I’ve recently acquired an R53 that was sitting for two years at a shop and had some known issues. I fixed it and got it running great only for the head gasket to blow. I replaced the head gasket, chain tensioner, and the injectors (seemed like a good idea at the time since it was all open) and when I put it all back together the timing chain is jumping about 4-8 teeth every rotation. I ordered another tensioner to no avail. I did try to start it in between one of the rebuild and tear apart’s to see if it was just being difficult and needed some oil pressure to get the tensioner to cooperate. Anyways, any idea why it’s jumping timing?

 

For a cam chain drive to jump 4-8 (any number actually) teeth is quite a problem. Are all the tensioners/guides in place? And properly positioned?

There is an outside chance the new tensioner is "dry" and thus doesn't supply enough tension and the chain is way too slack. Not sure what the proper steps are to installing a new tensioner but it might involve pre-charging it with oil. (Similar to when installing new hydraulic lifters the SOP was to in a container of clean engine oil to use a wooden dowel to work the lifter to fill it with oil before installing into the engine. The lifter would of course bleed down some but it had enough residual oil to work reasonably well until it received oil flow.)

 

Pull the oil pan and check for timing chain guide pieces. Sounds as though your guides are either damaged or non-existent.

 

I’m pulling the timing chain cover when my crank pulley tool gets here so I can get a better look at everything going on. The chain itself feels tight and isn’t wobbling around on the cam sprocket.

 

I’ve checked the guides and replaced them. Should’ve mentioned in the main post I replaced those too.

 

You’re not just looking at the marks, are you? They don’t stay lined up.

Is it making the death rattle?

 

this is news to me, am I supposed to just watch TDC?

no death rattle that I can hear. not starting, just turning over

 

Check out Mod Mini on YouTube. He has a number of videos detailing how the timing chain needs to be installed.

 

Sorry, I should specify. The mark on the cam gear won’t stay lined up with the colored chain links (or any links that you marked). I assume that’s what you’re talking about.

I think there’s an unofficial way to align the cam gear with cylinder one at TDC. I don’t remember what it is offhand.

 

As deepgrey has said the timing links won't line up all the time . Once timing is set at first ( colored links and arrows) they won't line.up for a bunch of rotations again .

I don't remember the proper sequence but as suggested there are some.great videos on how to set timing first.

I wonder if your blown gasket was some other issue ?