E53 X5 2003 4.4 Timing Chains
 

Good day,

I am just curious to hear from people that have actually completed changing timing chains on their X5

Did you take the entire front end off to complete the repair?

Is it possible to complete with the front end still on?

How hard is it to remove the front end

When I say front end I'm talking about radiator support, bumper, headlights the whole 9 yards

I plan on doing valley pan, vanos rings, valley pan, timing chains, cooling refresh, and a ccv rebuild.

Any help would be appreciated.

Follow TIS procedures and you will know exactly what to remove.

The front end stays on.

The really long how-to on the Beisan Systems webpage (he sells vanos rebuild kits) goes through most of the same steps in great detail with lots of pictures.

P.s. I did all this when I had the engine out. Easy that way...

Ok that's what I needed to know. I'll keep the front end on.


Yep I've read the beisan instructions about 4 times and printed them out to follow while I'm in there. I've also printed out the German auto specialties timing procedure and bought the professional kit with the crank holder tool and the vanos press. I have pices together and entire kit with all the parts diagrams from realoem. I'm hoping I didn't forget anything.

I have read and searched all forums for how to's and read all of them. Most of the forums showed e39 and e38 cars with the front end off so that's why I asked.

I think I need to do the same as I'm hearing rattling noise on the driver's side when cold. Going to replace the tensioner first as it's such an easy job to see if it's just that.

Keep us (well me) updated. Interested in how hard it is our if it's just tedious. Thanks

Im sure it is just tedious work. I dont have any noises or rattling but i have a P-0011 code that i cannot get rid of. I have replaced the solinoid but no luck. I figured mind as well do a complete preventitive maintenence on the truck just for pice of mind. All in for parts im at about $1000.00. Specialty tools is another story but i figured i will use them again.

For that P-0011 check that the installation of the CPS are not swapped. In bank1 they look exactly the same and the hole they go into look the same and therefore it's very easy to inadvertently swap them. Take a look at my post http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-misfires.html

If the install is correct you may want to try to do a DME Ram Backup via INPA toolset32 (Select d_motor.grp which will bring up the correct .prg file for your DME - scroll down the list of jobs - double click "RAM_backup"). This will reset all your adaptation values including the cams. I have read people even redoing timing and that code persists and only resolved by a Ram Backup.

Give this a shot and let us know what the results.

That is very interesting..........The provious owner I bought the car from has stated that he had all the oil leaks fixed on the truck to sell and after the service the check engine light came on. Im curious if the mechanic had taken off the cam chain covers and possibly swapped them? CPS is cam position sensors correct? Either way I will be pulling the bottom pan to make sure there are no chain rail pices.

Car runs great. Once every 10 starts it cranks a little bit more but other then that is is quiet and hauls the mail..

Does your car have the N62 engine? I'm referring to part # 6 in this diagram, 2 per bank. What are the vanos adaptation readings for both banks?

no it has the M62 2003

the CPS sensors are in the front of the engine right abouve the vanos solinoids

Fish..I did not do it myself but had a dealer shop foremen do it on a weekend. I have a 2002 4.4.

Also replace the "Pipe" that goes under the valley pan. The timing chain itself does not go bad, it's the plastic guides is what breaks from age. Also install a new timing chain tensioner. I would also buy a radiator, when mine can out it broke a few weeks later. Make sure you get valve cover gaskets too.

You do need to take out the radiator and everything back to the chains...nothing else.

The chains I feel are not a DIY job. My tech had a lot of problems with codes when he was done and had to do it again. The timing chain cam gears on the vanos system is the hard part. Just make sure you really do your research, if you get stuck on this and can not finish it not many people will work on it in that state. I'm just trying to tell you this is NO WAY like changing a timing chain on a American car. Just don't want to see you get burned..thats all.

I totaly understand. I ordered orings for both coolant tubes, valve cover gaskets with bolt washers, guide rails and chains ( i know the chains usually are not bad but i do not want to go back in there) and all associated gaskets/ bolts and so on.

I wouldnt say im an expert but i do know my way around cars. I know this is not an amature job but i am willing to take my time and double check and tripple check everything. It really sucks living in this state becuase there are no good mechanics around that will do this for an honest price. This is why i do all the homework and buy all the special tools to do the job right. I ordered the German Auto Solutions kit becuase it seemed to be a little more "user freindly" then the other timing kits available.

I planned on taking out the radiator but it was just replaced not to long ago.

Thanks for the comments and concerns! Im sure i will be back with questions.