Engine Timing

Symptoms of a really bad timing is a blown engine, if your engine does not feel right after a rebuild tow your car back to the shop for a second look.

Symptoms

• Engine is running rough
• Random O2/Lean/Rich condition codes thrown
• Slow engine response when switching gears

Diagnostic

• Start the car, lean against car's fender while engine is shaking. If whole car body is shaking this is an indication of non-mount related vibration(s).
• Connect vacuum gauge to PCV plate in the rear or brake booster line, if reading is STEADY but below

14-16 Hg you are most likely to have wrong timing.

Repair

The repair is straight forward but requires four hands and a special BMW kit for locking fly wheel in place, aligning cam shaft and keeping chain tensioner in a single place. Consult Bentley repair manual.

• Use exact torque specs for each component.
• When spinning the engine, always spin it to the right of you when standing in front of the car.
• Do not forget to remove flywheel locking pin when attempting to spin the engine or before starting the car.