01 x5 timing chain guides?

[Jrcosta04]

Hey guys this is my first post here, have been watching for a long time now.

My e53 4.4 has started having ticking noises which seem to be fairly constant and from what I have ready here in the past sounds like it comes down to timing chain guides.

I have thought about doing this myself and haven’t ruled it out as yet, although I thought I’d ask if anyone here in the Brisbane area does these? I live in the Ipswich area but would tow it into Brisbane if it could be done.

Thanks guys,

[ahlem]

Get the Bentley manual and search youtube to see how it's done.

[andrewwynn]

Timing chain guides can last 300-400 miles if you change the tensioner regularly.

If your symptom is primarily rattle at start that fades that's the initial loose chain symptom and you can catch or before any damage occurs.

I didn't see your year to know if M62 or N62. It's uncommon for N62 to have guide trouble but I've seen it.

You can use a flexible snake camera to look at the chain/guides through the oil fill port. If the plastic has started to disintegrate don't run the engine, tow it to where you'll fix it

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Timing chain guides can last 300-400 miles if you change the tensioner regularly.

If your symptom is primarily rattle at start that fades that's the initial loose chain symptom and you can catch or before any damage occurs.

I didn't see your year to know if M62 or N62. It's uncommon for N62 to have guide trouble but I've seen it.

You can use a flexible snake camera to look at the chain/guides through the oil fill port. If the plastic has started to disintegrate don't run the engine, tow it to where you'll fix it

That is really great info. Thanks andrew.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but I believe my questions are somewhat useful for you as well since both our engines are from the same family of bmw v8s, assuming you also have the M62 engine.

My symptom is the loud rattle at start that lasts but a few seconds. So this could be the initial loose chain symptom?

My X5 is the 2003 4.6is with 95,000 miles when I purchased it in 2018. I've replaced the tensioner with an OEM part from ECS that same year.

What else do you suggest I do to reduce this initial rattle?

I've changed the spark plug earlier this month. Along with new valve cover gaskets on both sides and the lower oil pan gasket.

I also changed the engine oil and added a bottle of engine oil saver.

The first couple of starts after the reinstall was extremely smooth and quiet. But the loud rattle soon returned and the noise is there every morning during cold starts.

What else can I do to reduce this rattle? Short of replacing the TCG?

I love the idea of getting a snake camera into the engine through the oil fill port. Will try that to check on condition of the plastic guides.

Thanks again!

[andrewwynn]

You need to look inside and confirm the guides are ok or not. Snake cameras are under $20 for USB and $40/50 for wifi model. You can also drain the oil and remove the oil level sensor to look for plastic bits at bottom of oil pan.

[Maruzo]

Did check the lower oil pan when I replaced the gasket. The pan was clean with no plastic bits.

The top part of the timing chain that shows when you remove the valve cover also doesn't show any broken plastic bits.

I'll get the camera and update when I check the inside of the engine.

Assuming the TCG is still intact, what do you recommend to fix the rattle issue?

[x5Alpine]

What solved the rattle for me was an OEM BMW oil filter rather than Mann or Hengst. The OEM holds pressure on a valve at the bottom of the OFH. Also, it probably isn't timing chain noise on startup rather it is Vanos rattle.

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by x5Alpine

What solved the rattle for me was an OEM BMW oil filter rather than Mann or Hengst. The OEM holds pressure on a valve at the bottom of the OFH. Also, it probably isn't timing chain noise on startup rather it is Vanos rattle.

Will try that tip. Thanks!

I've heard about the vanos rattle. Just don't know if that's what I have. The Vanos repair will make a nice project for sure.

One I'm not looking forward to as yet.

[x5Alpine]

My current 4.6is had the guides fail at about 90k miles so I would do them as soon as you can.

[jcp240z]

I second that. I did my 03 4.6iS at 110,000 and they were very brittle. Easily broke pieces off when removing. It’s not a matter of if they are going to fail only when, kind of like an aneurism.
Since the 4.6 motors are so rare fixing it after the fact it’s typically not done do to the scarcity of blocks. Look up Terminator and his efforts to fix his 4.6. He finally gave it up.