BMW E30 Timing Belt, Water Pump, Thermostat and Major Service Guide | 316i & 318i, M40 Engine

[@mohamedibraimabraham7644]

Best video on internet about the m40 engine timing belt change

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Mohamed, thanks so much for the encouraging feedback. :) We're intending to produce more guides like this with the e30.

[@etctai]

I have rebuilt an E30 (bought as a dismantled project). Now, it's time to change the timing belt and with the help of this movie, I hope I can do it myself. Thank you very much for sharing your experience, the video is the best ever made!

[@SPANNERRASH]

I hope you find all the information you need in our vid, best of luck with the belt change. :)

[@etctai]

@@SPANNERRASH Yes, the information was very useful, the car has already traveled several thousand km. Thanks again! All the best!

[@FOXeye95]

Have an E36 with the M40 aswell, exactly same as this one. This is super helpful!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Ricardo! 😁

[@19astrasport]

Great video. Have a 318i m40 engine so will be able to change timing belt myself now. Thanks!!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Petter, glad to have helped, good luck with your belt change!

[@davehammond3718]

Hi guys, just watched this video (nearly a year late) Good to see one about the smaller engined cars like the M40, not enough on you-tube! Very instructive as well. I bought one of these 7 years ago, a very original car, but I didn't change the cam belt strait away and yes you guessed it, it broke! I was lucky though nothing else was damaged (I don't know how) Anyway, if anyone is looking for the ICV it is under the intake at the rear near the bulkhead and not too hard to reach. There is a flat cranked spanner you can buy to remove the fan and viscous hub, which makes things easier and it will fit other BMWs. Keep up the good work.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Dave! Sounds like you were very lucky indeed with that one. Thanks for sharing that info about the ICV too.

[@malcolmneme6924]

I can't say thank you enough for this video!. I just picked up a 91 318i about a month ago and I will be doing the timing belt soon. Huge thanks for putting up this video!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Malcolm, I tried to make it as detailed as possible so people could follow along. Hope it helps you out! 👍

[@bmw-e30]

Great video, camera work and tutorial excellent. The M40 is a suberb engine, they all sound like a diesel. You are probably aware that the viscous fan is a left hand thread but just thought I'd mention it.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers for the kind words John, hope our vid helps you out if you're taking this job on yourself. :) Great point on the viscous fan, should have mentioned that!

[@bmw-e30]

@@SPANNERRASH Definitely wouldn't attempt it without this video.

[@snoork007]

Thank you so much, I just got my first e30 318i and I'm changing everything as a precaution...I didn't see cam seal or crankshaft seal and I thought it was part of the service..definitely not trying to be rude just wondering ..thanks again

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, good luck with the 318i. I would recommend not changing those unless they need it. Mine were good and no leaks, so happy days.

[@fergucas]

Very good job, I'm doong it now in my m40. An aditional tip: the water pump has two holes not used for fitting. If you put a screw in that holes and press to the end, the pump comes out easily

[@SPANNERRASH]

Our experience of using these was that they snapped off very quickly.. Seems to be a common problem, but a smart first port of call indeed :)

[@dimilad]

Your video is great and your explanation is pretty straightforward. The timing belt on these engines are a very weak spot. I am planning to do mine soon, It's been sitting for a couple of years. Aside from the typical stuff, is there anything else that you would suggest to change?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yeah I prefer engines with a chain for this reason, its quite a big and annoying job to change the belt, and leaving it is not an option at all. Luckily, this particular timing belt job isn't too bad as the E30 is quite sweet to work on versus more modern tightly packed engine bays. I think the service in this vid is pretty thorough. Unless something is broken I couldn't think of much more to add. Hope it works well for you!

[@ViikatemiesFIN]

Great video. What is the purpose of the wiring that goes into the bonnet? I don't have it. Also, I would love to see a tutorial how to change those hydraulic lifters (and camshaft).

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks! Hmm, I thought that wiring was stock. It may be part of the old Clifford alarm system which was fitted to the car but not functioning. I'll look into that and try to figure out what they do, hopefully nothing so I can get rid of them with the alarm system. :) Not sure I'll ever change the camshaft or lifters in the M40 as I'm planning to do an engine swap down the line.

[@admiralaids1203]

a little bit late, but the wiring that goes into the bonnet is for the heated sprayer nozzles

[@bartozoz99]

Awesome video, just bought a 316i and it's not had a cambelt since 2003! First on the priorities list. Thanks!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Bart, sounds like yours is well overdue too! I'd definitely have a go at that ASAP for peace of mind.

[@RaMa-kr9gm]

what ??? 20 years with the same cambelt ? amazing...

[@LeachieLand]

Thanks, I've been looking for this for a long time. Is the best movie on the net. Regards David. ;)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hope it helps you out, David! :) Thank you

[@turbokitties]

Great video! I was reading your blog post on your website previous to finding this. Thank you from Vermont, USA!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you! 😃 I hope the guide/s have proved useful for you.

