Expected cost to change timing chain guides?

59vampire · #1 10-02-2016, 08:51 AM

I picked up a very well maintained 2002 x5 4.4. My mechanic says I do not need to do this at the moment. However, I like to keep a head of the curve. Before I ask him for the quote, what should I expect? EEuro has a kit for 275 so I figure original parts would be twice that. But what about the labor?

bmw540san · #2 10-02-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 59vampire

I picked up a very well maintained 2002 x5 4.4. My mechanic says I do not need to do this at the moment. However, I like to keep a head of the curve. Before I ask him for the quote, what should I expect? EEuro has a kit for 275 so I figure original parts would be twice that. But what about the labor?

I've done mine on 540 and it's either typo or $275 is way low.
IMO, there is no kit, but if as I did on 540, the only right way to do it is this:
How long you're going to keep it?
How many miles on vehicle / components?
For example, if you're removing original WP with 140k miles and you're going to keep vehicle for a while, it makes complete sense to spend extra $100 or whatever and not duplicate labor 3 months later etc...
So, IMO you're looking at $700+ minimum IIRC for part only.
As far as labor goes, of course it depends where you go and I've done my own but It does trend around $1500+ IIRC

59vampire · #3 10-02-2016, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the reply. The car has now 104k and I plan to keep it for as long as possible. I bought it for my older son who should have it for two years until he goes to college the. For me a year until it gets to my younger son

The kit I saw was at eeuroparts and was just the chain guide. Was the 1500 you suggested for all parts and labor? Should I replace everything meaning every thing associated with the timing?

I would like this car to last as previous owner did brakes alternator radiator valve gaskets etc.

Thanks for the advice

X53Jay4.8is · #4 10-02-2016, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 59vampire

I picked up a very well maintained 2002 x5 4.4. My mechanic says I do not need to do this at the moment. However, I like to keep a head of the curve. Before I ask him for the quote, what should I expect? EEuro has a kit for 275 so I figure original parts would be twice that. But what about the labor?

Mistake Number 1.: Save some money by buying some cheaper parts. DO NOT USE CHEAP PARTS - get the OE parts from the dealer/dealer distributor

Mistake Number 2: Labor is going to be cheap. Labor will not be cheap for this repair. This is a labor intensive process.

Mistake Number 3: Only addressed the timing guides. While the engine is ripped down there are number of other things that should be addressed at this time. For instance the cooling system should be overhauled ( all hoses, thermostat, o-rings, water pump, etc.), timing chain, CCV system, tensioners, intake gaskets, valley pan gasket cooling tray, etc.

59vampire · #5 10-02-2016, 02:54 PM

Thank you for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

upallnight · #6 10-02-2016, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Mistake Number 1.: Save some money by buying some cheaper parts. DO NOT USE CHEAP PARTS - get the OE parts from the dealer/dealer distributor

Mistake Number 2: Labor is going to be cheap. Labor will not be cheap for this repair. This is a labor intensive process.

Mistake Number 3: Only addressed the timing guides. While the engine is ripped down there are number of other things that should be addressed at this time. For instance the cooling system should be overhauled ( all hoses, thermostat, o-rings, water pump, etc.), timing chain, CCV system, tensioners, intake gaskets, valley pan gasket cooling tray, etc.

Mistake Number 4: Buying a used X5 without a warranty and not being a diyer.

X53Jay4.8is · #7 10-02-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upallnight

Mistake Number 4: Buying a used X5 without a warranty and not being a diyer.

Oh this one is funny

59vampire · #8 10-02-2016, 04:37 PM

Not a diyer but got the car from original owner with so many parts replaced and in such good condition. And far below market. I don't mind having to put this work in as I want it to be preventative. It is not needed at the moment but want to do it before it is needed.

Going back through the records, at 101k the water pump ac drive belt, ac belt tensioner, acc tensioner pulley with lever, and ac tensioner pulley with lever was done o rings etc., drive belt. Acc belt tensioner tons of o rings lol., thermostat or ING, camshaft solenoid gasket, adjuster seat, timing cover seal strips. Hoses were done prior to that.

Based on all this I think I can just do the complete timing chains and guides and not have to do the water pumps etc.

But if there is somethingim missing let me know. I just got the bently manual and will try and learn more. Someone mentioned CCV. What is that?

Thanks. I may not be a diyer but am an enthusiast. My last bmw was an e24 that I did a full ground up on. Loved that car. But that car was the beginning of the end of my marriage. Lol. It was worth it!

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

bmw540san · #9 10-02-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 59vampire

Not a diyer but got the car from original owner with so many parts replaced and in such good condition. And far below market. I don't mind having to put this work in as I want it to be preventative. It is not needed at the moment but want to do it before it is needed.

Going back through the records, at 101k the water pump ac drive belt, ac belt tensioner, acc tensioner pulley with lever, and ac tensioner pulley with lever was done o rings etc., drive belt. Acc belt tensioner tons of o rings lol., thermostat or ING, camshaft solenoid gasket, adjuster seat, timing cover seal strips. Hoses were done prior to that.

Based on all this I think I can just do the complete timing chains and guides and not have to do the water pumps etc.

But if there is somethingim missing let me know. I just got the bently manual and will try and learn more. Someone mentioned CCV. What is that?

Thanks. I may not be a diyer but am an enthusiast. My last bmw was an e24 that I did a full ground up on. Loved that car. But that car was the beginning of the end of my marriage. Lol. It was worth it!

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

That's exactly what I meant. You reuse WP and of course buy the new gasket. The problem with kits you either waste money on parts or kit doesn't enough parts since every car has a different repair history.
While it does make your car being longer down, I always advise to tear everything down first since that way you exactly know what you do and don't need.
Besides Bentley, familiarize yourself wit REALOEM and for example that's where you'll see what they meant by CCV:
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog
Item #1 in this diagram.
Being serious DIY, I have respect for very few Indy's and none for dealers. Most of them tell you we've done bunch of these, we know what we doing... bla bla.
While I made plenty of mistakes, I know I've done them and I'll correct them. You take car somewhere for TC guides, you're basically playing lottery who's going to be working on you car and how professional they feel that day.

59vampire · #10 10-02-2016, 05:28 PM

I have a great independent and the Bently manual sucks! It doesn't cover timing chain for the 8 cylinder. What a waste of 100 bucks! I wonder if I can get amazon to take it back even thought opened it? Lol

I will go to real Oem. I also check the maximillian sight but it just really gives schematics and part numbers.

Thanks again