RIP one more E53
 

Driving along - terrible sound started coming from engine and lost power. Towed to the mechanic over the weekend. Mechanic has discovered zero compression on cylinders 1-4. Most likely timing chain has jumped, best case scenario is a timing chain job costing half the cars value.

I was really hoping to bring this old beauty back to a reliable runabout, but it was not meant to be!

That sucks big time [emoji853]

Contact LVR and WPOLL and part it out so at least some other e53's can live longer. Seems like the parts places down there buy them for scrap prices but sell as gold plated...

Maybe between all of you down there you can recoup your money especially if you have yard space for it to wait.

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My mechanic recommended a few wreckers that they use for parts, the first two weren't interested and the third is calling me back tomorrow.

I wonder if there is a less than terminal reason for having no compression on one bank?

I'm not sure how it can be just one side. You use the phrase chain "jumped" like fell off the sprocket but there is no way you'd be able to still turn the engine to test the other bank if that happened.

When a chain comes off while running its nearly certain to break the chain.

The main chain only goes to the intake cams. there is a small chain that goes from intake to exhaust. If that chain broke and the exhaust cam is not moving you won't have compression on that whole bank (Some chance one cylinder would be closed).

I can't remember if the exhaust side is interference with pistons but I seem to remember replacing both intake and exhaust valves when recovering M62 from timing chain death.

One of three we caught before the chain broke and no head or valve work, one we had to remove both heads and replace about 8 valves, one we had to remove one head and replace a few valves.

If you have a garage to work in and a buddy to help it can be DIY. I did one basically solo in about a week

Sorry to hear it - how many miles did you have on her?