[@jannowak4977]

One of the easier engine to change timing set :)

[@bhandbra]

Hi, Mr. Spanner! Great video, very comprehensive, detailed, and great production quality! Quick question, Is this tutorial applicable to E36s with M40B18 engine? Is there any different steps or parts to buy? Thank you in advance!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi there, the E36 with M40B18 should be extremely similar if not identical to this. It's wise to cross-reference any service parts before purchase but I believe the M40 was the same between E36 and E30.

[@bhandbra]

@@SPANNERRASH ah okay got it, thank you again sir!

[@SeventyRS]

I was just reading this online. Same car, same person. Lol. I'm really happy I was able to find the video version as well. Thank you for taking the time to post this. I have a 318i touring that needs the same things done. Do you still have this car?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, sounds like you found it on our blog first. :) Really hope the vid helps you out with your E30 too. I still have the car, but its turning into a much bigger project, check out my other videos if you're interested.

[@zeka827]

Great work Spanner I have one question about crankshaft sensor... on this clip, I can see wire that goes from sensor, and it seems that it ends near distributor cap, and it looks like it's broken. Same thing is with my sensor, but in my case, wire is directly connected to one of the distributor cap cables. It's confusing because when I search on internet, crankshaft sensor has a 3 pin connector that goes to Harness Loom.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks! Hmm this was a very long time ago and this engine is no longer in this car. But I vaguely remember that there was a circular thing around one of the ht leads. I think it was connected to the crankshaft sensor. But replacement ht leads don't have it.

[@Πατριωτης-ξ3χ]

Bravo all the best froom greece

[@ChipKaelin]

I am currently also doing the same job - but i also need to replace the CAM shaft. Can I follow the same steps up and to actual cam belt replacement (taking belt of and then replacing cam shaft, obv ensurring when putting it back that timing is correct etc)?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yes that should work. I don't know if you will need new shells for the cam caps. I haven't got my workshop manuals to look. I would check RealOEM to see if there are any other parts needed.

[@akbarhantar6184]

So helpfull.. Thank you so much mate.. :)

[@philipbrodermann6867]

Excellent work. Thank you so much!

[@bombakdik]

Already did one myself but nice video. New subscriber. Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪 Edit: did you forget to put the gasket on the water pump? Apart from the o-ring?

[@polloloci21]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing

[@bogdanmaria8621]

Could you do this job without those Locking Tools or are they necessary?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I personally would not like to attempt this job without the proper timing locking tools. I think they are worth the money, especially as these engines need regular belt changes. I have heard of people changing timing belts in a pinch by slicing the old timing belt in half lengthways and removing half of it to give room to slip the new belt on. However I have never attempted this myself, and if it goes wrong you could end up making a lot of trouble for yourself trying to time your engine again.

[@nilsanderseliasson4134]

hello, im currently renovating the head on my M40B18, and im wondering how i should go on if the head has been completely removed and all new parts inside. the engine block is locked via the same method you guys showed. but how do i get the correct timeing on the camshaft? so i dont just screw the engine immediately. best regards nils from sweden :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Nils, if the bottom end is pinned in place, then position the cam with the timing mark in the correct place and use the cam locking tool. Then fit the belt. It should be as simple as that. Bear in mind that the ignition timing needs to be set so that it fires on the correct cylinder. Hope that helps!

[@smilestudio6386]

Thank information

[@khayajmahxyz]

great video, keep it up guys

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers! There's certainly more to come from us! :D

[@stephenport4768]

I think I've still got my original locking pin for the M40 engine

[@dric3694]

What is that cable hanging in 34:26? The one that isn’t connected to anything.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Many have enquired about the unplugged connector found in the engine bay of an E30, but thus far there's no answer to the mystery. My old E30 318is had the same unplugged connector and many others have reported having it too. Whatever it's for, it's surplus to requirements on lots of cars. If you ever find out please do let me know! 😆

[@dric3694]

@@SPANNERRASH really don't know what's it for too after disassembling my engine and trynna see if it connects to something

[@martinrychlik4753]

Very good video So the belt tension can be adjusted by torque wrench at 1,6Nm?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks! I'd strongly recommend picking up some luggage scales to tension the timing belt using the same method we used, but it's not uncommon for people to come up with equivalent torque settings. It depends on how willing you are to take the risk.. :)

[@Thumpfy]

Greetings from Austria, how or where did you get the data with 8.5cm and 2kg for the toothed belt?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi there, I can't remember exactly, it might have been Haynes manual or similar resource at the time. I promise I didn't make it up. The M40 engine ran great afterwards. 😁

[@gunny355]

Great video guys! one quick question though. after tensioning the belt and you turn the engine a couple times. do you need to check the tension again? Or is it fine with the first setting? just bought myself one and i'm going to change the belt soon. thx in advance!!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi gunny355, it can't hurt to give it another wiggle to check, but generally speaking, once you've got the belt in the right place and have tensioned it carefully/correctly, it shouldn't change again. Hope this helps :)

[@gunny355]

@@SPANNERRASH hello again, yes absolutly ! I'm going for it when the parts arive. thx alot!

