I thought I would share this with everyone as when I was looking to fix my timing chain tensioner I couldn't find any photos or solid guide on how to fix the "Death Rattle" AKA the timing chain tensioner failing.
I finally decided to fix the problem myself instead of paying them twats aka BMW over £500 to do the work on my car which I could not justify, let alone the expensive price to fix it I just don't trust them touching my car. The overall cost to fix the timing chain tensioner is actually just the part that is best brought from your local BMW garage or off the internet. I decided to get mine from BMW.
The part number is 11 31 7 510 801 and cost me around £30 (think it was £31.80 or something in that region)
Anywhoo rant over...
To decipher whether you have the problem of the timing chain tensioner failing it will sound basically like a tractor on start-up and tick over and as you rev above 2k the sound will disappear although I strongly recommend that you do not drive or rev the car whatsoever as the underlying problem could be far worse. There are a few videos on you tube that give you an idea of what the sound is like.
After reading a few threads I got an idea of what tools I would need, however I think I have found a simple very fast basic way and Il add photos as well.
The main essential tools that you will need are:
3/8 " 19mm Socket
3/8 " ratchet
A bucket/bowel
Guide:
Firsts things first you will need to jack up the car to take off the driver's side wheel (offside front) - I recommend putting an axle stand under the subframe or something there just in case the jack fails - I very much doubt it will but it's still best to be safe than sorry!
Once removing the wheel you should get a good view of the back of the engine.
When I fixed mine I read a guide that advised you to take off the wheel liner however you don't really have to do this it might just give you more room to maneuver however I found it a bit of a waste of time.
Once you have the wheel (and the wheel liner off if you want to take it off) you will have to locate the bolt.
[original image host link no longer valid]
The photo above is brief but gives you an indication of where you have to start looking.
The bolt that you are looking for is found on the back of the block and can be found opposite the oil housing. See the photo below - the bolt is circled in red!
[original image host link no longer valid]
The red circle depicts where the bolt is - This photo was taken after the timing chain tensioner was replaced!
My advice is to locate the bolt and then place the socket on the bolt. Once the socket is on the bolt attach the ratchet to the socket. There is very limited room so you will have to jiggle the ratchet about to get it onto the socket - but don't worry it will go on.
[original image host link no longer valid]
Once you have untightened the bolt - "cracked" the bolt - unscrew it with your hand!
Don't worry some oil will come out through the hole and it's best to have a bowl or something below the block so the oil doesn't go everywhere although it will only be a trickle as you can see in one of the photos!
Once you have taken off the bolt the timing chain tensioner will just be sitting there. All you have to do is pull the timing chain tensioner out and get the new one and if you want rub some oil on the new one to lubricate it - although this is not essential!
Place the new timing chain tensioner in the hole (the metal part goes in first and the plastic part will touch the bolt) and put the bolt back on - screw it up with your fingers and tighten up as much as you can - some say as tight as you would fix a sump plug back on!
Once you have tightened everything back up. Put your key in the ignition and turn the car on and then off immediately (So as soon as it turns over turn it off) - Do this 3 times and then let your engine run for as long as you want to. This is just to get the oil flowing again.
You have now fixed the "Death Rattle" and saved yourself well over £500 from BMW - CONGRATULATIONS!!
It really is that easy and does save you a hell of a lot of money and is nice to fix your car yourself and not by someone else.
If you have any questions just post below I'm sure il be able to help or anyone else on the forum will but my step-by-step process is fairly simple and straightforward. Some other users may say to go from the top of the engine but I found doing this way fast and simple and you will be able to fix your car for £450 including parts. Ahah I'm joking do it yourselves you lazy B******S.
The time that it will take is around an hour if you haven't done it before but should really only take 30 minutes if that!
Hope this helps.
Cheers.
I finally decided to fix the problem myself instead of paying them twats aka BMW over £500 to do the work on my car which I could not justify, let alone the expensive price to fix it I just don't trust them touching my car. The overall cost to fix the timing chain tensioner is actually just the part that is best brought from your local BMW garage or off the internet. I decided to get mine from BMW.
The part number is 11 31 7 510 801 and cost me around £30 (think it was £31.80 or something in that region)
Anywhoo rant over...
To decipher whether you have the problem of the timing chain tensioner failing it will sound basically like a tractor on start-up and tick over and as you rev above 2k the sound will disappear although I strongly recommend that you do not drive or rev the car whatsoever as the underlying problem could be far worse. There are a few videos on you tube that give you an idea of what the sound is like.
After reading a few threads I got an idea of what tools I would need, however I think I have found a simple very fast basic way and Il add photos as well.
The main essential tools that you will need are:
3/8 " 19mm Socket
3/8 " ratchet
A bucket/bowel
Guide:
Firsts things first you will need to jack up the car to take off the driver's side wheel (offside front) - I recommend putting an axle stand under the subframe or something there just in case the jack fails - I very much doubt it will but it's still best to be safe than sorry!
Once removing the wheel you should get a good view of the back of the engine.
When I fixed mine I read a guide that advised you to take off the wheel liner however you don't really have to do this it might just give you more room to maneuver however I found it a bit of a waste of time.
Once you have the wheel (and the wheel liner off if you want to take it off) you will have to locate the bolt.
[original image host link no longer valid]
The photo above is brief but gives you an indication of where you have to start looking.
The bolt that you are looking for is found on the back of the block and can be found opposite the oil housing. See the photo below - the bolt is circled in red!
[original image host link no longer valid]
The red circle depicts where the bolt is - This photo was taken after the timing chain tensioner was replaced!
My advice is to locate the bolt and then place the socket on the bolt. Once the socket is on the bolt attach the ratchet to the socket. There is very limited room so you will have to jiggle the ratchet about to get it onto the socket - but don't worry it will go on.
[original image host link no longer valid]
Once you have untightened the bolt - "cracked" the bolt - unscrew it with your hand!
Don't worry some oil will come out through the hole and it's best to have a bowl or something below the block so the oil doesn't go everywhere although it will only be a trickle as you can see in one of the photos!
Once you have taken off the bolt the timing chain tensioner will just be sitting there. All you have to do is pull the timing chain tensioner out and get the new one and if you want rub some oil on the new one to lubricate it - although this is not essential!
Place the new timing chain tensioner in the hole (the metal part goes in first and the plastic part will touch the bolt) and put the bolt back on - screw it up with your fingers and tighten up as much as you can - some say as tight as you would fix a sump plug back on!
Once you have tightened everything back up. Put your key in the ignition and turn the car on and then off immediately (So as soon as it turns over turn it off) - Do this 3 times and then let your engine run for as long as you want to. This is just to get the oil flowing again.
You have now fixed the "Death Rattle" and saved yourself well over £500 from BMW - CONGRATULATIONS!!
It really is that easy and does save you a hell of a lot of money and is nice to fix your car yourself and not by someone else.
If you have any questions just post below I'm sure il be able to help or anyone else on the forum will but my step-by-step process is fairly simple and straightforward. Some other users may say to go from the top of the engine but I found doing this way fast and simple and you will be able to fix your car for £450 including parts. Ahah I'm joking do it yourselves you lazy B******S.
The time that it will take is around an hour if you haven't done it before but should really only take 30 minutes if that!
Hope this helps.
Cheers.
