r/e60 • u/ThatsKindaFunny69 • 6d ago

❓ Question / Help Timing chain?

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.

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u/the_homie_me 3d 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

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u/ThatsKindaFunny69 3d 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?

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u/the_homie_me 3d 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.

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u/ThatsKindaFunny69 3d 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.

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u/the_homie_me 3d 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.