Timing Belt/Chain Question?

mercury26 · 02-07-2007, 01:27 AM

So I had some questions about the BMW straight 6 engines.

1. Do they use timing belt or chain (I am guessing the later)?

2. Is it on the front or back of the engine?

3. What is the service interval for replacement?

4. Does it require removal of the engine?

My question is in regards to long-term ownership.

Thanks,

Chuck

Jaws · 02-07-2007, 10:11 PM

Chain. Will last the life of the car.

F32Fleet · 02-08-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

Chain. Will last the life of the car.

Which according to BMW equates to the warranty period.

mercury26 · 02-08-2007, 07:34 PM

Yeah, I was about to ask that. My next car (which maybe a BMW) I am planning to own for many years. So I was curious what the replacement timeframe on the chain is, I have heard 100K mi to 150K mi. But figured someone might know, maybe I will mail Bimmer Magazine.

Cheers,

Chuck

khafner · 02-08-2007, 07:39 PM

On the topic of timing chains does anyone know if our engines are interference engines? If the chain breaks will the piston and valves hit each other and self destruct?

LaXNTiGA · 06-04-2012, 10:46 PM

I was looking for this... good to know it's timing chain.

However... if you have to do maintenance on the chain...... I wonder how much that would be.

Efthreeoh · 06-05-2012, 05:34 AM

The timing chain is a non-maintenance part. It is lubed by the engine oil. It is designed to last the lifetime of the engine just as the crankshaft, wrist bearings, oil pump etc. On modern automobiles, timing chains rarely fail. The last thing you need to worry about failing or replacing on the N52 is the timing chain.

Efthreeoh · 06-05-2012, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercury26

Yeah, I was about to ask that. My next car (which maybe a BMW) I am planning to own for many years. So I was curious what the replacement timeframe on the chain is, I have heard 100K mi to 150K mi. But figured someone might know, maybe I will mail Bimmer Magazine.

Cheers,

Chuck

The replacement for rubber timing belts on most new cars (if that many still even use them) is normally around 90,000 to 100,000 miles. There is no replacement interval for a timing chain. Go look for a picture of one and you'll understand.

02-07-2007, 01:27 AM	#1
mercury26 Lord of the Rings 86 Rep 470 Posts Drives: 20 Audi SQ5,05 BMW 330i ZHP Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Westminster, Colorado iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M2C [0.00] 2020 Audi SQ5 [0.00] 2019 VW Golf Alltrack [0.00] 2018 Ford F150 [0.00] 1977 VW Scirocco [0.00] 2005 BMW 330i ZHP [0.00] 2007 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Timing Belt/Chain Question? So I had some questions about the BMW straight 6 engines. 1. Do they use timing belt or chain (I am guessing the later)? 2. Is it on the front or back of the engine? 3. What is the service interval for replacement? 4. Does it require removal of the engine? My question is in regards to long-term ownership. Thanks, Chuck
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02-07-2007, 10:11 PM	#2
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Chain. Will last the life of the car. __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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02-08-2007, 07:34 PM	#4
mercury26 Lord of the Rings 86 Rep 470 Posts Drives: 20 Audi SQ5,05 BMW 330i ZHP Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Westminster, Colorado iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M2C [0.00] 2020 Audi SQ5 [0.00] 2019 VW Golf Alltrack [0.00] 2018 Ford F150 [0.00] 1977 VW Scirocco [0.00] 2005 BMW 330i ZHP [0.00] 2007 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Yeah, I was about to ask that. My next car (which maybe a BMW) I am planning to own for many years. So I was curious what the replacement timeframe on the chain is, I have heard 100K mi to 150K mi. But figured someone might know, maybe I will mail Bimmer Magazine. Cheers, Chuck
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02-08-2007, 07:39 PM	#5
khafner Private First Class 6 Rep 123 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fulton, ny iTrader: (0)	timing chain On the topic of timing chains does anyone know if our engines are interference engines? If the chain breaks will the piston and valves hit each other and self destruct?
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06-04-2012, 10:46 PM	#6
LaXNTiGA Enlisted Member 4 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2010 328i - Jet Black Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I was looking for this... good to know it's timing chain. However... if you have to do maintenance on the chain...... I wonder how much that would be.
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06-05-2012, 05:34 AM	#7
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The timing chain is a non-maintenance part. It is lubed by the engine oil. It is designed to last the lifetime of the engine just as the crankshaft, wrist bearings, oil pump etc. On modern automobiles, timing chains rarely fail. The last thing you need to worry about failing or replacing on the N52 is the timing chain.
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