Vanos Noise
 

Anybody know what has to be done to the vanos system on an E53 w/85k to cut the rattle at start? Dealer replaced all the engine accessories (Alt, W/P, PS pump, idlers), noise till intermittent. Now they replaced the cam chain tensioner and oil pump and the "at start rattle/knock" is more frequent, in fact it really turns heads where ever I'm parked. The dealer said the vanos system is just noisy when they get that kind of milage, I just dont get it.....Any ideas??

belt tensioner was replaced on our X3 when it made a diesel clattering noise at startup. Try that.

Could it be a noisy valve lifter? Try listening with the hood open at startup. There are engine stethoscopes for finding noises like yours. Like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTO-...QQcmdZViewItem Good luck

Mine did that really bad every time I started it cold I changed to modile one ow- 40w synthetic and it has only done it once in the last month and only for half second try it and post you're results on my 0w-40w test thread good luck