3200 cam chains change?

[christophe_autos]

Hello,

Ross said me:

"The cam chains need to be changed every 68,750 miles,
You shall require the following items…

X1 97470 rocker cover gasket £31.68

X6 spark ring for above 14454080 £0.08 each

X4 cam wheel 475036500 £44.68 each

X2 cam chain 479034500 £101.38 each

X4 dowel 311053308 £13.46 each"


My car has 58000 miles, is it easy to change at the same moment than cambelt bearing and waterpump?

What do you think about it?

 

[davy83]

I have not done this job yet as I am not that far down the miles but I don't think you can get at the CAM chains with the engine in situ. So I think your biggest problem is removing the engine to get in at them. I may be wrong in which case some one will be along shortly to correct me, i am basing this on what it looks like to me!

 

[conaero]

The cam chains can be done in situ but its a pig of a job. Its an engine out job if you have never done it before.

I would not bother changing your chains until at least they are due. They rattle when they need changing and that is what I suggest you do....wait till they become noisy.

 

[Rex B]

Most indies do it in situ but its a much bigger job than just the belts and water pump so if they are not due for another 10,000 miles don't do them, who knows what will happen in the next year a two.

Rex B
Manual 3200 56k miles

 

[christophe_autos]

The cam chains can be done in situ but its a pig of a job. Its an engine out job if you have never done it before.

I would not bother changing your chains until at least they are due. They rattle when they need changing and that is what I suggest you do....wait till they become noisy.

Ok so I don't risk to wait?

Chains can't broken as belts?

 

[christophe_autos]

Most indies do it in situ but its a much bigger job than just the belts and water pump so if they are not due for another 10,000 miles don't do them, who knows what will happen in the next year a two.

Rex B
Manual 3200 56k miles

You're right, thanks.

 

[deano]

Hi,i replaced my chains with the engine in situ,it was not to bad a job i thought,just more time consuming than anything,the only tricky part was fitting the peg for the sprocket as dropping it would mean an engineout job,I personnally dont think it is anyworse a job than working on more modern performance engines,It is worth considering the chain guide when replaceing the chains as these are probally subject to more wear than the actaul chain,

 

[beau]

when i inspected mine at 70,000 miles the chains/cogs were perfect condition but the chain guides were worn & cracked, so i replaced these.

 

[deano]

I have witnessed the chain guide wear issue on a variety of manufactures engines now,and from experiance this wear pattern originates early on in the guides life then it tends to stabilise,the issue then arrises as you have said about the guides breaking up,they tend to start chipping and then fineally crack up,so it is certainly worth renewing these.at the allocated service period of the chain

 

[davy83]

Which begs the question of how hard are the chain guides to replace? Anyone just replaced these with the engine in situ?

 

[Rex B]

Hi
The manual shows the Guide being fitted after the cam chains and gears are fitted so presumably replacing the guide can be done without removing the chains. it would appear that you only have to remove the 2 rear covers for each side and then unbolt the guides, its just getting to them and not dropping the fixing bolts, I think I will leave it until I have to do the chains.

Rex B

 

[christophe_autos]

Which begs the question of how hard are the chain guides to replace? Anyone just replaced these with the engine in situ?

Do U think that it's enough to change only guides and not chains?

What need I to buy in this following list?
X1 97470 rocker cover gasket £31.68

X6 spark ring for above 14454080 £0.08 each

X4 cam wheel 475036500 £44.68 each

X2 cam chain 479034500 £101.38 each

X4 dowel 311053308 £13.46 each

Thanks.

 

[beau]

Do U think that it's enough to change only guides and not chains?

I think that's a choice only you can make, we have never seen a chain fail yet and its likely many are 'overdue' replacement, my bmw timing chain was on over 200,000 with no issues

For me, like i said i only did the guides, the chain/pulleys are a very low wear part and the guides do wear out and cost about £20 for the pair

 

[christophe_autos]

I think that's a choice only you can make, we have never seen a chain fail yet and its likely many are 'overdue' replacement, my bmw timing chain was on over 200,000 with no issues

For me, like i said i only did the guides, the chain/pulleys are a very low wear part and the guides do wear out and cost about £20 for the pair

Ok, have you parts number of guides please?

 

[beau]

Ok, have you parts number of guides please?

Part No. 578036700
Sliding block for cam chain

NEW
To Order
£7.09 Each

 

[christophe_autos]

Thank you so much beau.