Need input concerning timing guide replacement
 

It's time to replace the timing guides, rebuild the 2 vanos and replace all the stuff that I should while it is apart. I have read several threads, googled it and watched some youtube videos.

I have the following questions:

Which DIY instructions have you successfully used. Is there a useful video?

Have you rented rather than purchased the special tool kit needed? If so, where from?

It sounds like there a lots of opportunities to do or fail to do something that will require taking it apart again to correct? What do you think is the best way to avoid the land mines?

I would use BMW parts. Is there a better quality alternative?

Thanks in advance

Just use BMW parts. They're not too expensive and they were made for the motor. Get it all done and replace everything that you take off (except timing covers, ect.) but anything rubber or plastic replace. My guides and seals were done around 106k.

Bimmer Tool Rental has been good. I did the Beisan Vanos rebuild at the same time I did my timing parts. Rented the tools from Bimmer Tool Rental, bought the seals directly from Beisan. There is a great diy on the Beisan website

I intend to do both. I have gone through the Beisan pictures. I am hoping there is a video that I can use in conjunction with a DIY like that. I would like to read other DIYs for comparison.

The one thing I had to go back and replace was the two cross over water pipes. They were slightly corroded, so I polished them up and put them back (new seals and such), but they started leaking the next cold snap. It is still a chore on the 4.4 M62, but not nearly as bad as on the N62. Bought new ones and had no more leaks.

There was one odd assembly instruction (it pays to read ahead...) - from a slightly foggy memory, it was that the front covers have some wiggle room when you bolt them up, and like to sit high if you don't pay attention - so you aren't supposed to tighten them the last bit until later in the process to make sure they aren't standing proud and interfereing with the valve cover.

Sub to this. I just don't trust the previous owner's mechanic seeing how he couldn't even put a belt in correctly and left tools IN some pockets found in the engine bay.

Not sure I understand your point but I bought my E53 new.

Subscribed to this. I'm planning on doing the same and want to hear some pointers even though PO said it was done but...

If you mean original poster, that is me and I have not done the job. I am gathering information about the task.

Brian, let me know if you're looking into swapping out the OE radiator during the TC guide swap. I have a brand new double boxed OEM Behr unit sitting in my garage. PM me if you're interested.

Thanks James. I'm interested.

Here's a pic so you can double check the PN. I'm sure the '03 4.4 and 4.6is use a common unit.

AutohausAZ shows the same PN for both engines.

Brian, I'm heading to the FL house on March 6th, won't be back in TX until mid April.

If you plan on doing the TC guide job before mid April, let me know so I can get the radiator out to you B4 I leave.

I'm pondering when I will start the job, I have been working on my wife's 335.
That's done but I still have lots of work to do on my daughter's 944 before I can start mine. Thanks for the alert.

No problem Brian.

I'm heading out to FL for the Sebring 12hr (will be there all week, BMW is the featured marque and BMW club vehicles will be allowed on track, will be first time in the X).

Hope you will be taking pictures and video

Already downloaded/cleared the camera memory cards!

Wish you guys lived closer... I would ask if I can help out so when I do it, I'd have some hands on experience though changing fluids isn't that difficult.


Have fun in Florida...

Will do, IMSA 12hr endurance race & BMW track lapping, hard not to have fun!

Do you want a copy of the TIS document for replacing the chain guides? I can get it to you tomorrow.

I just started the same thing. I'm doing valley pan and CCV rebuild too. I just bought the tools to do it all. For some reason I can see in the future doing this repair again. Check out German Auto Solutions for the timing kit. I feel like there is less margin for error with that kit. It's also not a Chinese knockoff. As for the vanos just went with beisan systems and bought the press. You will also need a 27MM socket for the crank bolt and the crank holding tool. I was able to get a blue point 3/4 inch impact after the radiator was removed so no holder was needed. You will need the usuall BMW tools like fan remover and a good set of torx bits as well.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...09c007a2ed.jpg

As you can see this is as far as I have gotten. All bolts I've taken out are labeled in a ziplock back and stuck to a pice of cardboard(keeps them out of the way).

