bmw series 8 belt chain

Lots of debate on the subject. Ferrari has used timing belts since the 1970s but more recently with the F430 (2005) they have returned to timing chains. The primarly reason Ferrari switched was competitive pressure from Lamborghini which uses timing chains with the Gallardo. A major service with a Gallardo is about 2500. The F360 Ferrari was closer to 5k as it requires replacement of the tensioner

Timing chains are better but when a belt goes at 4000RPM you have shredded rubber. When a chain goes you have schrapnel. Major damage Jerry

Quote Originally Posted by uncmozo Timing chains are better but when a belt goes at 4000RPM you have shredded rubber. When a chain goes you have schrapnel. Major damage Jerry Ive had a couple cars that had interference engines as opposed to clearance engines so when a timing belt goes kaput it takes a few valves with it due to the valve timing being off and the pistons hitting them. On some occasions a piston can be damaged beyond use too.

I never heard of timing chains snapping on bmw or M-B. Ever. On the other hand I am aware of timing belts snapping. Heard of it (in the past) quite a bit. The damage was significant. The only time you would have to do some work on a i6 timing chain (v8 is different with the plastic rails etc) is if the chain starts to elongate and even then not all the time - the chain noise will tell you how bad it

Quote Originally Posted by rahulsansi I have a 01 330i with 106K miles on it. Does it have a timing belt or chain and does it need to be replaced My car does not start and I thought the battery was down. I called AAA for a jump start but the tower told me the battery was fine but from the engine sound he could say that the timing belt needed to be replaced. Any advice LOL did he recommmend that you take it to his place to get the belt replaced. As pointed out this car has a chain. The M20 engine was the last bmw 6 cylinder that had a timing belt and the M20 was replaced by the M50 in 1991 IIRC.

Quote Originally Posted by powellsd i could be wrong but with a chain u shouldnt have to worry about the valves stems being bent....i know on the the v8s were i broke the chains didnt have to worry. the 383 stroker was runnning 101 compression. The 302 just the normal stock compression ford puts out. i have never worked on a m42 engine..but i think he should be good..u guys with the m42s would know

Ok.....Just got a 91 325I the other day......the fomer owner says he had the motor rebuilt water pump replaced and he doesnt know whether it was the Timing belt or Timing chain that he changed.......So once again which is it that I have on this car......belt or chain

Quote Originally Posted by LuvThatSam Ok.....Just got a 91 325I the other day......the fomer owner says he had the motor rebuilt water pump replaced and he doesnt know whether it was the Timing belt or Timing chain that he changed.......So once again which is it that I have on this car......belt or chain belt you had a chain on the M42

Quote Originally Posted by bryce mcgarvey belt you had a chain on the M42 I dont want belt.......Is there anyway of converting to a chain

My water pump started to go and all it did was drip coolant. Yes look for a dripping coolant a good sign the water pump is bad. Which two belts are you talking about The serpintine belts runs the air conditioner and water pump. no timing belt I believe the E46 has a timing chain.

I just ask the same question about timing chain to a small bmw shop Mechanic he said timing chain will last easy to 150000 miles on a E46 after that you should start to worry. If timing chaing does goes bad you are in trouble.

My water pump started to go and all it did was drip coolant. Yes look for a dripping coolant a good sign the water pump is bad. Which two belts are you talking about The serpintine belts runs the air conditioner and water pump. no timing belt I believe the E46 has a timing chain.

I would plan on water pump replacement at 60K miles. Plus belts because theyre already off and theyre cheap. As for the strategy of buying a warranty and then waiting for parts to fail well that seems weird to me for two reasons. 1. I value my time and will make sure preventive replacement happens on my terms instead of a random chance event. Im guessing the poster has never had to deal with bmw

Quote Originally Posted by whiskey.org be sure to tell her not to shift into second gear at 80 Seriously though has bmw ever mad an engine that did not use a chain I am not aware of any Honda-ish engines that used a belt.

Quote Originally Posted by chuck92103 Seriously though has bmw ever mad an engine that did not use a chain I am not aware of any Honda-ish engines that used a belt. In the last 30 years the M20 and M40. How anyone could forget those engines I have no idea as bmw made millions of them Also almost all European-market Hondas use timing belts. In fact most Hondas around the world still use belts.

