94 Timing chain Tensioner....need help
 

I have read this thread and it is what i want to do...
http://www.geocities.com/rick_poon/tensioner.htm

here is my problem. that is done on a 95 M3. i have a 94 325i, and have been looking for the part online and no-one lists a timing chain tensioner for my car. also I typed in his part number, and it showed it but says its not compatable with my 94. I

anyone know what the part number is for my timing chain tensioner, or where to get one for a decent price. the Stealer doesnt know what I am talking about, there not very smart there sometimes. so if anyone can help me....that would be awesome, cause the chain slap sound is really loud now!

here is a picture I found on the BMW parts database, but as you can see it doesnt list the part number for the whole piece, just the individual pieces. I dont want to make one out of all those parts, I just want to buy a new one. will the M3 one fit my car?

my tensioner on the parts page

First you need to know for sure what chain tensioner (guide rail) you have in the car (number 7 on the diagram you mentioned).
Search by your VIN number. After 9/94 they did change rail and tensioner type.
Once you know find US M3 (not euro ECE )(either up to 96 or after 96) with the rail you have (again number 7) and you will know what tensioner you need.
One piece tensioner (which is using also oil preasure to provide more tension on the chain) was mounted only on M3 (it suppose to be a little bit stronger than many piece design tensioner you have but I am not 100% sure about that.
Hope you will find it helpful.

well I did research through the online database, and i found all M50 motors and the m3 motors use the same timing chain tensioner rails. so that should mean that the timing chain tensioner would also be the same filament. does this sound about right to you?

M3 with 3.2 liter (after 96) are using newer design.
If you car is before 9/94 probably you have older design and then you may use tensioner from M3 up to 96 (3.0 liter).
Older design has grove (slot) on the cylinder (part which is pushing guide rail), newer is just flat- no slot.

yeah I was gong to get the part for a pre 96 M3. I seen that they made 2 of them...one for 96-up. anyways I will buy this part and do a writeup on it! thanks for the help!

If this tensioner fails. Will the timing chain "slip" and ruin the engine? Is there any scheduled intervals to replace this tensioner? I am used to timing belts.....

I'm also getting a little close to needing to change my tensioner (can hear a slight clammer/rattle). Any write up on this with pics would be great!!

I thought that only the tensioner piston needed regular replacement and the guide rail lasted 200k easily. The tensioner piston (nearly $100) simply screws out and takes a couple of minutes to replace.

Right - the early tensioner is not easily upgraded to the newer style - found that out the hard way - by experimentation. I have a tech article on this coming soon.

Sounds like you have the right tensioner fingered there...

-Wayne