Timing chain rattle on start up sometimes (new timing chains)

[aureliusmax]

guys, why no one here mentions oil grades just goes to show we have a long ways to go in bringing up our knowledge and understanding of engines.
first, OP: what is your oil type used.
second, many people have reported online discussions switching to 15w-50 eliminated the rattle on start up. they have multiple reports of replacing tensioners, guides, etc with no significant changes.
third: oil filter canister. people say that the inside piece breaks down and allows oil to drainback to sump which doesn't give the tensioner oil flow at startup.

fourth: lack of information. I have seen an unlimited supply of losers on other forums and sometimes here, who like to show up to hit and run their own threads too, so there's that.

I do see a TSB for the E39 for rattle at start but that only applies to vanos rattle on the S62 engine, which uses different vanos system than the M62. SI B 11 04 01 .

Attached is the breakdown of the tensioner. I found that it's challenging to install once removed. You can crank the engine clockwise a 1/8 turn to release some tension on the chain of the right bank of the engine, and using a socket press into the threads and turn until engages. We can also check that the spring is facing the right direction, and install a new oring or crush washer. I use what's called 'bonded oring' which I just got from hydraulic supply industrial supplier. I believe it's metric size 24. You shouldn't need to replace this part unless there's some scoring on the cylinder or bore, or if the spring has cracked.

[X5chemist]

Definitely agree. Mine is switch from 5-30 A3/B4 Castrol to 5-40 A3B4 Castrol for Texas heat. It's quite and runs smooth. I think it helped reduce slight start up smoke. Slight smoking on hard accelerations too. However, a new CCV may fixed it too.

[M62 X5]

Alright, I'm finally back to update this thread with my current solution. I've lived with the rattle on startup for about 10k miles. Just chalked it up to VANOS rattle due to the check valves being stuck open and oil draining back upon shut down. As you can read in the thread I replaced everything other than VANOS components as I just didn't have time to dig into that when I did the chains and guides and such.

Fast forward to my most recent oil change. To recap I have tried BMW 5W-30, BMW 5W-30 with LM lifter additive, and LM 5W-40. I wouldn't usually buy the BMW 5W-30 but I often get it for free so I use it when I can. So I drained my old oil (looked normal for 5k mile oil) and filled up with BMW 5W-30. I also happened to have a can of the LM MoS2 additive I got for free and thought what the hell I'll throw it in there.

What do you know my startup rattle is gone. Driven about 500 miles it hasn't rattled once. Warm start, cold start, hot start, doesn't matter.

The only thing I could think of is whatever special sauce is in the MoS2 cleaned out some crap from a check valve somewhere and it now holds the oil after the motor is shut down.

Not sure if this would work for anyone else but for a few bucks per can it can't hurt. Let me know your thoughts!

[M62 X5]

Originally Posted by aureliusmax

guys, why no one here mentions oil grades just goes to show we have a long ways to go in bringing up our knowledge and understanding of engines.
first, OP: what is your oil type used.
second, many people have reported online discussions switching to 15w-50 eliminated the rattle on start up. they have multiple reports of replacing tensioners, guides, etc with no significant changes.
third: oil filter canister. people say that the inside piece breaks down and allows oil to drainback to sump which doesn't give the tensioner oil flow at startup.

fourth: lack of information. I have seen an unlimited supply of losers on other forums and sometimes here, who like to show up to hit and run their own threads too, so there's that.

I do see a TSB for the E39 for rattle at start but that only applies to vanos rattle on the S62 engine, which uses different vanos system than the M62. SI B 11 04 01 .

Attached is the breakdown of the tensioner. I found that it's challenging to install once removed. You can crank the engine clockwise a 1/8 turn to release some tension on the chain of the right bank of the engine, and using a socket press into the threads and turn until engages. We can also check that the spring is facing the right direction, and install a new oring or crush washer. I use what's called 'bonded oring' which I just got from hydraulic supply industrial supplier. I believe it's metric size 24. You shouldn't need to replace this part unless there's some scoring on the cylinder or bore, or if the spring has cracked.

Check out my recent update! You're right I had not tried different oil grades when I first posted. I was running BMW 5W-30 since I often get it for free but I also tried the LM lifter additive since I thought my lifters sounded pretty loud. I had also already replaced all tensioners as well as the oil filter housing which has that check valve you mentioned.

I guess the MoS2 must have freed something up I really don't know what ingredient may have done it, but I got the can for free so I can't complain

[BimmerBreaker]

I bet the oil check valves have failed. They are supposed to keep oil in the VANOS when the engine is off. If they are bad the oil drains out and you get a little VANOS rattle at cold starts.

[X5chemist]

Mine also runs LM MoS2 along with Castrol 5-40W A3/B4. I've been cleaning out oil sludge since I bought it. No more smoke at start up or hard WOT. During an oil plan gasket replacement, a ton of sludge was removed. The inside looked bad. I think previous owners ran it to oil the maintenance light warning. Over two years, the oil has cleaned up. Now, at half oil life, I like to swap the oil filter for a new one. Even at 5k miles, the oil coming out looks good. Oil top offs intervals are getting longer. Sealing oil seeps sure does help. A new valve cover gasket should get the last big seeping areas.

The latest, trying the LM Ceratec.

[Henn28]

What does the Liquid Moly additive do? Sounds promising. I occasionally get rattle on my 4.6 with 10k on it. No discernible pattern to it either. It just sat for over a week and no rattle when I started it, occasionally it will rattle. Even after just sitting overnight. My oil filter housing is only a couple years old and would be thought to replace so I hope it’s ok. It’s the Gulf version which allows me to plumb in the oil cooler, and was hard to track down 2 years ago.

I’m thinking of going to a 10w-30 perhaps and see if that will stay in the vanos longer. I will say the 4.4 I took out of the x5 rattled for close to 20 years if I recall, so I’m not overly concerned. Someday I’ll pull that motor apart and see how it looks inside. Hopefully as part of a rebuild. I’m thinking of putting it in an E34 5 series these days. I love the E24 6 series, but they are too pricey for a straight, (mostly) rust free car these days. The E34 has the same shark nose look, which I like.

[X5chemist]

MoS2 additive

My '21 HEMI doesn't get driven everyday since the X5 is smaller to get around the Austin metro. It developed a lifter tick at start up. I used ceratec to help. The HEMI no longer makes ticking noise at start up. If it does, it's for less time than previous start up. I now try to drive it more during the week.