Timing Chain

[tony w]

Hi I have just bought a e30 320i 1984.the service record states that the cam belt was changed at 147k the car has done 150k, i was told that this car has a timing chain (by the seller)that never needs changing. i get confused with timing chains and cam belts so is the cam belt and timing belt/chain one and the same and if not does the chain need replacing as there is no record.

thanks tony

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Thinking yours has the M20 unit with Cam-Belt... Timing chain arrived around 1988 !

[tony w]

Thinking yours has the M20 unit with Cam-Belt... Timing chain arrived around 1988 !

thanks dabsy thats one less job to do then.

[val-borntobefree]

if you got a cam belt hun it will need changing.......I think Dabsy will agree with that

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

If you trust the service record then @3k this belt is fine for another 30k+, I personally hate cam belts and I always replace them when I buy a car (just for peace of mind)...

[Guest DazH]

Same lump as me. Timing belt wrapped around a SOHC :) Get it changed. You dont want it to snap and end up with Dale Winton valves....

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Hahahahahaha "Bent".... Penny took a while to drop Daz :lol:

[tony w]

If you trust the service record then @3k this belt is fine for another 30k+, I personally hate cam belts and I always replace them when I buy a car (just for peace of mind)...

thanks for the reply, i also hav a receipt from the garage that did the job in 2010 detailing the parts used and the cost £246 so i am reasonably happy with that.

[Guest DazH]

thanks for the reply, i also hav a receipt from the garage that did the job in 2010 detailing the parts used and the cost £246 so i am reasonably happy with that.

Sounds good to me. I would personally give it a quick visual inspection but typically, thats fine