Timing chain replacement: BMW E36 M43TU (M43B16TU, M43B18, M43B19TU)
Step-by-step timing chain replacement for the BMW E36 M43TU: 110 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Workshop procedure for BMW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: platform codes 1.8I, |, 1.9I, 316, CI, 316I, 318I
- Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
- Special tools named: locking pin, locking tool
Don't miss
- Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
- Ensure the arrow mark faces upwards
📐 37 workshop diagrams for M43B16TU
Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.
📋 Procedure
Preparation and removal
- Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
- Use the special tool
- Timing chain layout
- Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
- Remove the fan and coupling
- Loosen the bolt slightly to release the tension
- Remove the thermostat housing
- Remove the camshaft position sensor(s)
- Type 1:
- Remove the crankshaft pulley
- Type 2:
- Remove the crankshaft pulley
- Use the special tools to remove the crankshaft pulley
- Loosen the centre bolt of the crankshaft gearwheel/vibration damper
- Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
- Remove the access plug
- Lock the crankshaft by fitting a locking pin into the flywheel
- Fit the camshaft locking tool
- Remove the crankshaft hub
- Remove the belt pulley
- Remove the crankshaft front radial seal
- Use the special tool
- Remove the camshaft sensor gear
Installation and checks
- Renew the chain guides
- Renew the bolt(s)
- All vehicles:
- Move the gearwheel to centre position in elongated holes
- Ensure the arrow mark faces upwards
- Tighten the camshaft gearwheel bolts
- Remove the blocking tools
- Tensioner locking pin:
- Tension the chain
- Engines with hydraulic tensioner:
- Renew the crankshaft oil seal
- Fit the crankshaft oil seal
- Refit the ancillary drive belt
- Refit the upper timing cover
- Renew the seals
- Refit the thermostat housing
- Refit the fan cowling
- Fit the cooling fan
- Refit the solenoid bracket
- Refit the cylinder head cover
- Refit the spark plugs
- Use the special tools
- Reconnect the battery earth cable
Ask TorqFix about your BMW M43B16TU — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.
Ask about your BMW M43B16TU — free → or sign up free to see the drawingsOther BMW procedures
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.