VANOS - Uh Oh?
 

Last week I heard the supercharger sounding whining noise coming from my X 4.6IS. 2 or 3 days later, it ran rough, followed by check engine light the next day. I pulled the codes and have several misfire codes and two VANOS codes.

I've searched the threads on here, all seems to be pointing towards failure of the VANOS or the chain tensioner?!

Had it flatbedded to the Local Euro Indy for diagnosis Monday. What should I be wary of? While it's in there, is there anything else that should be changed?

Am I likely looking at just replacing the timing chain tensioner which from what I read will tighten up the chain and bring everything back as should be or am I staring in the face of changing both VANOS completely?

Not sure if your problem is the same but it sounds similar to mine - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...my-pocket.html

Hopefully your problem is just the tensioner - if it's the guides and you have as many miles as I do, you may want to peruse the list on page 2 which will give you an idea on cost for parts at least. Of course, what you have to replace will also depend on what has already been done i.e. valley pan, water pump, etc.

Turns out it's a broken timing chain guide! this ones going to be expen$ive -
As soon as i get this thing back i'm filing for a divorce. BMW ex-5

might be a dumb question, but do 3.0 have chain guide? i have a ticking noise, but i hope it's the exhaust or the Disa valve...

yes
 

Yes they do but there all plastic or they dont fail like they do on the v8s .