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[ Follow Ups ] [ M5 (E28) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Greg K on May 08, 2002 at 21:19:22:

In Reply to: Timing chain replacement B4 150K posted by Heine on May 08, 2002 at 12:07:59:

it's not the chain or sprockets that you need to worry about. The GUIDES, specifically the white plastic ones, are the items that get brittle at about 100k. When they break, they get caught in the timing chain and chewed up between the sprockets, causing the chain to jump and valves to impact the pistons. You find the little chewed debris in the oil sump. This is fairly common if you speak to Metric Mechanic, Korman, Dinan, etc. Why BMW used such a cheap $5 piece in such a beautiful handbuilt engine is beyond me. Generally, at 100k miles the front cover should be removed any of tension guides and chain components checked for wear, AND, the white plastic guides and their securing C-clips replaced regardless of what is prescribed by BMW or others.

Greg K



I've heard it's prudent to replace your timing chain before reaching the 150k milestone.I've also heard(usually from sellers of 115k-170k M5s)"Oh,I had that checked & it looks fine.so I left it alone." What's the real deal




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