B10 V8 - timing chain or belt?

James7 · Post by **James7** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:47 am

Hi folks

Looking for some more advice please. Does the B10 V8 have a timing chain or belt and when should it be replaced/serviced, obviously depending on what it is?

Thanks

James

olli · Post by **olli** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:39 pm

The last Bmw changed from belt to chain was the 316i E36 in 1993/94 when it changed from M40 to M43 engine.
All others were on chains before that, where the official statement is that they last the lifetime of the car.

Araf · Post by **Araf** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:39 pm

olli wrote:where the official statement is that they last the lifetime of the car.

...which actually means that if it snaps, then the engine is a write-off, and by that time, fitting a new engine, will not be an economical repair on the car.

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:32 pm

olli wrote:where the official statement is that they last the lifetime of the car.

Hmm! A bit like the auto gearboxes which are sealed 'for life' and require no oil change... until they go bang at 100k miles and BMW explain that's what they mean by 'lifetime'

dellboy 1959 · Post by **dellboy 1959** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:55 am

Araf wrote:
olli wrote:where the official statement is that they last the lifetime of the car.
...which actually means that if it snaps, then the engine is a write-off, and by that time, fitting a new engine, will not be an economical repair on the car.

I really can't see the mentality in this lifetime $hite.
Even when i owned the M635 it had a recommended renewal mileage for the timing chain

Post by **Charles** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:01 pm

Had the timing chain on the B3S checked at 180k miles and it was still OK.

Mind you, this was part of a full engine rebuild!!!

B10BRW · Post by **B10BRW** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:34 am

Araf wrote:
olli wrote:where the official statement is that they last the lifetime of the car.
...which actually means that if it snaps, then the engine is a write-off, and by that time, fitting a new engine, will not be an economical repair on the car.

Had that happen on my 6 year old DB6 a Long time ago

, complete write-off, that was before a box of bits was worth 30K

James7 · Post by **James7** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:07 pm

Guys

Some questions from the points you've mentioned:

1. Is it best then to have the chain checked yearly and is there anything obvious to look out for?
2. How easy is it to check the belt?
3. At what point or mileage would you consider replacing the chain?

Thanks

James

dellboy 1959 · Post by **dellboy 1959** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:20 pm

Going by my M6 i wouldn't let the chain go much past 90,000 but you MUST change the gear-chain and tensioner as well.

nealpina · Post by **nealpina** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:17 pm

Automatic gearboxes failures are well documented on forums and magazines unlike timing chains snapping.

The technology in the E24 era, the chain did need to be replaced at set intervals. I changed the timing chain on my old 2000E Sapphire. BMWs from late 90s to the present day the timing chain technology and quality have moved on significantly where the timing chain is now a lifetime part. I could be wrong but I may have read on another forum that a timing chain had snapped but it could have been on an older car. Apart from that does anyone know of a timing chain letting go in a modern BMW or ALPINA?

If and when I decide an engine overhaul is needed on my cars, or I hear the chain about to snap, I will then replace the timing chain.

Post by **Charles** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:24 am

As mentioned earlier, we inspected the timing chain from my engine very carefully indeed before deciding to reuse it after the rebuild at 180k miles.

I cannot comment on chains for V8 engines though ...

John_C · Post by **John_C** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:40 am

AFAIK the timing chains are extremely reliable and should only need replacing at very high mileages plus they get noisy a long time before failure.