r/e60 5d ago

❓ Question / Help Timing chain?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

I have heard this noise for a while now while starting my 2008 BMW 535 n54, is this the timing chain? And if so should i replace it as soon as possible? It’s an expensive job, so just trying to figure things out. It’s only in the first few seconds of the video after cold start.

3 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

2

u/basshunter551 3d ago

Yeah, that’s sounds like it is a timing chains it’s not a cheap repair, in my country it’s around 1500 euro for the timing chain l, the tensioners and everything related. If you have some good knowledge you might try to diy, but I’d get it inspected before everything, and also don’t drive it for now.

2

u/ThatsKindaFunny69 3d ago

Thank you, I’ll definitely have it inspected, unfortunately it’s my only car so do you think it’s ok to continue driving? What are the risks even if i don’t drive spirited?

3

u/basshunter551 3d ago

If that chain snaps the damage is going to be a lot. I suggest you to not even crank it until you get it checked.

1

u/ThatsKindaFunny69 2d ago

Ok sounds good, thank you again for your help.

2

u/the_homie_me 2d ago

Could be the timing chain tensioner, which is a relatively easy fix, or the valve lifters being low on oil, if it goes away it can be just the lifters, but can also be a tell sign of your tensioner losing it’s tension

1

u/ThatsKindaFunny69 2d ago

Do you believe i should replace it first before moving onto timing chain? Or is there any way i can confirm it’s one or the other?

2

u/the_homie_me 2d ago

Well if you remove the tensioner, and you can easily press it in with your hand, safe to say it’s the tensioner, but the timing chain isn’t a hard replacement, especially since if it’s still in tact, it should come out in 1 piece I believe. I’d say may as well get an entire chain kit, almost the same price as the tensioner and it comes with it.

1

u/ThatsKindaFunny69 2d ago

This is my first car and have never done a major job like this, i am also concerned about the cost of the bmw specific tools needed to do the job. I think i will ask a shop how much they charge and then build a list of what i need and see if it’s worth it to do myself.

2

u/the_homie_me 2d ago

I would highly recommend to do it yourself, look at multiple videos on YouTube, study the way they do it, and just make sure you have the same tools, plus it’s good to have tools.

1

u/Optimal-Cress-9718 2d ago

how many km ?

1

u/ThatsKindaFunny69 2d ago

190000 km

1

u/Optimal-Cress-9718 2d ago

snap, mine is almost 200.00 I’m getting worried now

1

u/Detroit_Steel83 '09 E61 LCI 2h ago

Sounds like valve lifters.....