If its the cam chain or tensioners that failed a replacement engine is the best option.
Please can I have some help
- Thread starter Shelly
- Start date
I’m not quite sure , what it is , Allan took the call , and relayed what the mechanic said , but too be truthful I don’t know anything about engine or what does what lol
Sorry to read this Shelly.
What a bad day.
the old M20 engines fitted to the E30 6 cylinders had a habit of snapping timing belts. I did dozens of those back in the day, but never had one bad enough to need an engine replacement. They would invariably just bend valves and stop. Even one that snapped as the owner hit the rev limiter, only needed 2 pistons, a cylinder head and some valves.
The way forward is to pull the head off and have a look at what damage there is. It might not be as bad as you think. It is extremely unlikely to have damaged a rod or the crank. An hour to whip the head off will confirm what you've got, if it is a more major problem it's only an hour, if it's fixable it might not be that bad.
Don't give up, tomorrow might be better!
the old M20 engines fitted to the E30 6 cylinders had a habit of snapping timing belts. I did dozens of those back in the day, but never had one bad enough to need an engine replacement. They would invariably just bend valves and stop. Even one that snapped as the owner hit the rev limiter, only needed 2 pistons, a cylinder head and some valves.
The way forward is to pull the head off and have a look at what damage there is. It might not be as bad as you think. It is extremely unlikely to have damaged a rod or the crank. An hour to whip the head off will confirm what you've got, if it is a more major problem it's only an hour, if it's fixable it might not be that bad.
Don't give up, tomorrow might be better!
Not the new you wanted to hear Shelly, hopefully further investigation will reveal an economical repair. I appreciate on how you feel as I had to have an engine rebuild some years ago after a spun conrod bearing.
Not a nice feeling is it ……. 🥲
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Oh dear Shelly, sorry to hear that news.Not good news for my beautiful Z …… 🥲
The mechanic has looked at the Z and so far ……
He,s said no compression on two cylinders, the timing guide is out and possibly snapped and something about the chain guide , and something about the rods , he’s doing it in stages to see what else is wrong with it , Allan spoke to the garage we use , so there might be more things to add to this too ……
Well I guess t-tony would be asking "what news of your Zed Shelly?" . . . so, in case Tony is watching over us, what news of your Zed Shelly?
I’ve got no news yet , it’s still in the garage, I’m going to give them another few days then I’ll phone them up to see what is going on …….🥲
I’m really missing my Z , especially because the weather has been so good
I’m really missing my Z , especially because the weather has been so good
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2014
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- 174
- Model of Z
- 2.2i Sport
And that'll be why it broke. Contrary things, sometimes.
Update on my Z …….
The mechanic has said something about the chain being broken and the teeth also and it’s jumped a link , so he’s going to look further into the engine to see what else has been damaged , Allan took the call .
Hope I get my Z back soon
The mechanic has said something about the chain being broken and the teeth also and it’s jumped a link , so he’s going to look further into the engine to see what else has been damaged , Allan took the call .
Hope I get my Z back soon
Jumping a tooth on the timing chain would be a BIG error in the cam timing.
Running on two?
Surprised it runs at all. Sounds a bit fishy to me.
Running on two?
Surprised it runs at all. Sounds a bit fishy to me.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2014
- Points
- 174
- Model of Z
- 2.2i Sport
Chain broken and jumped a link? Sounds a bit confusing.
That’s it , jumping a tooth on the timing chain , it’s now all broken up
Sorry my Z isn’t running, at all , he’s done a test and only 2 cylinders are firing 🫤
I dont think broken chains or guides on these engines are unknown or uncommon unfrotinatly. And when it does happen the valves hit the pistons and its failtal.
Perhaps I’ve said it wrong
Allan has done a lot of research on these engines……..
And he said the same ….
There was a recall on these engines a long time ago , but I assume mine must of been missed , maybe
There was no recall on the N20 in the UK for camchains/ guides. There was in the USA as they made a big fuss about camchains failing, so BMW USA gave in. We didn't make enough fuss and we don't open law suits for everything, so we didn't get anything.
Recalling millions of cars to replace camchains and guides (it's usually the guides that fail causing the chain to jump) would cost a manufacturer millions, if not billions. They don't want to spend that if they can avoid it, obviously.
I can't see how the engine can be running at all with a 'broken up' chain, let alone on just two cylinders.
If it jumped a tooth it can and made a valve soup. Cranking it will just make it worse untill it totally eats all the moving parts.
Get another engine, do the timing chain for preventative reasons and youre good to go.
Just swapping can be done at a shed with basic tools. Plug and play.
Get another engine, do the timing chain for preventative reasons and youre good to go.
Just swapping can be done at a shed with basic tools. Plug and play.