M62TU Timing Chain Guides

[Loperamide]

Anyone know of an experienced and good reputable garage who will carry out this job on a 2003 X5 4.4i ?

Preferably in the North East area.

[Greydog]

Commiserations
Have you Googled BMW specialists in your area?

I had my 4.6 rebuilt 3 years ago unfortunately I live in West Sussex so I don't know if it will help but here you go

Walkers Autotech
8-9, Reliance Works, Newpound, Wisborough Green,
Billingshurst RH14 0AZ

Contact Andy Walker on 01403 741546

Very knowledgeable and helpful guy ex BMW he specializes in BMW and Porsche

Good Luck
Dave

[Loperamide]

Thanks for the reply Greydog.

Touch wood i don't have the issue yet, but i've heard its a ticking time bomb so i want to be ready lol.

I am at 118k miles at the moment. What mileage were you on when you had them done and how much did it cost?

Thanks.

[StuBeeDoo]

Have you Googled BMW specialists in your area?

I haven't used either of them, but IIRC there are at least 2 BMW specialists in Sunderland. The name Henry & "ex-Cooper" seems to ring a bell for one of them. There's also one in Shields who I have used but I wasn't particularly impressed with the last job they did for me - to be fair, though, that was well over 10 years ago.

[Greydog]

If you have no issues I would (a) change the chain tensioner as a precaution and (b) consider a pre-oiling systen to provide full oil pressure at start up.

Mine was at 90k when it let go with no warning signs, after examination I believe that the normal heat cycles do two things first make the plastic chain guides brittle and anneal and soften the spring in the tensioner. Reduced pressure in the tensioner allows accelerated wear at cold start which eventually becomes chain slap. My oil pump failed because the pick up was clogged with bits of guide plastic but I had no rattles.

Good Luck

[Greydog]

I spoke with Andy Walker he told me there is a Register of BMW Specialists you can Google that should help.

[Loperamide]

(b) consider a pre-oiling systen to provide full oil pressure at start up.

what do you mean by this? and how much did it cost to fix?

which engine oil do u use? is lower or higher viscosity oil better for faster oil pressure for example?

[Greydog]

When I worked out that oil pressure at start up was possibly the main culprit I started thinking of ways to either retain or build oil pressure prior to start. I did a lot of research and found www.engineprelube.com I made contact with them and spoke on the phone they recommended one of their systems which was around $350 inclusive of shipping (remember this was 3 years ago) Have a look at their website. I use 5 30 Castrol Edge so an oil change is still standard, just run the engine to charge the system then top up after that its straight forward. I also change oil at 5k intervals.
A couple of others on here have fitted them one picked a system up from the well known auction site for about half price.

[Loperamide]

Thanks for the info Greydog. How much did the timing chain repair cost on the whole?

[Greydog]

You have to remember that my oil pump clogged and failed so in my case it was a complete engine rebuild, it was also supported by my Warranty. Total cost was close to £5500 my contribution was 50% of labour cost £1200
I have read that others have had the guides done for around £2000 I would Google and talk to a few garages who do the work if you don't fancy doing it yourself.

Dave

[Themoog2]

Mine went at 150k. No warning just one morning on startup there was an almighty rattle.
It cost me £2100 to have it towed away, courtesy car and rebuild (3 days) at a place called Bartletts in Huntingdon.
Looking back I probably could have done it myself for half that price. Bartletts also took photos during the build for me and there is an awful lot of stuff to come out of the engine bay to do it. As a precaution on the other 4.4 I had at the time i installed a new tensioner. The difference of spring tension between old an new was remarkable.

[Loperamide]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Greydog, where did u get your warranty?

Themoog2, where did you get your tensioner? and did you prime it before installing?

[Greydog]

Morning
My Warranty was with Warranty Direct but the only cover up to 16 years so it is now out of cover from this month.

I get my tensioner's from Euro Car Parts (last one was £40 or so) but I have seen them on ebay etc. Top tip the tensioner comes closed (compressed) don't open it to check spring length (it will be about 1/3 longer on the new one) if you do you will struggle to get it back in as you will have to compress the spring while trying to start the threads while working upside down!! Guess how I learned that !!

Fit the new tensioner turn the engine several times with out letting it fire to get a little pressure to release the spring and away you go.

[Themoog2]

I got my tensioner from bmw. I think it was about £75. It was updated from the old one I removed - probably to help eliminate the guides getting smashed up on a cold start. Stuck it in and started the engine no probs.

[Loperamide]

Question....how does the tensioner spring open if installed while in the closed position? How/where does the oil get into the tensioner to prime it?

Lots of online guides showing to prime it before installing it.