Subject: Close, but it's more than 15 minutes and closer to 150 in parts Author: bsnedeker : member since March, 2007 : 845 posts Posted on: 2008-08-03 02:57:16

In order to replace those parts you have to remove the lower timing cover, and there are a host of issues that arise when removing the lower timing cover.

When you talk of the two people that have had issues with the guides...I'm one of those two. There are two issues that you will run into when removing the lower timing cover.

1. Removing the hub for the vibration damper. This bolt has over 300 ft.lbs of torque, and is difficult to remove. I had a special tool fabricated to do it, others have just used a quality impact wrench/air compressor.

2. Replacing the seal at the bottom of the lower timing cover. The problem here is that in order to replace the entire gasket, you would have to remove the oil pan. There is only a small portion of the gasket that actually sits under the timing cover. What I did, was to purchase the entire 50 dollar gasket, then I just cut off the part of the gasket I didn't need...I RTV'ed the crap out of the new gasket, and stuck it on. So far, no leaks, but I've probably put 30 miles on it. It looks solid, but I'm worried about it.

I guess the point though, is that if you are already going to the trouble of removing the valve covers, and upper timing covers, removing the lower timing cover as a preventative measure isn't a bad idea. My car was at 138K miles when the timing guide gave out, and it was 30 below zero when I started the car up at that point, so that may have had something to do with the stress.

This is just info from my experience, so please take with a grain or two of salt.

• How common are oil leaks from timing chain covers? - 01sport 2008-08-01 16:05:01 (51 views)
  • Re: How common are oil leaks from timing chain covers? - 01sport 2008-08-06 15:29:15 (15 views)
    • NE1 have the TIS on upper timing chain gasket ? (nt) - 01sport 2008-08-06 15:30:41 (14 views)
  • +1 I did the timing chain when I did the V.C. / V.P. on my 98 740i (nt) - Lexicon 740iL 2008-08-03 12:37:12 (25 views)
    • The chain? Or the upper or lower chain cover gaskets? or the tensioners/guides? - JohnG 2008-08-03 13:03:29 (20 views)
      • When My indy (German Tech) installed my new Alty he suggested - snitch 2008-08-03 14:08:10 (19 views)
        • There isn't any tightening or aligning other than replacing the guides and tensi - JohnG 2008-08-03 14:48:26 (15 views)
          • thnx for the follow up reply. ill keep the gaskets in mond then,.How expensive - snitch740i 2008-08-03 15:12:51 (11 views)
            • not sure - as with many repairs, the labor is the $$$ part - JohnG 2008-08-03 15:34:50 (14 views)
      • Sorry, I should have specified,The upper or lower chain cover gaskets. (nt) - Lexicon 740iL 2008-08-03 13:25:37 (11 views)
  • I would do them, and here is why - bsnedeker 2008-08-03 03:06:37 (37 views)
  • just did mine too.. (nt) - paprmkr 2008-08-02 13:42:06 (16 views)
  • I guess almost common! I am having a leak now and it seem to be that. DON'T - bmw635 2008-08-01 18:46:12 (28 views)
    • I don't think the timing chain guides or tensioners are an issue - JohnG 2008-08-02 16:10:57 (28 views)
      • 6 bolts, 15min, $100 extra parts- I wouldn't skip this on the M62 engine. (url) - bmw635 2008-08-02 19:25:52 (41 views)
        • +1 (nt) - thesteve 2008-08-06 09:37:25 (6 views)
        • Close, but it's more than 15 minutes and closer to 150 in parts - bsnedeker 2008-08-03 02:57:16 (35 views)
          • What were your symptoms of the timing guide failing? Noise? - justible 2008-08-03 17:00:00 (25 views)
          • Appreciate the info. But I will definitely skip it this time around - 98K miles - JohnG 2008-08-03 10:44:44 (14 views)
      • 6 bolts, 15min, $100 extra parts- I wouldn't skip this on the M62 engine. - bmw635 2008-08-02 19:25:28 (23 views)
  • Re: How common are oil leaks from timing chain covers? - cogic740 2008-08-01 17:02:37 (34 views)