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Timing chain issue ?

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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srhutch
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by srhutch » Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:08 am

Cooky3 wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:42 pm I have just found this on YouTube. The same issue I have it seems and possibly an oil filter problem. Really?

https://youtu.be/KXbAg90G7tY

Tried posting my vid - just need to find it now :cry:
I can confirm I had an issue with the oil filter straight after a change by my local main dealer. Can’t remember the sound. Might have posted about it on here. Singer sewing machine rings a bell, but dealer sorted. Also recall mine was doing it at idle. This was on a 2.5si n52 by the way.
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by ph001 » Tue Sep 26, 2017 10:49 am

Any news on this?
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Tue Sep 26, 2017 8:20 pm

Hi all. Apologies for the radio silence...

James and I have visited a bmw master tech tonight. Obviously knows his stuff. He said whatever the issue is, the noise he has heard is not common! He needs to strip some covers etc off and do some diagnostic work with a stethoscope from cold but has narrowed it down to being on the intake side and thinks it could either be an issue with the upper timing chain guide or could be a VANOS hub. The latter being a bigger job as requiring a timing reset when done and quite complex on these apparently (everything is complex to me)...

Can't believe this is the start of Z4 ownership. :o the sun has been out too!

On a separate note, James has been nothing but a gent about the whole caper... He has spent more time on the car since my ownership than in the entire three years it was his apparently... He will be going to heaven it seems!

Saga continues...
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Jester's dead!

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ph001
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:23 am

Thanks for the update Cooky, for what it's worth the VANOS on the N52 is much simpler and easier to work on than the likes of the M cars, so hopefully not too expensive either way.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:04 pm

Hi peeps. So in essence, help needed here from any master techs or those in the know. Issue still yet to be resolved. Summary as follows:

2.5si
59k miles
Engine sounds normal on start up when cold
Tickover is perfect - no hunting
Engine sounds and runs normal when temp up
Noise appears when engine properly warm only, but temp gauge still in middle but:
No noise at idle
Noise appears at about 1500-1800 rpm
Is there when the car is being driven through revs
Goes away at idle again

Anybody have any ideas?

Clearly it’s intermittent, putting off a few from looking at it.

And having just bought the car I don’t really want to leave an open cheque book for whoever does look at it!

Please help.

Depressed Z4 owner! :(
I ain't fallin for no banana in my tail-pipe!
Jester's dead!

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by ph001 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:20 pm

Did the master BMW tech guy confirm it wasn't timing chain or VANOS related then? Tried it with the serp belt off yet?
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:16 pm

No. That is what the master tech was guessing at pre proper diagnostic checks etc...

Just re-stating what is happening in case somebody on here has an idea based on the description summarised...

:?
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Smartbear
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Smartbear » Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:19 pm

I should think a fubard chain/tensioner would be noisy over a much wider rpm range than that, as previously mentioned I'd run it up with the ancillary belt removed & have another listen.
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by 1000rr » Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:19 pm

I know it sounds weird, but check the heatsheilds underneath, by the side skirts. These can come loose and produce a rattle when revved.
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Cooky3
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 10:25 pm

Thanks for the responses. Running it somewhere tomorrow for a further opinion.

James checked the heat shields on Saturday when on a ramp - all seemed fine...

Will see what happens over the weekend. :|
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Jester's dead!

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Mon Oct 02, 2017 7:41 pm

Just an update for those interested.

Called into specialist in Kings Lynn (recommendation) and he said it was not a noise / issue he had come across in his time. Used a listening stick and thought it was coming from the timing chain area but couldn't be sure without opening it up. Too busy though and some big jobs booked in so not able to help,

Went to another recommended old school but very experienced mechanic familiar with BMW's. Also thought it sounded like timing chain but again difficult to say without opening it up.. Suggested fitting a timing chain tensioner. Done, but noise still there although he thinks there has been a subtle change in the noise and when it appears. The old tensioner was weak in comparison to the new...

James is adamant this noise was not there previously, but he did change the oil and filter only a couple of weeks before I bought the car. He also replaced the Miller filter with a genuine BMW dealer item last weekend again, but the noise is still there.

What oil filter related areas could be causing this? Seal, housing unit, release valve (bearing sitting under the filter or similar) etc? You can't miss the noise so I believe it must have literally appeared as James suggests...

Castrol magnatec 5-30 fully synthetic BMW approved oil was used...

HELP! PLEASE! :headbang:
I ain't fallin for no banana in my tail-pipe!
Jester's dead!

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:46 pm

Hi all.

Still no resolution to this. Car is being investigated tomorrow so hopefully they will find out what the problem is...

Any thoughts from forum members appreciated prior to commencement of work tomorrow....

Cheers.
I ain't fallin for no banana in my tail-pipe!
Jester's dead!

Mike6
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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Mike6 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 5:19 pm

Probably discounted earlier in this thread but how about serpentine belt tensioner or alternator etc bearing.

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Smartbear » Sun Oct 08, 2017 5:41 pm

Mike6 wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 5:19 pm Probably discounted earlier in this thread but how about serpentine belt tensioner or alternator etc bearing.
Its already been suggested to run the car up with the belt disconnected for exactly those reasons Mike :thumbsup:
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e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Timing chain issue ?

Post by Cooky3 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:38 pm

Cheers guys. The noise (video early on in thread) only occurs when the engine is properly warmed up - i.e. No noise initially when gauge up to temperature, only when the car is thoroughly warm (but still in the middle of the gauge) so can't understand why that would be...?
I ain't fallin for no banana in my tail-pipe!
Jester's dead!

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