Timing Chain Guide Failure

[PaulMercer]

Hi all first of all a big hello as I haven't posted on here before, only one on the Australia section. I moved from the uk at the start of the year to here in Sydney down under, on arrival I was set on purchasing an E53 and moreover a 4.6 is, found one in good condition but needed new airbags at the rear.. I carried out this repair myself and along with a new battery all was well until I took a road trip last month.

We set off for a weekend at Dubbo, about 4 hours inland, all was good getting there but on the Saturday noticed a rather loud rattle, all else was good no misfire or warnings, and I had an inclination of what this May be.

On our return journey all started well no noise was heard in the car, no vibrations or warnings so with a light foot we made our way back to Sydney, at a point 2/3 of the way back we changed drivers as my wife had been driving a while and the car sounded awful with not much option I pressed on only lasting about 20 mins when going uphill the sound got so bad we could here it inside the car, I knew deep down the infamous guides had failed, so I pulled over and shut the car down.

After a rather disappointing wait for the breakdown truck I took the car to an Indy who operates 1km down the road from my house and waited for Monday morning.

The car had been to this guy before for VCG and CCV pipe work, and so Monday afternoon I visited the garage to here the verdict. As expected he confirmed the timing chain guides had failed and would need extensive surgery. After much talking I opted for a total repair and pull the whole engine out!

This took 2days to remove and strip down and confirm the extent of the damage.

I took photos during the whole process I am struggling to upload these at present but please be patient.

Anyway i had bits of guide all in the sump, but luckily no further damage was done to the engine, both heads were checked for warping and we're ok, all valve seals were changed. Big ends were checked with no damage, no piston damage either and all liners were in very good condition. New bits fitted were obviously the guides, new chain vanos seals, new water pump, thermostat, belt, every single gasket on the engine was changed sump, timing cover, valley pan etc, etc.
all seals replaced including transmission cooler seals, all manifold seals and CCV re checked again. Both heads re sprayed for cosmetics and all fluids including power steering replaced.

Whilst out the transmission was out I elected to have a full fluid change with the magnets cleaned and new filter fitted, I did think about a rebuild but I did not have any transmission issues.

The whole engine has been sent away for cleaning before rebuild, and with a receipt from previous owner for a new alternator couldn't think of any other item that needed changing.

One month later I have the vehicle back, and it runs so quiet I barely know it's a V8 unless I use a heavy right foot, the gears are very smooth and had improved for the better having changed the fluid.

I have to take the car back after 1000 km for a check up and so far so good, next job pixel repair of which I already have the new ribbon and hoping the next few months are fairly maintenance free as I am now 8000 AUS dollars lighter.

I will keep persevering with the images apparently they are all too big for upload

[BigBlack48is]

Great work mate!!!

With all that work you've done to the motor, you should have no problems with that motor or transmission for quite a while. make sure you change the transfer case fluid and diff fluids at some point too

[J.Belknap]

Glad none of the timing guide bits blocked the oil sump pickup screen. This is a mandatory 100k mile job imho.

[PaulMercer]

Still trying these photos and only letting me do 1 at a time.

I did get the diff oil changed as well and both driveshafts went away for re booting, I can't think of anything else that should require doing

This photo is the engine ready to be lifted from the car

[PaulMercer]

Getting away with it one at a time.

This is the gearbox awaiting fluid and filter change

[PaulMercer]

Bits of guide recovered from sump

[PaulMercer]

A very sad X5 , if it wasn't for the fact that I owned the 4.6 I probably would of just looked for a new one.

[PaulMercer]

Block back from cleaning, all big ends checked and mechanic was very surprised of how good a condition it was in. No step or scarring of liners and all pistons in good condition.

[electricalserv x5]

all the best with the 4.6is. I did mine back in 2010 be careful how works on your car and engine too.

[jcp240z]

I just did the same, pulled the motor and transmission. My transmission was going, so I decided to be safe. Was worried about the timing. Replaced everything through the motor (seals, gaskets, rebuilt vanos, etc.) You'll be happy. Get your covers cleaned and powder coated. You'll appreciate it for all the money and time your dropping on it.