How to change timing in N42 N46 N45 - BMW engine timing

This is my video on how to change timing on N42B20, N42B18, N46B20 engines. This is super similar to N45 engines so don't be afraid to watch it before you try to change it. I tried my best to show as much as possible and to make video enjoyable to watch. It is not super difficult and I believe you can do it yourself.
Apart from common hand tools you'd need a set of engine locks or blockades to time the engine correctly and a torque wrench. BMW is very easy to work on so don't be afraid and if you have any questions leave them in the comments or reach out on IG ;)
Have a good one!
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[@RubenLightfoot]

Great video - really helpful. I was puzzled by the balance shafts but eventually found N45 does not have balance shafts so this can be simply skipped for anyone else here with N45!

[@gorillaprojectcar]

yes, you are correct. That was my mistake... trying to make things too fast and missing few details. n45 do not have balancing shafts 🫡

[@MatthewSimm]

If anyone is inserting the locking tool all the way, but it keeps spinning, some models (i think n46) need a longer locking tool (only about 1cm longer) as the locking tool in the kit doesnt reach the flywheel. Just an fyi for anyone that might need it now or in the future 😀

[@belos65]

Hello! Thanks! too good Video. You say that you need to change the timing chain and timing chain tensioner after 150,000 km. Bmw tells me I never need to replace any of this. They say it lasts the entire life of the car. My daughter lost a lot of money because her Bmw 318i N43 Year model 2009, the timing chain skipped a couple of teeth. And the valves hit the piston on 2 out of 4 cylinders, when her Bmw had gone 245000 km. Thanks! from Tommy Bertilsson from Sweden

[@gorillaprojectcar]

The average lifespan of this chain and guides is 150kkm in my opinion. I know bmw says something else but the chain tends to stretch and it hits plastic guides pretty hard then they crack, block oil feed and you have a catastrophic failure… preventive maintenance is the best way to go. I’ve seen original 260kkm timings but only once. All depends on how the car is used. The M series engines had a lot better chains and guides. Those were able to handle lifetime of the car. Cheers 🍻

[@nitramh24]

Awesome! I'm doing valve stem seals on my daughters N45 oil burner next weekend. When you reinstall the vanos cogs, do you have to count the links on the timing chain? Or do you just pull the chain tight? Cheers, very instructive and helpful video!!

[@gorillaprojectcar]

just put them in as they go and before you fully tighten the chain it'll self adjust. Some people call cars like this a hybrid, burns petrol and oil xD I'm glad the video helped :D

[@nitramh24]

@@gorillaprojectcar Thanks! Yes, the car definitely is a twostroke at the moment, hoping that the new valve seals will reduce the oil consumption a bit though😂

[@occasieauto]

Hello, thank you for this video. I have a question? Did you just open the oil leven sensor to balance the oil pump? And you inserted the tool through the this hole without opening oil sump? and open pully screw (hub) without special tools? is that possible? You are a magician💯💯💯

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Hi! I am not using the special tool for balancing shafts ;) just eyeball it and after you get it wrong once you’ll get it right every time 😂 Regarding pulley screw tools, I didn’t even know they existed 🤣 I know there are special tools for all kind of things but sometimes they are not that necessary. Timing set is a must but you can manage without other things 🙂

[@whateverrrrrr123]

wow you made it look easy

[@gorillaprojectcar]

thanks but when you do it couple of times it becomes easy ;)

[@whateverrrrrr123]

@@gorillaprojectcarmind is auto trans the flywheel locking would be tricky right?

[@whateverrrrrr123]

@@gorillaprojectcaralso how do you bring back jump chain?

[@gorillaprojectcar]

just teke off the steel plate that covers part of flywheel and you can see the place where the pin should be placed. being auto doesn't make it more difficult. just make sure your engine in first work stage. first piston in TDC for sucking phase 🤣 otherwise vanos will be upside down and timing set will not work well

[@gorillaprojectcar]

if the chain jumped there was a readon for it. setting it back correctly will maybe fix it for a while but it'll be a really short while. if chain jumps a tooth or more your tensioner can be bad, your chain can be stretched too much or your chain guides are busted. either way the whole thing should be replaced to avoid the issues in the future. If your chaing guides are not all in one piece I'd also recommend checking and probably changing oil pickup as it can be clogged. I was replacing an engine in one car this year. mechanic changed the timing but didn't even take out pieces of old guides from oil pan in effect oil pickup got clogged and the head had oil starvation issue which lead to overheating of the exhaust cam and it broke in half

[@dominichernandez8087]

Hi, I want to change the timing chain and guides in my N46 engine (just preventive) it has 101.000 km. Is it really necessary to drop the oil pan? Timing guide is not broken. What precautions should I take to make sure I don't move the balancing shafts? Thx

[@RealBadPing]

Hello! I can’t find Top dead center. I removed the little panel protecting the flywheel. I can see the hole when rotating the crank. I can’t get the pin into the hole. Please help.. i only have a few days left to do this job..

