Start up rattle !! Is this vanos or something worse ??

[Webbie]

Hey every one owned my little x5 4.4i m62 with vanos for just over a year and love the old girl but it has a very strange rattle on start up it hasn't gotten worse or better its stayed the same I'm just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction or if this is the vanos rattle that they all seem to have ?? The part that gets me is its intermittent!!! One morning it will rattle the next it wont I have tried to attach a video file of the sound but it wont let me maybe I can email it anyone who's willing to help ??
Thank you to everyone for your help!!

[Dking078]

Rattle for 2-3 seconds on start up then runs like dream. = Vanos

Rattle on startup and sounds ungodly when running = Timing guides

Vanos rattle can be intermittent.

[andrewwynn]

Sounds like the timing chain tensioner to me. The chain will rattle until enough oil pressure builds to stop it. Letting that go too long if the case is the cause of chain guide failure.

I use a fiber optic camera to inspect the chain guides through the oil fill port. I've been wondering if I can get better access to the left side of the motor through either the cam shaft sensor or vanos solinoid. You can use a dental mirror and inspect the oil pan through the level sensor hole (for plastic parts of the chain guides)

For the M62 it's important to change the tensioner regularly maybe 60-80,000 miles before it can't supply enough tension. Once the chain is a little loose all you need is to hit a big bump and the heavy ass chain will slap the plastic brittle guides and they shatter and it's 30 hours and $1000 parts to fix.

[Webbie]

Thank you so much for the replies !! Well I have done the common chain tensioner in the side of the block and had the camcovers off to inspect the guides with a camera and they look pretty good to me ,I'm actually a fully qualified mechanic but this one is making me scratch my head , can I email the video for you lovely people to have a listen thank you so much !!

[740ilDuke]

Sounds like VANOS rattle.

[Hoopie]

Agree definitely VANOS

[richardb]

Here's what vanos rattle sounds like on an X5 3.0i:

https://youtu.be/zAyQBiV5GbI

[Webbie]

Hey Richardb I have finally managed to upload a clip of the noise from my own engine I will share the link for people to have a listen but I think it seems to be vanos rattle well have a listen and see what you reckon thanks !!

https://youtu.be/IDC2tbteoN4

[slatanik]

I used to have the same nasty rattle.
Since i use 15w40 oil,i have no more rattle at cold start at all.
Those low viscosity oils will not stay in the cam chain tensioner or vanos system.

[andrewwynn]

That sounds more like chain rattle. If it goes away and stays away probably you are long over due for a new chain tensioner.


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