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      03-29-2015, 12:24 AM   #1
StickMon
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Timing Chain Tensioner

Things I learned over the last 2 days replacing my timing chain tensioner/guide:

1) If you're nearing 100k miles, DO IT NOW!!!
2) Vanos hub bolts should be "single time use". Maybe you already knew that.
I had 2 of them strip when I thought I was finished with the camshaft timing.
I almost always buy all of the hardware I'll have to touch during a job, but of course, not this time.
Luckily I'm only 20 minutes from McMaster-Carr, so I got 12.9's all around, P/N 90373A012 for a sack of 10.
3) Don't try to put the exhaust sprocket back on with the intake camshaft pinned with the "bridge".
You're going to need to redistribute the slack.
4) If you've adjusted the camshaft timing with a worn tensioner you'll have to retime both camshafts.
When I got the exhaust sprocket back on, both sprockets had rotated 10-15°.
If I knew it was going to blow the timing, I would have loosened the intake camshaft hub bolts. Would have made it even easier to get the exhaust sprocket back on.

Not only was the guide worn 1/2 way through, the part that was left, having lost support, wasn't the same shape it started life as. The loose piece broke off while I was wiping the oil off.
Oddly, the wear isn't on the face where the chain whizzes across it, it's on the underside where it sits against the lower guide.
The S54 is a marvel, but some parts must have been designed on Friday after lunch.

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Last edited by StickMon; 03-29-2015 at 12:40 AM..
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      03-31-2015, 08:43 PM   #2
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Looks like you caught that just in time. Did you replace your tensioner also (why)? Let us know how the timing went.

I'm doing all of the Beisan Systems vanos repairs this weekend. I'm replacing all of my hub and cam spocket bolts with grade 12.9 from Lang racing. Hopefully all goes well. I've been studying up on every vanos related thread on the internet. Lots of good stuff out there.

Good luck!
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      04-01-2015, 02:02 PM   #3
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Yea, Jim, I finally got around to taking your advice.
Replaced the tensioner, too, and the trumpet shaped bolt that goes through the guide. Just 'cause.
I started a timing thread in the DIY. Came out spot-on.
Thanks for letting me know that Lang suggests 12.9's.
I figured stronger=better, but wasn't sure.
Be careful removing/replacing the bolts that hold the Vanos to the head.
Mine on the upper right, where it holds the tab for the accumulator line, cross threaded and took some thread out of the head.
It's in there "snug", with some red loctite and should hold, but if I take the Vanos off again, I'm going to have to put an insert in there.
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      04-02-2015, 09:25 PM   #4
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I just got started removing items for my vanos overhaul today. I'm really glad that I removed the radiator cover and electric fan. It opens up a ton of extra space. It makes it possible to rotate the engine and place the crankshaft tool from the top. The next time I have to replace a belt, alternator, valve adjustment or do anything that requires access to the front of the engine, I'm removing those two items. Only 5 five minutes and it already has saved me a ton of time. I'll post some pictures later.

One thing I did find out a little late, was that my ebay crankshaft tool doesn't fit in the piece to lock the crankshaft down. I ended up ordering what I hope is an alternate alignment pin from bmw (one that is shorter for our cars). Hopefully it will be here early next week.

Thanks for the tips.
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      04-06-2015, 06:09 PM   #5
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Yes, first thing I did was remove the fan cover and fan.
Then disconnect the right side hood release cable, remove/undo some of the plastic clips, and fold it over to the left side out of the way.

I thought I bought the short crankshaft locking pin a couple years back based on info from threads back then, but had to saw mine in half.
If yours fits without sawing, please post the part number.
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      04-07-2015, 07:53 PM   #6
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great. one more thing to worry about!
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      04-07-2015, 11:16 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZStig
great. one more thing to worry about!
True. It could be worse though. No IMS implosions, scored cylinders, leaking RMS, or other fun. And let's not even talk Italian cars!
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      04-07-2015, 11:23 PM   #8
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lol. thanks for the info guys, guess ill start saving up parts for next summer.. probably do the vanos and some other things at the same time as this…

whats your time frame guys for doing the tensioner? a couple of hours?
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      04-09-2015, 05:52 PM   #9
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A couple hours is a bit optimistic.
I would say, best case, figure how much time it takes you to do a valve clearance inspection and double it.
You want to take your time on this sort of thing.
Took me nearly 20 hours over the course of 2 days, but I'm old and slow.
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