question while replacing timing belt
 

Hey all. I am currently replacing my timing belt, and have run into a little question. I noticed that when my camshaft was in TDC the crank was not (according to Bently's) or at least the marks on the vibration dampener did not line up with that on the engine, while the camshaft marks did. The engine ran fine before i started to take it apart so my question is should i leave it like it is, or correct the the crank so the marks line up? its only off by about 2 inches, but im wondering how i should put it all back together. thank you

i'd always err on the side of the book/bmw factory stampings. make sure you bar the engine over by hand after everything is assembled to ensure a non-interfering top and bottom end.

88ix,
For every rotation of the cam shaft, the crank shaft rotates twice. If you turn your crank shaft one more revolution, you should find both of your timing marks lined up.

yurick,

i very much respect your posts, however, it's the other way around. cam spins at 1/2 speed of crankshaft.

ok, dislexia....i'll shut up now

I always find it best just reset the timing when ever I change a timing belt. That way you have no doubts about it being off or wrong. Always go by what the book reccomends. For all you know it could have slipped over years of usage.

VIDA,
Six to one, half-a-dozen to another.......:)

thank you all. I did just have to spin the crank one more time and it lined up perfectly.

replaced the belt and distributer cap and rotor and she runs like a dream.

now to replace the wheel bearings :rolleyes: