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HELP! Still can't figure this out--from HASH to HASH--DEGREES?
95 E320 Estate - M104.992 engine -- 235K miles. Trying to crack the question "how many degrees is represented from hash to hash on the crank?". I need to know the answer so I can ascertain how many degrees out of time my engine is on account of a stretched timing chain (and or worn guides/worn tensioner). As a follow up question -- for those that have come up against the same quandary, and went ahead with chain AND tensioner replacement, were you able to properly time the engine afterward (meaning both cam locks dead-nuts on the head with the crank pointer at 0|T = TDC ) and did the engine run better as a result (better, meaning = more power, better economy, more responsive, smoother, quieter etc). The picture is where my crank sits in order for both cams to line up with the head in the locked position (with 4mm drill bits in this case)
Thank you.
Last edited by soundquest; Jun 16, 2026 at 02:02 AM.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
It appears to be 5% from your photo. The fine adjustment only allows for 3 degree of fine granularity at the sprocket for an M103. I doubt it would be different for an M104.
So you can only adjust to +/- 1.5 degrees. I doubt you will see any performance difference if you are off by 3 degrees.
It appears to be 5% from your photo. The fine adjustment only allows for 3 degree of fine granularity at the sprocket for an M103. I doubt it would be different for an M104.
So you can only adjust to +/- 1.5 degrees. I doubt you will see any performance difference if you are off by 3 degrees.
Thanks for the reply -- it is helpful. I was really trying to figure out how many degrees each hash represents in terms of degrees and I believe it is 2 degrees from hash mark to hash mark based on all the information I have scoured and also based off of your response. So this would put me at about 2.5 degrees off the mark (3 degrees if you round up as you have). I have the crank timed like this on purpose, with it stopped where both cams up top are aligned with the head in the lock position (and I realize it's not the standard method but I figured it would provide some idea as to how much chain stretch there could be). According to the FSM, I am well within the tolerance limits for this engine (as you have suggested). I know some folks would swap the chain out with any sign of stretch, no matter how minuscule, but I just can't bring myself to do that with the extra money in parts and extra time in labor for no REAL justifiable benefit. Would the throttle maybe be a bit more crisp with a new chain? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I think by the time this engine is ready for another HG and timing cover gasket job, that would be the appropriate time to replace it as there will likely be enough chain stretch to start to justify replacement.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Not sure if my typo threw you off. I meant 5 degrees not 5%. Hashmark in the middle of OT is zero. The next one is 5 degrees and the next 10 degrees. Out of the factory the timing can only be +/-1.5 degrees enabled by the sprocket design. This is for an M103 and M104 will be similar. So if you are off by 5 degrees the stretch could be as little as 3.5 degrees. Seems to be a small amount to me and not worth the effort as long as all the guides and tensioners are in good shape.
Also if your cylinder head was removed for the dreaded early head gasket oil leak, you do not know if it was installed with precision. I did have a M104 since new and I know the head gasket was replaced at the dealership at only 25K miles under warranty. Not sure about yours. So you see some of the movement may not be stretch at all.
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