Vanos Rattle....
 

So, after searching the forums, I found a few You Tube vids that sound the same as what my '01 4.4 is doing.


Slight rattle, not too horrible yet, compared to most that I saw. Can I get away with just doing the tensioners, or is it usually too late if its rattling?

put the link up

Just finished my Vanos rebuild, and chain guide rebuild last week. It is a big job..

Mine started with the usual Vanos rattle at startup, and had done that for years. I replaced the chain tensioner with the newer version, and that helped some, but didn't cure it.

Then it started a whine type of noise that I could figure out, followed by what I describe as the cam chain slapping at idle. It wasn't bad, just a tick every now and then at idle. Off idle and going, no noise at all. But, I feared that it would get worse quickly, or so I have read.

So I bit the bullet and tore it all the way down to replace the chain guides, and did the Vanos rebuild while I was there. And other stuff.. Here is the Vanos rebuild DIY from Beisan Systems. M62TU engine
Beisan Systems - Procedures - M62TU Vanos Procedure
It is based on either a 5 or 7 series, but it is pretty close to the X5.

If your guides are failing, don't drive it. If the chain skips a tooth, its all over. Not to mention your oil pump pick up getting clogged with parts..