M50 autopsy

[yaofeng]

Yes. The secondary chain guide was plastic and I couldn't take it out in one piece either.

[fujioko]

Does that hydraulic tensioner retaining tool have a BMW part #?

[yaofeng]

Does that hydraulic tensioner retaining tool have a BMW part #?

I did a little detective work if I remember correctly. Knowing after 9/94 the timing chain guide was replaced with one plastic. I got the part number from the ETK by using a production date later than 9/94. So I know the main chain guide (called the chain tensioner on the ETK) is part number 11311703717.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=25

That link doesn't give the part number for item #15. I then used a E36 328 of a much later production. Get the main chain guide part number. It is the same 11311703717. I used that link to get the chain tensioner, items 9 and 12. I used the same spring from my old one.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...39&hg=11&fg=25

[rob101]

all i can say is........... ouch!

[yaofeng]

If you meant the broken timing chain guide, I cut it in half using my Dremal tool. I have the engine stripped and mounted on the stand. But I did not separate the head from the block. So there was no way to remove the aluminum guide. Maybe it wasn't necessary to remove it at all. I wasn't think. Anyway, I cut it and installed a later design using the plastic guide. An aluminum guide you can not install or remove without taking the head off. But the plastic guide will snap into the hole as it is pliable.

[Jon K]

All of the guides on my 92 were plastic

[yaofeng]

All of the guides on my 92 were plastic

According to the ETK the main chain guide (the ETK calls it tensioner) is aluminum I think (part number 11311726503)
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=25

After 9/94, the main chain guide is a different part number (11311703717). With it a different tensioner (#15).
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=25

But I can't argue with what you see. I am interested in what tensioner you have (the cylinder bolted to the outside to adjust chain teneion). Does it have a bolt outside so you can adjust chain tension? For 9/94 and later, the chain tension is no longer adjustable.

[fujioko]

The short block and head are now listed on ebay. I figure someone may want them and perhaps I may want their money. Anyway if anyone is courious just search items by seller. Seller = fujioko.