BMW Rattling Timing Chain Fix in 30 mins under £70…Easy DIY

No video

BMW Rattling Timing Chain Fix in 30 mins under £70…Easy DIY

Рет қаралды 16,676

W15 Garage

5 ай бұрын

Tensioner OEM part number:
11 31 8 490 219

Пікірлер: 141

@ililiililliliill9498 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. I have been thinking alot about this fix for cold start rattle and i think a lot of n47/n57 engines could have been saved by changing this tensioner. I changed mine last september and the rattle is gone completely.

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I’m glad it’s working for others too. Best part, there is nothing to lose, but a lot to gain😊 All the best!

@boosteddiesel1834 4 ай бұрын

For a diy repair this is a great solution if you just need the tensioner. Although I know why a garage would likely want to fit the full timing kit, because the customer expects a full warranty of the work and parts. Garages don’t want to risk doing it twice just to save other people cash. Great video, I’m sure it’ll save a lot of people a lot of money. 👍

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! 100% correct. Timing chains are an issue on N47 engines; it’s a well-known problem, unfortunately. What I've tried to show in this video is that, in many cases, the chain is still okay. By changing the tensioner, it will give some time for the owner to use the car, but the timing chain needs replacing eventually.

@RandomClips27. 4 ай бұрын

I got a car really really cheap because the garage said it needs a new chain kit and would cost alot to do so the guy sold it me quater the value of the car i done this and sorted the problem 2 years on its still running great

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

That’s what I like to hear😄! All the best.

@thpxs0554 4 ай бұрын

Great video. No bullshit, straight to the point

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thank for watching! Apreciate it!!

@giupisgarage 5 ай бұрын

Depends in which state of wear is the timing chain, sometimes they just reduce the rattle sometimes you won't notice difference

@W15Garage 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Yes, unfortunately if the chain is stretched it needs replacing, as I’ve mentioned in the video. But replacing the tensioner is still worth trying as you’ve got nothing to lose, in my experience it has worked in many cases.

@RigmodsModding 3 ай бұрын

Just changed the tensioner only on a N47 bmw 1 series alongside usual oil and filter etc, completely eliminated the noise (was very noticeable) . Completely agree the tensioner is weak and short, the new one is strong and little bigger. Absolutely recommend doing this before getting the engine out. Some tips would be remove the scuttle, sway bar and the wires and vacuum pipe going across the top of the engine, then you can get a breaker bar in there easily. Was an hours work, well worth it.

@W15Garage 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I m glad it worked for you as well. All the best

@cirese22 2 ай бұрын

How to remuve that do you have a video ?

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

I m glad it worked out for you!

@julesviolin 4 ай бұрын

By all accounts it's the plastic chain guides which break. The last decent engine BMW made was the M47. Good for 500k miles on original chain and guides

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! The M47 indeed was a good engine

@habsom1406 4 ай бұрын

Great video, well explained and well filmed and edited. Thank you! 👍🙏

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Many thanks! 🙏

@cirese22 Ай бұрын

I replaced my upper chain tensioner at a local mechanic , the rattle sound at the cold start has gonne but I still have a chain sound at Revs from 1000 to 2800 rpms....I hope it will last a few thousand kms before I must replace the entire timing chain without snapping 😁

@W15Garage Ай бұрын

@@cirese22 unfortunately in your case it’s the chain, if the rattling is that bad, I would get it replaced as soon as possible. It’s not worth the risk😀

@karmenu 2 ай бұрын

A good practice is removing the plastics where the cabin filter is located. Makes better space, being that it's limited on 1 series / X1. Great video

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

Good point, that way it’s easier to reach the tensioner!

@lind2213 6 күн бұрын

Great video, my f31 320d rattles a bit when idling but when i give it just 100-200 more revs it completely disappears. Could it be the tensioner that is leaking and when oil pressure rises the tensioner can put the right pressure on the chain?

@W15Garage 5 күн бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching. Unfortunately I can’t guarantee 100% But 99% a new tensioner would fix the issue. It’s worth a try.

@straight_to_the_point7869 2 ай бұрын

Thank You for this great video, it's a good and easier idea to try replace it tensioner first, i will try this. I like your videos and channel, its very helpful, i am subscribed.👍👌

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Appreciate your comment!

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

Just fitted a new top tensioner to my 2010 330d (N57) with ~145k miles (FSH, factory intervals which is ~2yrs/15 miles), sadly it didn't fix it, so I'm going to have to replace the chains and guides 🙁. The old tensioner was knackered though (it was 27mm head btw), it didn't spring out much and I couldn't push the piston in just using my finger and thumb (whereas I could with the new one). Perhaps the guides have got damaged as a result? FWIW, my car only makes a modest rhythmic scrapping noise when the engine is hot (fully warmed up), and I could only hear it with the door open revving the engine to ~2k RPM (stationary obviously, lol).

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

If it didn’t spring out, unfortunately it means that the chain is stretched, and the tensioner was fully extended to follow and try to keep the chain tensioned. As I mentioned in the video, unfortunately tensioner is not always the problem. N47 does suffer from timing chain issues. I would recommend replacing the timing chain ASAP before it snaps and causes further expenses in repair.

@Assimilator1 2 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage Did you mean N57? Yes I know and remembered that you said a new tensioner wouldn't always fix it, I didn't say otherwise😉 I've already decided to replace the chains (I've already got timing tool kit), not sure I will go for the OEM chains etc atm (depends on price, hopefully find out tomorrow). I just need to re-watch your video about what parts are needed [edit] Was it you that made that? I can't find it...... I didn't mention it last time, but after trying a new tensioner, and it not fixing the noise, I stopped driving. Driving my (supposed to be a weekend car) 08 M3 atm, which is good fun, but using double the fuel!😬 Btw, what made you decide to do it engine out method? (which I think I'll do it that way) Apologies if I've already asked you that, lol.

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

@@Assimilator1 n57 n47 same issue, unfortunately applies for both variants

@Assimilator1 2 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage Yea roger that, although I hear it's less common with the N57. Btw, did you see my question about which method to get to the chain?

@W15Garage 2 ай бұрын

@@Assimilator1 n57 chains only last a bit longer than n47 because the additional 2.5liters of oil, the engine holds. More oil will withstand better the long ugly oil intervals than the 5.2liter in the n47, but eventually the n57 chains will wear out too. If it’s automatic and 4x4 I always remove the engine. Small n47 with a manual gearbox, it’s ok on the car-easy job. But n57 is a big unit, I would remove it.

@davylad4804 5 ай бұрын

Good tip I wonder how many thousands of pounds have been spent unnecessarily replacing chains when it may have just been a weak tensioner 😵‍💫

@W15Garage 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! It’s worth a try, from experience I can confirm it sorted out a lot of noisy chains

@kirilakmadjov8307 5 ай бұрын

I dont think anyone replacing a chain on the back of the engine is replacing just the chain plus 2.0diesels dont suffer from chain tensioner problems

@piovo5222 5 ай бұрын

@@kirilakmadjov8307all newer cars with chains can have a faulty tensioner, even the Mercedes OM651 and OM642 have issues with the tensioners so do the VAG 3.0d V6s

@davylad4804 4 ай бұрын

I'm puzzled as to what you're trying to say nobody is suggesting not replacing everything whilst accessing the chain for replacement also the 2 litre BMW diesel very very very definitely suffer tensioner problems especially those without regular oil change@@kirilakmadjov8307

@davylad4804 4 ай бұрын

@drgrowuk8830 3 ай бұрын

So helpful and informative video

@W15Garage 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@michaellaforte6964 25 күн бұрын

Super helpful, I think I could even do this!

@W15Garage 24 күн бұрын

@@michaellaforte6964 Thanks for watching!

@pushkarsammi4746 3 күн бұрын

Hey, @W15 Garage i have a bmw 528i 2014 with a n20 engine and i saw your video on changing the tensioner i want to change it as a preventitive maintenence do i need to lock the engine or i can just take the tensioner out and put new one in or i need to buy the camshaft locking tool.

@W15Garage 2 күн бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching. You don’t have to lock the engine, just make sure you’re not rotating the crankshaft while the tensioner is out.

@pushkarsammi4746 2 күн бұрын

thank you so much

@vexx5955 4 ай бұрын

I had the rattle and i decided to change the whole kit OE. Its waaaay to risky and expensive if it snaps !!! 250k KM was enough, the chain guides are plastic. My problem was the tensioner indeed but i didnt risk it by changing only the tensioner

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

Not risky if it doesn't rattle, if the chain stretched at a later point you'd hear the rattle again, then you would do the whole monty.

@W15Garage 3 ай бұрын

@@Assimilator1 Agreed 👍

@mickymac6571 4 ай бұрын

Good video, do you have a failed tensioner to show for comparison?.

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. To demonstrate this properly, it would require oil pressure and the timing chain with the engine in rotation. Faulty one will fluctuate, while the good one is more steady.

@mickymac6571 4 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage thanks for your reply,do the tensioners feel the same out of the engine?.

@kyle546546 4 ай бұрын

Great vid. Do you need to lock anything in place ?

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Valid question! No special tools required, timing doesn’t need to be locked. 70Nm final torque and good to go.

@rebekak5555 4 ай бұрын

Excellent video, keep up the good work!

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks appreciate it!

@tonycoombes2281 Ай бұрын

brilll ,,tank u .u have saved me monys ,,,,,thanks

@W15Garage Ай бұрын

@@tonycoombes2281 glad I could help!!

@darrenshaw6083 5 ай бұрын

great info keep up the good work

@W15Garage 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate it, thanks for watching!

@uttomnandi9064 2 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for the video. where is your garage?

@lukather1 4 ай бұрын

Is it a good idea to take it out first and check if it is working before buying a new one ? I had timing chain 2 years ago but told it’s now rattling again ?

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! It’s not really possible to tell if it’s faulty or not by the look of it, tensioner works/or fails to work under oil pressure. What timing chain kit was used 2 years ago? Original or aftermarket?

@rockybalboap7763 4 ай бұрын

would this work on golf 1.4 tsi engine and mazda 2.2 diesel engine? both renowned for same problem?

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching! It’s worth a try, on my 2006 Mercedes CLS 320CDI V6 diesel it sorted the rattle as well.

@rockybalboap7763 4 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage hmmm makes you wonder how many garages or main dealers that have known this and charged a thousand instead of 70 pounds? Respect for letting people know 5*

@JustShredded 4 ай бұрын

I’ve been told that the components need to be locked in order to do this? How true is this?

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

If you don’t rotate the engine while the tensioner is out, it’s safe. If you think there’s the risk of any kind of rotation, you can lock the flywheel, but I’ve done it on several occasions without locking it.

@JV8391 3 күн бұрын

Do you have a before and after of the sound?

@W15Garage 3 күн бұрын

I don’t, but since this method works so well, and the video is quite popular, I’m planning to record a video where I fix a rattling n47 with a new tensioner, then I will remove the engine and measure the timing chain length

@JV8391 3 күн бұрын

@@W15Garage awesome, i am wanting to try this on my N57 engine in a 2010 BMW X5 30d, the chain noise I have is not a loud rattle it’s more of a rotational noise which happens while the engine is cold then goes away when warm.

@W15Garage 3 күн бұрын

It’s worth giving it a try. If the noise changes with warm or cold temperatures, it’s most likely the tensioner. If the chain is stretched, it will rattle continuously

@JV8391 2 күн бұрын

@@W15Garage Fingers crossed it will help or at least prevent the issue from worsening, I have already ordered a tensioner, they are quite cheap only around $50. On the E70 X5 N57 it's difficult to reach from above so I will try from under the car.

@Mixy88 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips

@W15Garage 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@tony78uk48 4 ай бұрын

Good mechanic 🙂👍

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Appreciate your comment!

@crustybmw 4 ай бұрын

On the n47 is the external tensioner for the cam chain only, the main chain is all internal and the tensioner is inside the cover? I thought it was the main chain that had the issues

@W15Garage 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. The middle chain(main chain) has internal tensioner and it’s thicker than the upper cam chain. Upper one is the weaker one out of the two, and the upper tensioner is also the trouble maker… over time looses oil pressure, causing rattling while the chain is still ok. But as I’ve mentioned in the video, in many cases the timing chain itself is stretched, and needs replaced.

@crustybmw 4 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage Ok so if I buy one and I change the tensioner preventatively and do very regular oil changes will this issue not happen?

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

@@crustybmw No one could guarantee that this issue will never happen, lol. If you fit a new tensioner and it cures the noise then at the least you would have bought some more time with the current chains. If the chains aren't stretched at all when you changed the tensioner, then they'd likely last many 10s of thousands of miles.

@socmonsanto3302 Ай бұрын

What BMW engine is that? Can I do it on the BMW N20 engine?

@W15Garage Ай бұрын

N47 diesel. Yes, it’s worth trying it. My 2006 Mercedes CLS 320CDI had a cold start rattling, a new tensioner sorted the problem.

@jouniranta-puska4699 22 күн бұрын

What, I can't believe I've never even heard of this. Shouldn't this be the absolute first step to try?

@W15Garage 21 күн бұрын

@@jouniranta-puska4699 thanks for watching! It’s definitely worth a try!

@asimk9518 18 күн бұрын

Do you not have to lock the position mine is f31 auto, n47 is it easily accessible if we do from underneath or doing it from top is easier

@W15Garage 17 күн бұрын

You don’t have to, just don’t rotate the engine while the tensioner is out

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

Isn't this relevant to the N57 and e9x series too? How many N47/57 timing chains have you done btw?

@W15Garage 3 ай бұрын

It is relevant yes, my Mercedes CLS OM642 engine had this issue, cold start rattle…new tensioner fixed the issue, till this day it’s spot on. 😄 I’ve lost count, I would say between 25-30. Still a long way to go till 100 😃

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage Ah a fair amount then 🙂, roughly how many would you say of the N47/57 engines you've done which have been fixed by just a new tensioner? Btw, my 2010 330d has an engine rattle (gotta confirm with some former work mates at BMW, might also post you a link to a video I took😉), ~145k miles.

@W15Garage 3 ай бұрын

@@Assimilator1 all depends on maintenance, I’ve had a 2012 f25 x3 2.0d at 178000 miles the original timing chain had the same length as the new one i replaced with not 1mm stretch, BUT it was rattling slightly. On the other hand f20 1 series at 91000 miles, chain was completely stretched. I can t confirm exact data just yet. My mercedes cls 320 om642 engine had a strong rattle in the morning. Timing chain being in the front through the oil filler cap I could see the tensioner. Over night it went soft and retracted causing the rattle. After replacement it’s spot on. This got me thinking about bmw n47 57 chain rattling+a lot of rattling bmw chains measuring the exact same length as the new one i was installing

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage ah ok, I was just wondering roughly what proportion of the N47/57 rattlers you did were fixed with just a tensioner? 🙂

@Assimilator1 3 ай бұрын

@@W15Garage So roughly how many would you say have been fixed by just a tensioner? Interesting thing I've noticed on my car, I only get the rattle (well, more like a zee-zee-zee noise) once it's warmed up. Have you found that before?