Timing Chain

ok, do you ever have to change your timing chain because i was told at a bmw dealership that the timing chain is lifetime but i've heard people say that you should change it every 60k miles.

Timming belt you change every 60k. Timming chain you never replace. Unless it breaks and then all your valves get bent then you need a new motor.

so what can i do to prevent my timing chain from ever breaking?

i had a 1985 325e that died because of the timing chain. I was going to get it done that week too! That's when I learned what an interference engine is.

How do you prevent it? Go have your timing chain replaced on a schedule. Will cost about 3 hours in labor and $80 USD for the part. Good time to do the belts as well.

There are no signs. When mine went I was coasting through a turn and then the car just turned off. Nothing dramatic no poof or ball of smoke. It just was working then it wasn't.

Does this apply to '85 318i E30. OR is it a belt or chain in my case? :screwy:

I think the 1985 318i has the m10 engine, and it uses a chain. I was told to replace mine every 50K and also do the tensioner which is a fault in my 91 318i by the dealer. The 325's have belts as far as I saw when I was looking. I came across a nice bit of info then my browser borked on me ugg! Too lazy to go back and search...

In any case what I'd like clarified is which engines will be damaged from a broken timing belt/chain. So far after searching the m20 is certain. The m42 in the 91 318 I think also runs the risk. I didn't see any information on the m10 engine though.

85 318 has a timing chain.. it will not break, it may wear in time, I don't think anybody every told me there timing chain broke.. the belt should be changed every 50k - 60k. they do break and kill your motor..