BMW M42 engine: specs and known issues
The BMW M42 is a naturally aspirated inline-four petrol engine with a 1.8-liter displacement, produced 1989–1996, per Wikipedia. We do not have repair prices for it yet.
Specs and history from Wikipedia (revisions listed below)
M42 at a glance
| Production | 1989–1996 | [1] |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Naturally aspirated straight-4 | [1] |
| Displacement | 1796 cc (109.6 cu in) | [1] |
| Fuel type | Petrol | [1] |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 16V | [1] |
| Block | Cast iron | [1] |
| Cylinder head | Aluminium | [1] |
| Bore × stroke | 84 mm (3.31 in) × 81 mm (3.19 in) | [1] |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection | [2] |
Cars with the M42
Cars and chassis codes named in Wikipedia's article on this engine. It can include related or successor models, so treat it as a lead and check your exact car. Open a linked model to see its repair costs.
- 3 Series 318is (E30)
- 3 Series 318i (only North American models) (E30)
- 3 Series 318i, 318is, 318ti (E36)
Model pages for the M42
Chassis pages whose cars, per Wikipedia, used this engine.
Known issues
From the engine's Wikipedia article, section named in each item. Links are the references attached to those sentences (archived copies where the original page is gone); where none is shown, the Wikipedia section is the source.
Early models of the M42 experienced failures of a profile gasket sealing the lower cam chain case to the underside of the cylinder head. This gasket seals the primary coolant passage within the timing chain case.
Source: Wikipedia: BMW M42 (section "Recalls") · cited reference
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Common questions
When was the BMW M42 engine produced?
1989–1996, per Wikipedia.
Sources
- Wikipedia: BMW M42 (revision 1372840469, read 2026-10-23)
- Wikipedia: List of BMW engines
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