about to get '03 X5, how hard is timing chain/guide?
 

its actually not for me, but my parents

they are about to buy a 2003 X5 4.4 V8 with 106,000 miles for about $9000

the interior is in flawless condition, and it drives with no anomalies and seems to accelerate hard. its also got new tires. i think overall its a fair price.

ive done lots of engine rebuilding and pretty much every mechanical procedure imaginable on an old chrysler 4 cylinder, but i have no idea what to expect on the X5.

from what i've read it seems like the timing chain/timing guide are the timebomb of choice for this engine (M62TUB44), so I've done a minor amount of research and it looks like one can rent the tools for $75 and get all the parts for about $600. is that realistic?

are there any X5-specific procedures for the timing chain/guide replacement out there? seems like all i can find are just the engine, or sedans.

if anyones done this on an X5 id really like to hear your opinion on how it went.

are there any other significant time bombs I should be aware of on this vehicle?

thanks for any help! :thumbup:

I have 151k on my 2004 4.4i

Original timing chains, guides and tensioners. Not a peep and no issues so far. I'll replace them when I get in there this spring to do the cover gaskets and such.

At 100k on these trucks I wouldn't be too worried about the chains or related parts if the engine was maintained properly. I have a friend with an E39 540I with 220K on the original timing chains and stuff.

thanks for the reply!

wow thats alot of mileage..im hoping this doesnt need to be done but im just planning for worst case scenario..i keep reading that it can happen with little or no warning

'03 4.4 X5 sport pkg here, same M62 engine ('04 and later are N62). Over 175k miles and no issues.

for preventive maintenance i would do ccv system, if anyone disagrees with me jump in.

good to hear

i would like to do some diagnostics to see where the engine stands...it seems that removing the spark plugs and cranking it is supposed to make it easier to hear chain/guide noises..but i dont have a reference to compare it to :/

also i think i read of some particular ecu faults codes that are relevant to things going south....

are there any other pre-emptive tests i can do?

will look into this thanks..i remember seeing those milkshake pics now..did you do this maintenance on yours and how was it?

i got my x in july of last year and didn`t change it yet and went through the -30c weather with no probs their, I unhooked the ccv hose at top of valve cover and there was a slight bit of milky stuff,you could barely notice it, so I didn`t bother changing it. and also I made sure there was no pressure pushing out the oil fill cap on the valve cover buy taking a piece of suran rap and cover the oil fill hole with it to see if it blows out or sucks , if it sucks in then you know you don`t have and built up pressure .I read it on this site or another one .their probally is a gauge you could use to check with . I did price mine out (3.0i 6cyl) for about 250.00 . but i think the 8 cyl might be harder to do though.

Comparing the skills required to rebuild a Chrysler 4 banger with a BMW multi valves vanos controlled V8 is like comparing an early brick phone with the latest Iphone.

If you have a laptop and BMW scanner software you can scan the BMW for any pending faults that hasn't set off the SES (Service Engine Soon) light or CEL.

on my e38, i blew through 150k, it wasn't until 175k I had to mess with guides and chains. if you're parents only drive 10-12k per year, that engine still has years of happy driving in it. don't worry now about something that "might" happen 6-7 yrs from now.