do a 1993 bmw 525i have a timing belt or a chain?

Question

its listed with a m50 tu engine...whatever that means...

Answer 1

Your car has timing chains, and also (single) VANOS.

Excerpt from website:
The 525i was built throughout the E34 production, and in 1992 was offered as a wagon (touring version) in the USA. In 1991, the engine was switched from the single overhead cam M20 engine to the double overhead cam M50 engine, raising power to 189 horsepower (141 kW), while a change from a timing belt to a timing chain improved reliability. A further revision of the 525i engine took place in 1993, when VANOS was added to the M50 engine which was designated the M50TU.

Answer 2

onephatguy69, you have noted the M43 engine, which isn't used interior the asker's 328is. The 328is makes use of the M52B28 engine, which greater from the previous belt pushed M20 engines from the 70s and 80s. The belts lasted as long in those in the different vehicle manufacturers, although incredibly than warmth deteriorating them, it grow to be in many situations oils leaking from the cylinder head close to the valve conceal gasket that usually led to the wear and tear. It grow to be in no way an argument for vendors that replaced the belts until now the scheduled era of 60,000 miles or 4 years. back to the unique poster: Your 328is makes use of a collection, as did all the M50 based engines. there is not any reason to assume the chain to fail interior the M50 engine under typical using circumstances. The chain could positioned on and get noisy, which could be solved by changing tensioners or the chain itself. in case you hear damn noises nonetheless, it particularly is a lot a lot extra in all probability to be led to by harm interior the vanos unit. EDIT: No Nikasil bore in US M52. additionally, the final opinion interior the vehicle international is that if the engines have survived this long, they are positive. The fuels that have been severe in sulphur have been eradicated from the marketplace.

Answer 3

Timing Chains.

Answer 4

i believe it has a belt i dont think cars had chains in 1993 at least mine didnt i think they stoped having chains in 1989 i could be wrong check ur mecanic if it has over 90thousand miles it needs to be replaced

Answer 5

Snowie is right on!!

Jettalady should learn not to give wild *** guess answers. BMW used belts on only one motor - the M20 and learned they are unreliable.

Answer 6

you wil be having a timing chain buddy