resurrecting this one...

so i've been acquiring parts to address the noise issue, just wondering if anyone has anything to add to this list that i should be doing while i'm at it...here's everything i have planned:

• VANOS refurb - new seals and bearings from Besian Systems
• valve cover gasket/grommets/spark plug seals
• spark plugs
• water pump
• water pump pulley - replace with metal pulley
• oil filter housing seal
• belts
• belt idlers/tensioners -- here's where i'm a bit confused as to what i need. i have not purchased these parts yet. how do i know if i have a hydraulic tensioner or not? can someone clarify what i should be replacing here?

as always, thanks for your input and guidance!

Don't buy victor reinz vcg. Lots of issues with leaks.

My 2003 4.4i sounds exactly the same, it's at the shop right now and they are telling me I need a new engine!Please let me know what you did to fix the issue, I plan on getting the X flat bedded back home and doing the repair my self. Thanks guys

Just get a hydraulic main tensioner, new idler pulley, ac tensioner, and ac belt and alt belt.

Even if you have mechanical tensioner to begin with you can replace with hydraulic it mounts almost the same

Appreciate the quick reply, I plan on ordering the parts tonight.I owe ya one if this works out! :beerchug:

AJ USA VCG's suck too. Just put one in my wife's 2002 M3 after doing a complete Beisan Systems vanos upgrade. Drip. Drip. Not my first rodeo either. Even went so far as to goo things up on a redo. Still no joy.

Watch the back corner, passenger side as well as the 1/2 moons (if your motor has those in the back). A little dab on the front corners where the timing chain cover and valve cover intersect.

I'll be honest...I'm so sick and tired of throwing parts at this thing, it's currently on the chopping block. There is ALWAYS something that needs addressing. My 2001 had 89k on it when I bought it a year and a half ago and I've only put about 14k on it since...I've done everything I listed above--Vanos, belt tensioners & pulleys, water pump, VCG, hoses, coils, plugs, CCV system, new DISA, new intake boot, cleaned throttle body and ICV, thermostat, and a handful of sensors...the thing STILL sounds like crap. I'm figuring it's either a lifter tick or a cracked exhaust manifold, neither of which would be inexpensive to fix. And this is on top of all the suspension issues I've had...something is almost ALWAYS clunking, even after just replacing all four shocks and sway bar links a few months ago. Couldn't get it to pass emissions inspection a few months ago...tried multiple times, did the drive cycles as specified, replaced some sensors, and it STILL was saying "heated O2 sensor not ready." Bunch of crap. Finally ended up lying to the DMV and telling them my vehicle was kept in a county that doesn't require emissions testing. The good thing about that is I never have to deal with emissions anymore, but hopefully this beast will be out of my hair in a few months anyhow. I've always loved German cars, but this is my first BMW and it just isn't doing it for me...

Castrol is not a must. Here's a pic of my +180k mile valvetrain, the cam lobe grind lines from manufacturing are still visible.

This motor did 100k miles at SII change on BMW oil (Castrol) and +80k at 60% SII change on Mobil [1] 0-40 EuroCar Formula.

Motor still pulls like new, people have commented they can't feel/hear it idling, inside and in front of X.

Disregard date on pic, it was taken last week. Did not reset date on camera.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. All the things that you've replaced are just maintenance stuffs that needs replacing after 13+ years. You either pay at the front end (new car) or the back end (used) with these cars. It would appeared that I'm paying at both ends :( I've replaced almost all of the items that you've mentioned...and then some. Approaching 95K now on my '04, it's still purring like the day I got it with 10 miles on it. Even with all these maintenance items, it's still only a fraction of the cost of a new car.

+1 :iagree:


My own share: (you are not alone)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7f6c892c.jpg

When it was still under warranty:
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps13353397.jpg