After STFA, I have a few TB questions :P

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Sep 14, 2007 | 02:43 PM

audikillsbmw

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After STFA, I have a few TB questions :P

Are there any special things to consider when doing the TB on a 4.2? And how hard is it? (I don't mean getting to the TB, I mean replacing the actual belt itself.) Is lining it up a PITA, or is it relatively easy? And how hard is it to do the main crank seal? Mine has a slow leak, and needs to be replaced. TIA

Sep 14, 2007 | 02:51 PM

bac2h

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Main crank seal SERIOUS..and I mean SERIOUS PITA..ask Kris Hansen if you want (more)

in fact it was so bad we elected to pass based on the fact it was not leaking. You have to have the locking bar to lock the cams in place. The 2.7 bar will work with a little modification...and I do mean little..good luck..it's worth the peace of mind. Talk to Kris as he did mine...

Sep 14, 2007 | 02:53 PM

audikillsbmw

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The crank bar for the 4.2 is only $100 on eBay, + $13 for the crank pin.

Is the seal a PITA to remove, or a PITA to install? (or both..)

Sep 14, 2007 | 03:15 PM

Kris Hansen

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Replacing the actual belt is the easy part. The hart part is getting to it...

and it's not that hard, but it's pretty time consuming. Don't forget to replace ALL pulleys and the waterpump and thermostat.

Replacing the crank seal is pretty straightforward, BUT.. have fun getting to the plug where you insert the crank pin. On bac2h's car anyway, this is an allen, and it was tight. I could barely get a tool on it.. Then once I did, I was afraid to try too hard, given that this seal wasn't even leaking.

It's almost like you have to remove the driver's side motor mount to get at this... And it's REQUIRED if you plan on changing the crank seal, as you have to remove the crank bolt.

Sep 14, 2007 | 08:47 PM

audikillsbmw

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Hmm.. interesting. How about lining up the belt itself? Is it difficult to

get it in the correct position? I want to ask as many questions ahead of time as I can...

Sep 15, 2007 | 04:58 AM

Kris Hansen

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Do you have the Bentley manual? If not, I'd highly suggest you get one....

the cost is trivial compared to the knowledge you can gain from having it.

Lining up the belt is easy when you do the job the correct way, which is set the CRANK at TDC, then pull the old belt, line the cams up with the cam bar, loosen the cam pulley bolts, pop the cams off of the ends of the cams, and install the belt, release the tensioner, torque the cam gears.

Sep 15, 2007 | 07:25 AM

Grapeking

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Agreed - I've changed a few belts in my time and even

with that experience I wouldn't tackle these cars without the Bentley. As you said, small price to pay for the learning - and potential avoidance of HUGE issues.

I'll be tackling my TB in the enxt few weeks, already have the Bentley pages scoped out!