Bmw 325i E36 timing chains vanos

[Liteace]

Hi All, Has anyone ever changed the timing chains on a Bmw 325i E36 with vanos, it says in the TIS that special tools are needed, can it be done without. This one has a slightly noisy top chain could it be down to low oil pressure in the vanos unit???

Thanks
Steve

[o-dog]

Special tools are needed to fix the camshafts and to fix the crankshaft.I don't think it's the secondary chain that makes the noise.Check both chain tensioners.

[Liteace]

It is the secondary chain as the noise is comming from the front of the head between the 2 cams further down where the main chain runs its quite

[teuton]

special tools needed to do it quickly and accurately. Might check it out on bimmerforums.

[roby]

Hi remember if you change those parts of timing chain set all have to be replaced: chains,all tensioners guide rails and tensioning pistons.

Timing can be set without special tools but camshafts have to be aligned precisely.

[thanassis]

maybe you need a tensioner if it is make a lot of noise....

[mmcd]

look at www.beisansystem.com (http://www.beisansystem.com) very detial explanation of eveything you need to know and how to do it with which tools .regards mike

[muttsnuts2370]

Vanos units are a bloody disaster of an idea. Just done an E36 325i where the vanos unit jammed and allowed the exhaust valves to touch the pistons (YES it can happen on these engines) timing was perfect ie no jumped teeth on either of the chains, Just a small "cough" and a rattle (according to the customer) and it had sh*t itself!

Try this link
Pelican Technical Article: BMW Camshaft Timing and Vanos Unit Installation (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Timing/E36-Camshaft-Timing.htm)

there is a lot of good info in the techarticles that cover vanos units, head removal, timing chains etc etc.

Regards,
Mutt.

Heres to the vanos unit :congrats: