Yes, I'm very familiar with the BMW timing belt, having worked at a BMW shop for over 2 years. A couple of years ago, a friend invited me to his house to listen to his '84
528e. It seems when he started it up to go to work, the engine ran OK but was making a loud rattling noise. He started it up again to let me hear. After a few seconds I told him to shut it off immediately and not run it again until the timing belt was checked. After he had the car towed to my place I discovered the timing belt had jumped 2 teeth and had over 20 teeth shaved off it. Apparently, it was just out of time enough for the pistons to touch the valves but not bend them! After belt replacement, the engine ran perfectly and quietly, as if nothing had happened. How it had continued to run and not move further off time I'll never know. I let my friend know how lucky he was!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW