Is it ok to drive with timing chain issues?

[dpb]

My 2002 X5 4.4i is sounding more like a diesel and have found one of the timing chains is loose. I have seen that it will cost a pretty penny to fix this and wondering if it is okay to still drive the very loud car for a bit or if I should store it until able to repair?

Thanks

[Roadkill]

It will only get worse. If you think a timing chain is a costly repair wait until it jumps a tooth. There goes the motor.

[rayxi]

[Nik]

I should say YES, but on my own experience, Mine had jumped tooth when I got it and drove like 5k miles till I fixed it. (adujsted teeth, still sounds like diesel, tensioner sound) but, every experienced BMW motor mechanic says the sound is OK as long as there are no other issues. I would drive it, but maybe jumping tooth could do some serious damage indeed, so decide on your own.

[heuer21]

I don't know enough about BMW engines to say if it is an interference engine or not. If it is then when the timing chain breaks pistons and valves will have a party and damage each other. If it is not an interference engine then you don't have a ton to worry about except more time in the shop to find TDC and adjust timing chain position. I probably wouldnt drive it regardless.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

How common are timing chain stretching problems? Is it only on V8s?

Does the chain really jump a teeth when it gets stretched?

I remember on my 318ic (M42 engine), the hydraulic timing chain tensionner was going bad every 2-3 years, and the chain was completly loose, rubbing on the chain cover at idle with a scary noise, but it never jumped a theeth. May be a different design.

[sasquatch]

Good info here about the M62 timing:

Is the m62 a non-interference engine? - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

From what I can tell the V8 is a "interference" type engine. If the timing chain breaks or skips a tooth chances are it will cause severe damage.