I have an excel file with all the parts breakdown and prices through ECS for all parts needed if you would like a copy. All in i have about $800 in hard parts...not including tools. Thaat is for BMW CCV, valey pan and all orings and seals to do all repairs to chains. Tools I have about $1000 into.

As far a BMW parts I used oem when it comes to the guides and special parts but went aftermarket for seals and orings and such.

If you won't be starting for a while we could work out a plan to rent all the tools needed to do timing chains after I am finished with them. I have to use them first lol.


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Yes, please.

If you run into any questions this might be handy, the BMW direct tech data site.....

https://www.bmwtis.com/

I have not decided on a start date. I am not as prepared as I want to be. I checked for error codes last night and there weren't any. I also did the stethoscope check and everything sounds normal.

I may be interested in renting the special tools. I will check with you when I decide to dive in. Thanks for the offer.

I would love to have a copy of your excel file for reference. That would be extremely useful in this prep process. I will send a PM.

I have been looking at kits for the same reason. I hate it when a project stops until a $.30 part comes from Germany. My plan for parts is the same and other stuff wise to do at the same time if for no other reason than peace of mind.

I am pushing the limits of the driveline so I am going to start with changing fluids in the difs, TC and transmission. Last night I got everything laid out to change the chain tensioner to the revised version. Since the roads are icy and we have snow coming tonight I won't be going out anyway.

My daughter who is a motorhead and extremely organized will be doing the parts labeling and laying them out in order of disassembly for the timing chain and vanos project. She is also great at researching.

What I would like to find is a DIY that lists all areas where mistakes are most often made and what to do to prevent them from happening. I am going to try to find a BMW tech that is familiar with this project and see if they are interested in doing some moonlighting during the assembly. I have some talented friends that will help but they are all 3 series based or haven't done this particular project.

On projects like this I am both half full and half empty. I plan for the worst and don't start until I am confident it will go well.

If you want another set of eyes on this job and I'm back from FL, shoot me a PM and I'm there Brian.

That's the best way to go at it. Take your time. Another good read it the vanos oring procedure on beisan web sight. German auto solutions also has good instructions on how to time the engine using their kit. It is only their kit but gives you a good idea on how it works.

I am just starting mine and the weather hasn't been habitable (Wisconsin) but hope to make some headway soon.

Another way to check the health of the engine is to pull the lower pan. $10 gasket and it is all accessible from the bottom without removing anything. Drop the pan and see if there are any plastic shrapnel from the guides. A good time to check oil pump bolts too.


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Here are some technical documents that might help you. I also sent them to your email but I figured I'd post them here for anyone else who is interested.

Sorry guys. The other two documents (the most important) are to large to upload here. I'll try hosting them and putting up a link tomorrow.

A couple of random tips -

Now that you have the cooling system hoses off, its pretty easy to remove the top plastic trim and lift the radiator out. The transmission cooler is held in with some clips, you can separate that from the back of the radiator without leaking tranny fluid (it would leak coolant, but you have drained that). Gives you tons more room.

I noticed you hadn't put any marks on the black/blue black/white vacuum tubing. I didn't either than struggled to get them put back correctly (I removed the full intake, also). If that is the original vacuum tubing, its a good time to replace it... The plastic vacuum accumulator (looks like a like cylinder) and the the black/white vacuum check valve should be marked with a direction to save this confusion.

I think chivas is speaking about his particular X5's Previous Owner (not Original Poster!)
I am going to do my Vanos soon, and i will pick up my stuff from Biesan, Ive spoken with him on the phone, Great guy, lots of good advice!

I have this link saved for when I tackle the job. Hope it helps. My '03 4.4 still sounds good at 140k, but I'm going to get on it in the next couple of months.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/876903

Thanks for the write up!

I want to make sure all contributors thus far know how pleased I am with all the input. Many many thanks!

Each post has added important information to the project. I welcome more input.

It sounds like it is easy to tear the upper oil pan gasket. I have not read anything about how to prevent that from happening. Some say to cut a new piece to repair that area of the gasket if it tears and some say it is necessary to drop the suspension and replace the gasket. I would like more information about that issue. I would like to avoid tearing the gasket if possible.