Well, today I am pretty sure that my 4.6 is ready for the timing chain rail repair. Was out shovelling the snow this morning and my wife told me she heard a "tick" in the engine when she started it yesterday morning. So I stopped shovelling, started the engine and sure enough it sounds like grinding and popping in the front of the engine. Last weekend we had the oil separator valve freeze on us while up at my mothers place and wondering if this accelerated this problem.

Taking it down to the shop for them to properly diagnose it tomorrow (hopefully it makes it). Worse case, $2500 to do the complete chain rails as they already quoted me in the summer. Best case it is something else....with 225000km's on it, its likely the rails. For a first time BMW owner I'm not lovin' it I have to be honest. I call it the money pit! I got 278000km's on my Audi and have had no problems with it other than regular maintenance (brakes, oil, tires).

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Cheers!
Bill

2002 X5 4.6is
Estoril Blue, born 11/01
~226,000km's
rebuilt tranny (11/12)
New paint (8/12)
Chain rails inspected and are good (01/13)