Timing belt

[87325es]

How often should the timing belt be changed on a 1994 318i?

[bimmerguy82]

Originally Posted by 87325es

How often should the timing belt be changed on a 1994 318i?

Never. It should be a chain.

[Brian325i]

My belt isn't a chain but still very durable on my 325i 1995. I ended up changing my belt at around 100k miles when I changed out my faulty water pump just because I had to take the belt fan off anyways. Plus...they were 100k miles old and looked dirty and aged...

[kol2upt3d]

100k is about right, I changed the timing belt on my Saab and my cousins Bimmer about every 110k...

[bimmerguy82]

Originally Posted by Brian325i

. I ended up changing my belt at around 100k miles when I changed out my faulty water pump just because I had to take the belt fan off anyways. Plus...they were 100k miles old and looked dirty and aged...

I think you are talking about your drive belt. All e36's have TIMING CHAINS that go on the cams and crank. they should not need replacing unless they break.

[fastshivy]

Yup....chains

[jllphan]

indeed, your speaking of the aux belts that drives your waterpump, a/c, alternator, etc. they should be changed every 60K or upon inspection. timing CHAIN is lifetime.

[Brian325i]

Originally Posted by joshsanders82

I think you are talking about your drive belt. All e36's have TIMING CHAINS that go on the cams and crank. they should not need replacing unless they break.

Oh ok, never mind then...those belts must be a lot harder to change, lol.

[Furious]

Originally Posted by jllphan

indeed, your speaking of the aux belts that drives your waterpump, a/c, alternator, etc. they should be changed every 60K or upon inspection. timing CHAIN is lifetime.

+1 the front serpentine belt is only there for accesories.


here is the setup inside the engine that attaches the cams to the crank





this is what you were refering too.. its the accessory belt (alternator, water pump, power steering)