Timing chain replacement?
 

guys I've a 1995 318ti and I presumed with every car the timing chain/belt needs changed about 100k miles??

I've done 140k miles and my local mechanic said it never needs replaced? is this right?

double timing chain will not go bad - no reason to replace... BUT, you may want to replace the timing chain tensioner (what keeps the chain tight)... 140K sounds like a good time to do that.

good stuff mate, I'll mention the to him next time I'm over at the weekend. saved me a few quid anyway! lol :)

no problem.. by the way, you can do it yourself - its a piece of cake.

#21 from the pic

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1228316824

here is the link to Real OEM (select your motor - as above pic is for an M44 & I'm not sure which one you have M42/M44)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...64&hg=11&fg=25

your ti is a 95, so you have an M42 motor

here ya go.. M42
#18 - still a piece of cake.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1228326767

yeah it really is a piece of cake..
i had to replace mine and i only have 95,XXX.
so it would be a great idea.
there is something special that you have to do when you put the new one in.. i cannot remember what exactly it is... if im not mistaken..?

Would this tensioner be causing a grinding noise? Motor is sounding awful grind-y... Seems like something's about to give, but I've had guys say "that's just how they sound"... so I'm not sure how to proceed. Motor runs great, however.

I had a noise that sounded like grinding on the M44. Changing oil weight didn't change anything, time of year or hot/cold starts didn't change anything. New tensioner didn't fix. I never had any issues with the motor, nothing in the pan as far as pieces and outside of starting the noise was never present. I put 80K on the motor and owned since 100K. Previous owner autoX and I assume the chain and guides needed a replacement but I never had the money or reason to rebuild it.

If you have a noise when the motor is running I would say that is more cause for concern.

The noise does exist when running, enough so that a fellow came in a business where I had it idling outside and swore up and down I needed to change the timing chain.