BMW E30 Timing Belt, Water Pump, Thermostat and Major Service Guide

BMW E30 Timing Belt, Water Pump, Thermostat and Major Service Guide | 316i & 318i, M40 Engine

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4 жыл бұрын

BMW E30 Timing Belt, Water Pump, Thermostat and Major Service Guide | 316i & 318i, M40 Engine
Parts list:
M40 Timing Locking Tool: ebay.us/Qzgycp
INA M40 Timing Belt Kit: ebay.us/UD0eSt
ContiTech V-Belt: ebay.us/Ayh8EQ
Gates V-Belt: ebay.us/NkBQBz
Water pump: ebay.us/CFrEfz
Thermostat: ebay.us/ifyRvk
BGA Rocker Cover Gasket: ebay.us/NkmrrP
Denso Spark Plugs: ebay.us/nzBqNH
Fram Fuel Filter: ebay.us/fcOZiF
Crossland Air Filter: tidd.ly/2351d92b
Fram Oil Filter: ebay.us/FgPOuB
Triple QX 10w40 Oil: ebay.us/N4BBXg
Wynn’s Engine Flush: ebay.us/Z4h1qb
Triple QX Coolant: tidd.ly/a985ba21
Visit our blog for an even more detailed guide on this service: www.spannerras...
In this video, we replace the cam belt, water pump, thermostat, aux belts, spark plugs, gaskets, filters, oil and coolant on my recently acquired 1990 BMW E30 316i Coupe with the M40B16 four-cylinder engine.
The 1.6 engine had 103000 miles on it and the timing belt hadn’t been changed for 18 years prior, so it was well overdue!
I’ve got long-term plans for this E30 but for now, I want to ensure the car is a going concern and old M40 engine keeps it running as a rolling restoration project.
This how-to guide should also apply to 318i E30s and also BMW E36 models with the M40 engine too!
As an Amazon Associate, Ebay Partner and Awin Affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Some of our links are affiliate links, and if you decide to purchase things through them, we earn a small commission. It costs you nothing but helps us to keep the content coming. Thanks for your support!

Пікірлер: 103

@mohamedibraimabraham7644 4 жыл бұрын

Best video on internet about the m40 engine timing belt change

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mohamed, thanks so much for the encouraging feedback. :) We're intending to produce more guides like this with the e30.

@etctai 3 жыл бұрын

I have rebuilt an E30 (bought as a dismantled project). Now, it's time to change the timing belt and with the help of this movie, I hope I can do it myself. Thank you very much for sharing your experience, the video is the best ever made!

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

I hope you find all the information you need in our vid, best of luck with the belt change. :)

@etctai 2 жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH Yes, the information was very useful, the car has already traveled several thousand km. Thanks again! All the best!

@FOXeye95 4 жыл бұрын

Have an E36 with the M40 aswell, exactly same as this one. This is super helpful!

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers Ricardo! 😁

@19astrasport 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Have a 318i m40 engine so will be able to change timing belt myself now. Thanks!!

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Petter, glad to have helped, good luck with your belt change!

@davehammond3718 3 жыл бұрын

Hi guys, just watched this video (nearly a year late) Good to see one about the smaller engined cars like the M40, not enough on you-tube! Very instructive as well. I bought one of these 7 years ago, a very original car, but I didn't change the cam belt strait away and yes you guessed it, it broke! I was lucky though nothing else was damaged (I don't know how) Anyway, if anyone is looking for the ICV it is under the intake at the rear near the bulkhead and not too hard to reach. There is a flat cranked spanner you can buy to remove the fan and viscous hub, which makes things easier and it will fit other BMWs. Keep up the good work.

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave! Sounds like you were very lucky indeed with that one. Thanks for sharing that info about the ICV too.

@malcolmneme6924 Жыл бұрын

I can't say thank you enough for this video!. I just picked up a 91 318i about a month ago and I will be doing the timing belt soon. Huge thanks for putting up this video!

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Thanks Malcolm, I tried to make it as detailed as possible so people could follow along. Hope it helps you out! 👍

@bmw-e30 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, camera work and tutorial excellent. The M40 is a suberb engine, they all sound like a diesel. You are probably aware that the viscous fan is a left hand thread but just thought I'd mention it.

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers for the kind words John, hope our vid helps you out if you're taking this job on yourself. :) Great point on the viscous fan, should have mentioned that!