[@zsiga6244]

just asking for n45b16A you just need to insert the pin in to the flywheel and don't need any adjustion after that just the tool kit? I want to change mine but this seems too simple (i've done for vw polo and that was not this easy)

[@gorillaprojectcar]

It really is that easy. Just properly mounted tool kit

[@wonderwalls3565]

You know how to flush heater core in N46 engine in 120i E87?

[@speed_is_power4891]

how do you align the flywheel with the locking tool i’ve been turning the crank so much and the tool is just not locking the flywheel what do i do it’s an n42 engine

[@gorillaprojectcar]

There is a metal plate you can take off to see better but it just takes practice. My first few times it took me up to 20 minutes not it’s a matter of one minute

[@maxvansas2063]

How did you lock the crankshaft and to what nm did you tighten it?

[@gorillaprojectcar]

There is a pin with a timing set to lock it. 300nm

[@wonderwalls3565]

Cant we just add a loinger tensioner?

[@gaussman7778]

It's a probleem if i turn crancksaft counterclockwise ? How can i know that the pin is fitted in de flywheel ? Thanks

[@gorillaprojectcar]

if you put the pin inside correctly the crank will not move almost at all. there is a tiny play there. you can take a plate that covers the flywheel next to oil pan that is bolted to the gearbox and see it ;)

[@gaussman7778]

@@gorillaprojectcar thanks

[@aVeyt]

I need to replace timing chain + other parts on my 318i n42 e46, someone told me I need to drop oil pan and for dropping oil pan I need to drop alot other stuff too...Is that really the case?

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Depends. If you take out all plastic guides you can do it without taking oil pan off but if any piece is missing you need to drop oil pan. If you leave the plastic pieces in oil pan they will clog oil pick up and starve the engine. I think in this video I said how to set balancing shafts which takes practice but is possible.

[@aVeyt]

@@gorillaprojectcar Thanks for the reply bro! I will try to work on my car when timing chain and guides arrives! :)

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Glad to help :) I wish you luck and in case you have more questions I’m also on FB, IG and TT but I’m working on my house so I’m slow with replying ;)

[@aVeyt]

@@gorillaprojectcar Haha bro good luck with house! I got my chain and guides delivered today, now I need to wait for those timing tools :)

[@gorillaprojectcar]

@@aVeyt take your time and don't rush it. I bet you can make it ;)

[@alexeyiversen6475]

Top! 💯👍👍👍

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Thanks

[@mahamedahmed4908]

Hi! I Couldn’t find where should I stop the pin it’s very hard to see on video

[@gorillaprojectcar]

unfortunately that's the best I could do, no lift makes it super difficult... if you google "n42 timing" there should be a blueprint under the graphics ;)

[@cossu83]

How much tension did you put to the dummy tensioner?

[@gorillaprojectcar]

I do it by feel so hard to say 🤣

[@selenawhite1495]

How difficult is this to do for a first time

[@gorillaprojectcar]

If say 5/10 for the first time ;)

[@AdamasayAkargbo-yy5gs]

How t o set bmw roskers n46b18a

[@gorillaprojectcar]

You mean rockers? You don’t set them on the n42/n46 engines. They use hydraulic lifters so if you have a ticking noise coming from there it’s probably one of your lifter that’s given up

[@MiodragMartinovicRSIK]

TOP 💪💪💪🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Thanks a lot. Hope it helps someone 💪

[@Re1nTs]

hey! i changed chain and rails,but car still wont start. In live data,ex vanos sensor is not working, but sensor is good. any ideas? bad ecu?

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Issues like that are difficult to diagnose from afar. I’d check crank sensor and double check the timing 😉

[@Re1nTs]

​@@gorillaprojectcargot the car running few months back! Was low compression due to many start attempts(cyl washdown)

[@dawer161]

Siemka jak można się z tobą skontaktować bo mam problem z swoim n42 ewentualnie przyprowadzić ci samochód na warsztat

[@gorillaprojectcar]

Cześć. Najłatwiej znaleźć mnie na instagramie albo na Facebooku :)

[@dawer161]

@@gorillaprojectcar wysłałem wiadomosc na maila z FB i Messenger 😉 był bym wdzięczny za szybki kontakt pozdrawiam