Quote Originally Posted by chuck92103 I was aware the Japanese primarily used belts. I did not realize bmw ever did. Learn something new everyday. IIRC the hot Hondas (those making peak power over say 7000 rpm) use chains. A lot of European manufacturers still employ belts and some of them have been in the dock before over specifying over-long renewal intervals. Not Honda though or bmw (although bmws last belt-driven car engine was made in 1993).

belts need to be replaced because theyll break and take expensive engine parts with them. chains need to be replaced because they get slack and valve timing suffers and you lose power. Ive known cars with timing chain engines to go 250000 miles on the original chain...

Ok now I am little worriedconfused. My first bmw mechanic argued that the timing chain on my 1991 318is was a maintenance free part and didnt need to be changed. My second and I believe more honest bmw mechanic argues that while its not automatic like a belt the chains CAN go and I should think about getting it replaced. Cost - 800. My current mileage is 121K Of course that is small stuff compared

i know my experience with chains if they snap u are fine no damage to the engine..when belts snap a different story...i have driven carstrucks with chains well over 200k ..My brother told me on the chains for these cars can go to the 200k as well and he has never heard anyone changing them..we also race a 95 325i scca its car..so i will take his opinion on that part..been racing for a few years and has been working on the for a long time..

Quote Originally Posted by Tex330i Do any of the 3.0L in-line sixes need tensioners ect I have an 01 330i what preventative maintenance do I need to do as it approaches 100k Generally speaking you dont need timing chain tensioners. At 60k I did water pump thermostat belts hoses fuel filter tranny fluid diff fluid coolant brake fluid flush idler pulleys. Ill consider the expansion tank and radiator before 100k and Ill replace the o2 sensors 100k (as bmw recommends).

Quote Originally Posted by bmwayne Had a 2001 VW and the timing chain shredded the engine(cost 12000 to repair under warranty)any possibilty of this happening with our cars It happened in my VW as thisthe check engine light came on in boston. I drove home to wash dc and the next day the car didnt start prognosis at the dealer... total engine failure cause of the timing chain... Until reading this post

Hello everywhere I read I am told that the E46 has a timing chain not belt however during a recent trip to the mechanic I was told that I had a timing belt I took a look and there it was....my timing belt. How is it so that I have a timing belt and not a chain like everyone says I should have

My 325i has a timing belt. But its an E30. Quote Originally Posted by joshbishop82 Hello everywhere I read I am told that the E46 has a timing chain not belt however during a recent trip to the mechanic I was told that I had a timing belt I took a look and there it was....my timing belt. How is it so that I have a timing belt and not a chain like everyone says I should have Where was this belt On the

most 3 series have t-belts. its in the 5 series they went to chains and thats on newer models

The M20 has the timing belt. The M50 has the timing chain. Go to realoem.com or bmwfans.info and plug in your vin. It will pull up parts specific to your car. This site shows a picture of the M20 engine httpwww.driftworks.comforumtech...20-engine.html This one shows a picture of the M50 engine httpaboutbmw.netallusedused3bmw...50-engine.html Hope this helps.

i think the only two engine that had a timing belt are the m40 and m42 both found on early 318s... correct me if im wrong.... but if u find a 93 bmw it will most certainly have a timin chain

heres a link to wiki. pretty much if its a sohc chances are it is a belt engine. if it is dohc then it will be a chain. httpen.wikipedia.orgwikibmw_M20 hope this helps. drivinfaster

All 6 cylinder E36s have chains. Earlier 4 cyls have belts later have chains.

Yea umm what are you talking about here If it is truly your beltS and they look dry try replacing them. if that dosent help one of the belt-driven components is most likely dying. Personally I have a dying tensioner and it sounds like a paperclip or a piece of plastic stuck in a fan. Check out this video Very close to valve ticking but its not. I have a new deflection pully on the way its the only

correct. you have a chain in that car unless it is a cabrio then it should be a belt for 92s i believe. chains you dont have to worry about to much and you can easliy go 200k or more on them and if they go you wont really have any engine issues at all. Now if the belt goes you will have a mess to deal with and they should be changed about every 50k

Quote Originally Posted by chivas not all bimmers have chains for chains you should change it about 200K miles. they still do get stretched. i need to change mine in 3 years... i think with the amount of miles ive been putting on. Really Ive never heard of anyone replacing the timing chain on a bmw due to wearstretching. I had an 84 533i with 36000km (225000miles) on it and the chain was still within

Quote Originally Posted by dave g Really Ive never heard of anyone replacing the timing chain on a bmw due to wearstretching. I had an 84 533i with 36000km (225000miles) on it and the chain was still within spec and made no noise. Youd be better off selling the car rather than paying crazy amounts to change it... especially on a 540 while chains do last a long time they still stretch. within spec sure.