@bmw-e30 3 жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH Definitely wouldn't attempt it without this video.

@LeachieLand 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I've been looking for this for a long time. Is the best movie on the net. Regards David. ;)

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Hope it helps you out, David! :) Thank you

@jannowak4977 4 жыл бұрын

One of the easier engine to change timing set :)

@fergucas 3 жыл бұрын

Very good job, I'm doong it now in my m40. An aditional tip: the water pump has two holes not used for fitting. If you put a screw in that holes and press to the end, the pump comes out easily

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Our experience of using these was that they snapped off very quickly.. Seems to be a common problem, but a smart first port of call indeed :)

@bartozoz99 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, just bought a 316i and it's not had a cambelt since 2003! First on the priorities list. Thanks!

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Bart, sounds like yours is well overdue too! I'd definitely have a go at that ASAP for peace of mind.

@RaMa-kr9gm Жыл бұрын

what ??? 20 years with the same cambelt ? amazing...

@turbokitties Жыл бұрын

Great video! I was reading your blog post on your website previous to finding this. Thank you from Vermont, USA!

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😃 I hope the guide/s have proved useful for you.

@akbarhantar6184 3 жыл бұрын

So helpfull.. Thank you so much mate.. :)

@philipbrodermann6867 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent work. Thank you so much!

@polloloci21 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for sharing

@dimilad 3 ай бұрын

Your video is great and your explanation is pretty straightforward. The timing belt on these engines are a very weak spot. I am planning to do mine soon, It's been sitting for a couple of years. Aside from the typical stuff, is there anything else that you would suggest to change?

@SPANNERRASH 3 ай бұрын

Yeah I prefer engines with a chain for this reason, its quite a big and annoying job to change the belt, and leaving it is not an option at all. Luckily, this particular timing belt job isn't too bad as the E30 is quite sweet to work on versus more modern tightly packed engine bays. I think the service in this vid is pretty thorough. Unless something is broken I couldn't think of much more to add. Hope it works well for you!

@khayajmahxyz 4 жыл бұрын

great video, keep it up guys

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers! There's certainly more to come from us! :D

@SeventyRS 2 жыл бұрын

I was just reading this online. Same car, same person. Lol. I'm really happy I was able to find the video version as well. Thank you for taking the time to post this. I have a 318i touring that needs the same things done. Do you still have this car?

@SPANNERRASH 2 жыл бұрын

Hi mate, sounds like you found it on our blog first. :) Really hope the vid helps you out with your E30 too. I still have the car, but its turning into a much bigger project, check out my other videos if you're interested.

@smilestudio6386 3 жыл бұрын

Thank information

@user-ur3tr3sd3z 3 жыл бұрын

Bravo all the best froom greece

@bhandbra 3 ай бұрын

Hi, Mr. Spanner! Great video, very comprehensive, detailed, and great production quality! Quick question, Is this tutorial applicable to E36s with M40B18 engine? Is there any different steps or parts to buy? Thank you in advance!

@SPANNERRASH 3 ай бұрын

Hi there, the E36 with M40B18 should be extremely similar if not identical to this. It's wise to cross-reference any service parts before purchase but I believe the M40 was the same between E36 and E30.

@bhandbra 3 ай бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH ah okay got it, thank you again sir!

@ViikatemiesFIN 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. What is the purpose of the wiring that goes into the bonnet? I don't have it. Also, I would love to see a tutorial how to change those hydraulic lifters (and camshaft).

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Hmm, I thought that wiring was stock. It may be part of the old Clifford alarm system which was fitted to the car but not functioning. I'll look into that and try to figure out what they do, hopefully nothing so I can get rid of them with the alarm system. :) Not sure I'll ever change the camshaft or lifters in the M40 as I'm planning to do an engine swap down the line.

@admiralaids1203 2 жыл бұрын

a little bit late, but the wiring that goes into the bonnet is for the heated sprayer nozzles

@zeka827 4 ай бұрын

Great work Spanner I have one question about crankshaft sensor... on this clip, I can see wire that goes from sensor, and it seems that it ends near distributor cap, and it looks like it's broken. Same thing is with my sensor, but in my case, wire is directly connected to one of the distributor cap cables. It's confusing because when I search on internet, crankshaft sensor has a 3 pin connector that goes to Harness Loom.

