Packer Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 I must apologise for posting some incorrect information. Sorry, I should have double checked it before posting. I was sure it was at the back but your photo proves otherwise. I was reading a thread on replacing the timing chain the other day which detailed it being at the back, but having gone back to it now it was on an N47 engine not an M43. Seems that BMW have it at the front on some engines and the rear on others, which surprises me. Sorry again and hope this did not cause you too much confusion! (I still say that leak is from the valve cover though - never heard of anyone having a leak fro the timing cover) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 You can see the chain when you take off the oil filler cap - at the front I'd say that leak is coming from the chain cover. Mine leaks slightly but not enough to affect the level on the dip stick. I wonder if it's a difficult job? Also have a good look around the oil filter housing cos if it's leaking there it's quite easy to change the gasket. I done mine a couple of years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 The timing cover can leak at the joins as the gaskets wear down... especially where it curves. Reluctantly, I was going to do this job but i was lucky as my leak was coming from the thermostat housing as was therefore coolant not oil. The timing case is in two parts (top and bottom) - There is a lot to take off to remove it. heres the thread i started which is related... the realoem links are in there too for the timing case parts http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/45516-is-there-coolant-or-oil-behind-the-timing-case-leak-found/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Anyone done the timing chain cover gaskets?? Im half way through taking it off , got the large pulley off , belts off , radiator rocker cover & the top half of the timing chain cover! The bottom half wont come off , thinking i have to take the air con pump with the pulley off?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Anyone thinking about doing the timing case gasket , i would highly advise not to unless its bad like mine (getting through 2 litres in 3 weeks) . . its taken me so much time to get the timing case cover off , its a joke! Part you need Animal of a job! JayP07 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packer Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Urgh that looks like a tough job. Well done for getting it done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Its a b*stard! BMW sneakily change the sizes of the bolts in the toughest of angles which takes up most of the time! The last bolt took me an hour to remove using a 1/2" socket , short extension & a 5/16 ring spanner! They really dont want yo doing it yourself believe me! JayP07 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Well Done Docz! Thats exactly how I expected it to feel after having a look at it...I hope i don't have to do it. Did you undo any of it from under the car or all from the top? How much did you pay for the bits you've shown? Did the case come off without having to remove the water pump or is it just sitting in there loose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Well Done Docz! Thats exactly how I expected it to feel after having a look at it...I hope i don't have to do it. Did you undo any of it from under the car or all from the top? How much did you pay for the bits you've shown? Did the case come off without having to remove the water pump or is it just sitting in there loose... It's an awful job mate , i hope you dont have to for your sake! Done some of it from underneath , so jacked the car up & took the drivers wheel off! Some of the bolts you cant see from under the bonnet so its on the floor you go! Parts cost me £67 for the bits in the picture shown but im still going to have to buy the rocker cover gasket , so nearer the £80 mark in total. Pretty shocking they don't do a gasket set to be honest , instead of buying all the bits seperatley with the risk of missing bits out! Water pump stays in there , securely attatched , again another poor design in my opinion! All the things i have removed have to be taken off to renew the water pump The air con pump has to be removed & then the bracket the air con pump sits on has to be removed too which is proberly the hardest job of all! JayP07 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Damn!! ... I've got a horrible feeling I'm going to have to do this. Just when it couldn't get any worse... That's not a cheap job at all then you have to add in the new oil/gasket sealant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) Yep its not a cheap job . .put it this way if my water pump goes , my car will be on autotrader the following day Edited July 2, 2013 by Docz2K9 JayP07 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Found this mate... http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1779151-DIY-M44-318-Timing-Case-Cover-Gaskets-and-Chain-Guides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Anyone been busy with their M43 318? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Yep… I've come out of hibernation … Had to top up the oil the other day and it looks like Im definitely going to have to do the timing chain gasket absolutely dreading it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 It can't be too bad can it? How much oil is it leaking? Mines got a slight leak around that area but not enough to affect the level on the dip stick. It just makes the engine bay look a bit untidy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I haven't done anything over the winter then last week the oil light came on and I had to put a bottle in so its got to be pretty bad… plus like you said it looked a mess. I hate seeing that oil path along the seam. I've cleaned it all up to see where the oil springs from first before i do anything drastic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 It doesn't look great! I think with a bit of time and patience the gasket wouldn't be too bad. Anyone else been busy with their m43? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euge Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I am just about the do the same seal on my M43, I am going to replace the upper steel gasket, and the profile gasket, just waiting on parts to turn up on monday/tuesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