[@iblackymb]

I love you mate, so helpfull.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hahaha, glad its helped mate!

[@adrianpurtan]

hello, i have M40B16 engine on my bmw e30, in idle is shaking. did you meet this issiue?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi, I've not had that issue with my engine, although I'm told a common cause for a rough idle would be vacuum leaks. Have a check around the pipework and you may find your problem. Hope that helps

[@JoaoMiguel-pl4wi]

Thanks for the vídeo, what is the name of the tube that is above the camshaft and that dispenses oil? is it replaceable?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi João, I believe it's simply called an oil feed pipe, and it can be replaced. I think this is the one, but please double check compatibility with your M40 car to make sure: ebay.us/LjeY1Z Hope that helps!

[@FOXeye95]

Do I need to take all things off to check the timing? Mine after a drive lost all power and works like it's on two cylinders. People said my timing could be thrown off as I already replaced spark plugs, cables, distributor cover and rotor and it's still the same. There's spark, there's fuel , the MAF works idk what should I do. I don't have a cam lock tool

[@FOXeye95]

Also could it be a bad crankshaft sensor? Months ago it failed due to floods , I let the car dry off stopped and worked back again ( I noticed back then it was that because it ran bad and the rev gauge was all over the place)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Ricardo, my advice would be to take the covers off the front of the engine to first check the timing marks are correct for the camshaft. You can also whip the rocker cover off and check it there. (note the 2 dots on the front side in the vid when I talk about locking it in the vid). If your timing belt is old and overdue it may well have slipped, at which point I'd definitely recommend that locking tool to hold the cam in correct place when replacing the belt. Bear in mind its under valve spring pressure.

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@FOXeye95 From my understanding, if your crank position sensor had failed, there would be no spark and/or fuel. You mentioned you have both of these. Give all the connectors a good clean and see if that helps, you might be lucky. :)

[@FOXeye95]

@@SPANNERRASH whole distribution was changed last year in August/September the CPS when testing voltage gave bad readings hence it being my suspect. That and it failing last year (car is low and I passed on a "flooded"part of the road wich made me loose even power steering at the time. A faulty CPS could still give spark and fuel not just the correct amount/timing right? I have all of these issues: www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@FOXeye95 you could still get spark and fuel if it was intermittent. If its not too expensive, i'd say swap it out. If its fixed then great, if its not, at least you rule it out. Hope you manage to solve it!

[@jannowak4977]

To easily remove cranckshaft V-belt pulley get the car in fifth gear and use the handbrake so powerful so you can and it's going without problems :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thats a great idea, thanks!

[@jamessandoval9105]

Another question my car, same as yours has very poor idle I was wondering if u knew where the ICV for this car

[@SPANNERRASH]

I think the ICV is underneath the intake manifold on the M40, so not very convenient.. Cleaning up the throttle cable spring etc really helped with the idle on mine which was lucky! Maybe you should try that first?

[@zlatkofilipovic1509]

Temperature litle high again ?! Change Visco fan ,that is nummer one problem on 316 318 .....

[@SPANNERRASH]

Absolutely, they are a very common failure on these, especially at this age.

[@jamessandoval9105]

I plan on flushing the coolant system in my 316i. what coolant is best to use?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi James, I'd stick with the standard BMW blue coolant. Can't go wrong with that!

[@errolryan5467]

🔥

[@jfneves01]

Wich is the size of the allen key?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I think its a 6, but I can't remember for certain

[@turbokitties]

I’m actually doing this swap right this moment on my e30, I used an 8.

[@Fredzor96]

11:20 it happen exactly like that to me

[@SPANNERRASH]

Pretty annoying, right!? Those water pump ears seem useless to me..

[@prza4783]

Never knew BMW had cars with Timing Belts, I thought they had Timing Chains only, like Mercedes used to have always

[@SPANNERRASH]

Most of them are chain, but there are a few, especially of this generation, which are belts. This M40, and its 6-cyl stablemate the M20 - both belts. I prefer chain though, its one less thing to worry about (usually).

[@valpovirk4384]

Not supposed to flip the VSCO like that

[@TimSlee1]

I can see why people cave in and decide to swap the little M40 once they have the funds.. Me and dad want to keep it running as is till i'm on an open license so this video comes in handy.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Glad the vid is useful for you Tim. The M40 is a little tank of an engine and can go on forever, but more power is always welcome hence my eventual decision to go M52 swap.

[@TimSlee1]

Nice, what M52 do you plan on swapping into it? I've only been able to find a couples 323i's on Ebay Australia.@@SPANNERRASH