to the car. Just been admiring it sitting in its new home. I’m obsessed and my wife is starting to understand the years of talking about my old bmw. She laughs when I just sit there and clean my rims. Like it doesn’t even run why are you so obsessed? Lol.













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[EREKSHUN]

So last weekend I was reunited with my E30. For the past 5 years it’s been sitting somewhat forgotten at my dads house. I at least had it put away in the garage but I still managed to get a couple dings and dents along the years. All in all the car is in great shape in and out. Car was last parked due to a broken rocker arm.

Today I felt a bit curious and took off the valve cover to do some further investigating. I actually have all of the intake side rocker arms broken off. Makes me a little scared to see what’s going on in the block. My plan was to pull the head and get it rebuilt. If I have internal damage I may just pull another M20 from the Scrap yard. I’ll post some pictures below and try to keep some updates coming.










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