So when should timing chains be replaced?

[Jake Raby]

We have had master linked chains made in the past for our preventive procedures. The source that made these for me passed away a few years ago and I have not been able to source them.

We are now working with SSF Auto Parts and Iwis (tier 1 supplier for Porsche timing chains) to develop a mass produced version of these chains for the M96/ M97. This comes on the heels of a year where we had as many as 4 engines with chain failures here at one time to be repaired, all of them requiring full disassembly, repair and reassembly- about 11K worth of expenditure.

Currently there are no master linked chains, so the only chains that can be replaced without full teardown of the engine are the 4th and 5th chains found only on the 5 chain M96 engines, 2002 and earlier. All main timing chains require full tear down.

I am awaiting samples of the master linked chains now, once they arrive here we will develop a procedure for their installation on a fully assembled engine and begin torture testing them. These chains are not just master linked, they will be superior in other ways as well, as Iwis has different levels of timing chain quality.

Once these chains are tested I will mandate their replacement on every engine that we carry out an IMS Retrofit or other procedure on. It just makes sense to do this and I develop things to have them for ourselves, primarily.

SSF has become the leading distributor of our components to shops worldwide, they are great to work with and they are more than willing to work with us to have anything made to supply the needs of these engines. Recently this included having a new run of IMS assemblies made :-)

So yes, once developed and tested your local shop will be able to buy these from SSF and install them with my procedure. :-)