318 timing chain setting m42 engine with out bmw tools
Remove the cam cover, remove the spark plugs, turn the engine to number 1 TDC, put a pencil in spark plug hole number one and twist the crank back and forth and make doubly sure you are at TDC. Now loosen the four bolts at the front of each cam sprocket, check TDC again with the pencil and rocking the crank, now take the pencil and lay it across the flats at the back of each cam. Twist the cams very carefully so that the pencil sits flat on each cam square. Snug up the sprocket bolts and use the pencil to check TDC again! Now check the cams again. Repeat the procedure until you have the cams flat and the engine at TDC.
Not sure which engine you've got as you didn't bother to say. Timing is usually not changed but can be advance or retarded by using offset keys, speaking in general. Not sure why you would want to do that as you also didn't bother to say. What factory tools were you trying to avoid using? Usually you line up two dots and put on the chain and the job is done - tools? Overall I'd have to say - YES
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