i know i havnt posted much but thought i would give an update about my X5
this all happened in a 6 week period;
first i come outside and find a big puddle of coolant on the driveway, Valley pan gasket which ended up costing me $1000
then 2 weeks later the main bearing that holds the guts of the transmission let go totally killing my tranny, a used tranny and $3000 later and im up and running again. THEN this;
just got back from the shop and they had it pretty torn down, the timing chain guide is supposed to have a UHMW guide to keep the chain from slapping around but it disintegrated and is now non existent, The U-shaped piece is whats supposed to have it attached.
you can also see the pilot valves that move the intake cams for the variable valve timing which is what i originally thought the problem was.
Here are a few shots of the engine torn down, pretty fancy looking engine IMO.
and here is the head, you can't see it in the pic but a bunch of valves are bent due to the slip in timing when the guide let go, both heads are coming off for a total Re and Re. the pistons and bores are in great shape so the bottom end isnt being touched.
uhg.... $7000 in 6 weeks.