@SPANNERRASH 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Hmm this was a very long time ago and this engine is no longer in this car. But I vaguely remember that there was a circular thing around one of the ht leads. I think it was connected to the crankshaft sensor. But replacement ht leads don't have it.

@ChipKaelin Ай бұрын

I am currently also doing the same job - but i also need to replace the CAM shaft. Can I follow the same steps up and to actual cam belt replacement (taking belt of and then replacing cam shaft, obv ensurring when putting it back that timing is correct etc)?

@SPANNERRASH 29 күн бұрын

Yes that should work. I don't know if you will need new shells for the cam caps. I haven't got my workshop manuals to look. I would check RealOEM to see if there are any other parts needed.

@stephenport4768 3 жыл бұрын

I think I've still got my original locking pin for the M40 engine

@iblackymb 3 жыл бұрын

I love you mate, so helpfull.

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha, glad its helped mate!

@Fredzor96 3 жыл бұрын

11:20 it happen exactly like that to me

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Pretty annoying, right!? Those water pump ears seem useless to me..

@bombakdik 3 жыл бұрын

Already did one myself but nice video. New subscriber. Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪 Edit: did you forget to put the gasket on the water pump? Apart from the o-ring?

@bogdanmaria8621 4 жыл бұрын

Could you do this job without those Locking Tools or are they necessary?

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

I personally would not like to attempt this job without the proper timing locking tools. I think they are worth the money, especially as these engines need regular belt changes. I have heard of people changing timing belts in a pinch by slicing the old timing belt in half lengthways and removing half of it to give room to slip the new belt on. However I have never attempted this myself, and if it goes wrong you could end up making a lot of trouble for yourself trying to time your engine again.

@zlatkofilipovic1509 Жыл бұрын

Temperature litle high again ?! Change Visco fan ,that is nummer one problem on 316 318 .....

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, they are a very common failure on these, especially at this age.

@dric3694 Жыл бұрын

What is that cable hanging in 34:26? The one that isn’t connected to anything.

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Many have enquired about the unplugged connector found in the engine bay of an E30, but thus far there's no answer to the mystery. My old E30 318is had the same unplugged connector and many others have reported having it too. Whatever it's for, it's surplus to requirements on lots of cars. If you ever find out please do let me know! 😆

@dric3694 Жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH really don't know what's it for too after disassembling my engine and trynna see if it connects to something

@jannowak4977 4 жыл бұрын

To easily remove cranckshaft V-belt pulley get the car in fifth gear and use the handbrake so powerful so you can and it's going without problems :)

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Thats a great idea, thanks!

@Thumpfy Жыл бұрын

Greetings from Austria, how or where did you get the data with 8.5cm and 2kg for the toothed belt?

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Hi there, I can't remember exactly, it might have been Haynes manual or similar resource at the time. I promise I didn't make it up. The M40 engine ran great afterwards. 😁

@adrianpurtan 3 жыл бұрын

hello, i have M40B16 engine on my bmw e30, in idle is shaking. did you meet this issiue?

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, I've not had that issue with my engine, although I'm told a common cause for a rough idle would be vacuum leaks. Have a check around the pipework and you may find your problem. Hope that helps

@errolryan5467 3 жыл бұрын

🔥

@jfneves01 Жыл бұрын

Wich is the size of the allen key?

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

I think its a 6, but I can't remember for certain

@turbokitties Жыл бұрын

I’m actually doing this swap right this moment on my e30, I used an 8.

@martinrychlik4753 3 жыл бұрын

Very good video So the belt tension can be adjusted by torque wrench at 1,6Nm?

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'd strongly recommend picking up some luggage scales to tension the timing belt using the same method we used, but it's not uncommon for people to come up with equivalent torque settings. It depends on how willing you are to take the risk.. :)

@prza4783 6 ай бұрын

Never knew BMW had cars with Timing Belts, I thought they had Timing Chains only, like Mercedes used to have always

@SPANNERRASH 6 ай бұрын

Most of them are chain, but there are a few, especially of this generation, which are belts. This M40, and its 6-cyl stablemate the M20 - both belts. I prefer chain though, its one less thing to worry about (usually).

@jamessandoval9105 3 жыл бұрын

Another question my car, same as yours has very poor idle I was wondering if u knew where the ICV for this car

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

I think the ICV is underneath the intake manifold on the M40, so not very convenient.. Cleaning up the throttle cable spring etc really helped with the idle on mine which was lucky! Maybe you should try that first?

@muhammadalzoubi4593 3 жыл бұрын

I have the same car and the same engine as the M40. Does this engine have an oil pump for the engine?

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

It sure does! The oil pump is driven directly by the crank inside the engine. You can access it from below by removing the sump. I think its quite an ordeal to change it, but while you were doing the timing belt would be as convenient a time as any. I haven't changed mine.

@muhammadalzoubi4593 3 жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH thank you my friend Do you have a picture of an oil pump?

@jamessandoval9105 3 жыл бұрын

I plan on flushing the coolant system in my 316i. what coolant is best to use?

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Hi James, I'd stick with the standard BMW blue coolant. Can't go wrong with that!

@gunny355 4 жыл бұрын

Great video guys! one quick question though. after tensioning the belt and you turn the engine a couple times. do you need to check the tension again? Or is it fine with the first setting? just bought myself one and i'm going to change the belt soon. thx in advance!!

@SPANNERRASH 4 жыл бұрын

Hi gunny355, it can't hurt to give it another wiggle to check, but generally speaking, once you've got the belt in the right place and have tensioned it carefully/correctly, it shouldn't change again. Hope this helps :)

@gunny355 4 жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH hello again, yes absolutly ! I'm going for it when the parts arive. thx alot!

@JoaoMiguel-pl4wi Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vídeo, what is the name of the tube that is above the camshaft and that dispenses oil? is it replaceable?

@SPANNERRASH Жыл бұрын

Hi João, I believe it's simply called an oil feed pipe, and it can be replaced. I think this is the one, but please double check compatibility with your M40 car to make sure: ebay.us/LjeY1Z Hope that helps!

@muhammadalzoubi4593 3 жыл бұрын

Is the oil pump internal with the lower control housing?

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Sure, you can see parts diagrams online for how it sits

@FOXeye95 3 жыл бұрын

Do I need to take all things off to check the timing? Mine after a drive lost all power and works like it's on two cylinders. People said my timing could be thrown off as I already replaced spark plugs, cables, distributor cover and rotor and it's still the same. There's spark, there's fuel , the MAF works idk what should I do. I don't have a cam lock tool

@FOXeye95 3 жыл бұрын

Also could it be a bad crankshaft sensor? Months ago it failed due to floods , I let the car dry off stopped and worked back again ( I noticed back then it was that because it ran bad and the rev gauge was all over the place)

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Ricardo, my advice would be to take the covers off the front of the engine to first check the timing marks are correct for the camshaft. You can also whip the rocker cover off and check it there. (note the 2 dots on the front side in the vid when I talk about locking it in the vid). If your timing belt is old and overdue it may well have slipped, at which point I'd definitely recommend that locking tool to hold the cam in correct place when replacing the belt. Bear in mind its under valve spring pressure.

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

@@FOXeye95 From my understanding, if your crank position sensor had failed, there would be no spark and/or fuel. You mentioned you have both of these. Give all the connectors a good clean and see if that helps, you might be lucky. :)

@FOXeye95 3 жыл бұрын

@@SPANNERRASH whole distribution was changed last year in August/September the CPS when testing voltage gave bad readings hence it being my suspect. That and it failing last year (car is low and I passed on a "flooded"part of the road wich made me loose even power steering at the time. A faulty CPS could still give spark and fuel not just the correct amount/timing right? I have all of these issues: www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor

@SPANNERRASH 3 жыл бұрын

@@FOXeye95 you could still get spark and fuel if it was intermittent. If its not too expensive, i'd say swap it out. If its fixed then great, if its not, at least you rule it out. Hope you manage to solve it!

@TimSlee1 7 ай бұрын

I can see why people cave in and decide to swap the little M40 once they have the funds.. Me and dad want to keep it running as is till i'm on an open license so this video comes in handy.

@SPANNERRASH 7 ай бұрын

Glad the vid is useful for you Tim. The M40 is a little tank of an engine and can go on forever, but more power is always welcome hence my eventual decision to go M52 swap.

@TimSlee1 7 ай бұрын

Nice, what M52 do you plan on swapping into it? I've only been able to find a couples 323i's on Ebay Australia.@@SPANNERRASH