BMW V8 M62 WORRYING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE E31 E32 E38 E39

[@tigereye8593]

Truly miss your older 6 series.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I'm coping with the E31 and Z4!

[@bernardpullon4632]

Watched whilst walking the dogs. They didn't mind my inattentiveness as they still managed to disturb and chase two hares. Great stuff as always Timm.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Bernard!

[@TNX255]

Timm, I did this job five years ago on my E38 740i 1999 based on instructions from your website. It went without a hitch :) Your site and videos have been a great help with all the information in them to keep our aging machines alive, many thanks!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That's very kind, glad Meeknet helped you out!

[@kennethwedmorelund]

Hi Tim - just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your videos very much. Two years ago, I needed to quickly change cars because of a new job and I bought an old BMW 520i (2.2l) from 2002 - not because I wanted a BMW but it was just an easy purchase because someone in my family had it up for sale. It was very cheap but also in pretty bad shape, so in autumn of 2024, I got a 2001 535i instead and it's SUCH a great car to drive - it simply makes me happy.

[@owenb1t5014]

You can’t go wrong with an E39, arguably the best generation of 5 series to date! Lovely motors to drive.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That's very kind of you Kenneth, I'm glad you got an E39, they are great cars!

[@aramos811]

Great video Timm. I miss driving my 2000 E38 740il when I saw this video. Someone offered me a good amount of money so I sold it. I still have my 2000 M Roadster which is so much fun to drive.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! I miss my E38 (2000 Individual 740i) it had the power and the room - but, just like you I was offered good money and off it went all the way to New Zealand!

[@rexmanr]

Very useful video! Thanks!

[@Mechautoinsight]

A really good video. You’ve taken the time to clearly show and explain each step. Although I sold my M62 E31 some time ago, after following you on your web page and through the forum, I still enjoy your videos. Many thanks Tim

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Always my pleasure - and about time you found another E31!

[@clayp.e30_v86]

Exactly why when i built thr engine for my e30 i used the m62b44 bottom end with everythig else from the m60b40. Hesds, cams, double row chains, chain sprockets and so on. 10 percent more displacment and bomb proof reliability 😎

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Well done!

[@billymania11]

You're a good chap and it's sort of fun to watch you fuss over a notorious unreliable engine. Even as we speak the engines and the cars they are in, are heading for the scrap heap. At some point in the future, you will be one of the few to own this particular engine and car.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Billy - I'm in it for the long run! The E38's were worth nothing 5 years ago and most ended up as scrap - less E31's did but a lot ended the same way!

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Very helpful, my idler is making noise and has excessive play. I also have a big vacuum leak, tried the washer trick... did not work. The last drive the PCV started to howl..

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Well, at least you found the vacuum leak!

[@tonydykes1551]

Good video tim waiting for your next one

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Tony, good to hear from you!

[@bobfrankish8883]

Another job ticked off Tim, keeps you out of mischief! I'm just on with rebuilding my Brembo front calipers, another nightmare job as it's turned out. All four bleed nipples were seized solid. I've coaxed 3 out, but the last one is not playing at all. It's the usual issue, aluminium versus steel corrosion. Sheering a bleed nipple would be very bad news, and it is easily done with them being hollow. New calipers appear to be around the £1000 mark if you can actually get them. I will persevere with gentle heat cycles and penetrating fluids, fingers crossed!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Good to hear from you Bob! I replaced my Brembo's with new ones around 8 years ago as they couldn't be saved

[@bobfrankish8883]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Hi Tim, good to hear from you too! So much has changed in 8 years hasn't it? Anyhow, managed to get the last nipple out, so, all being well, the new pistons and seals will work OK. They will corrode and seize again unfortunately, but hopefully it's a few years away. Second-hand callipers are out there for around £250, but they are likely to be just as bad as my old ones. Also, there is a misconception that the E38 Brembo's fit but that is not the case, as always the E31's are unique.

[@jasoneyes01]

Nice diagnosis Tim. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to change the timing chains before the rails get beaten. You can break the chains with a Mercedes timing chain tool and replace them pretty easily unconventionally.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Jason, but I'll leave the chains and guides until they give up!

[@raydavison2972]

Another very useful video Tim. A couple of observations/questions if I may. I would have probably have fitted a new belt while I was in there or was it replaced quite recently? Secondly, your first concern was that it may have been the cam chain guides. I've watched a few videos and it looks like you can change the guides without actually removing the chain so long as you lock up the crankshaft and mark the cam sprockets and chain positions . Given that these guides are 30 year old plastic and given the damage caused when (Not if) they fail, have you not considered replacing them as preventative maintenance?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Ray! I'm going to see how long I can get the guides to last using yearly oil changes - I've been banging on about it for years!

[@mikeymagic117]

Nice work.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@bowenflob8036]

Hi Tim, thanks for this. Do you recommend to change the tensioners too? Or just the pulleys?

[@burntnougat5341]

At this age change out everything if it hasn't been done yet. These are almost 30 year old engines

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

After seeing how much more work that needs performing on the E31 I should have changed both thesioners and all three pulleys!

[@simsnqta]

I know a guy who can do your chains. I found him near my work after I travelled 170 miles to your friend Lee Shannon who promised to do the work but forgot what he said in a few days. 😂😂😂

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I am going to see how far I can go on the original guides - I've always said that yearly oil changes will make the guides last a good 300,000 miles!

[@kevinkrawczyk7248]

Hey Tim, I have an E38 with the M62 and i have replaced the guides and the chains and the engine runs smooth and no codes are present but when i accelerate it is really loud for some reason. I have two other E38's and they don't sound like that. I thought it was a exhaust leak but i smoke checked it and lifted the car and listed under it and the exhaust was quiet. Do you have any insight to what might be causing loudness under acceleration with this engine?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Check that the viscous-coupled fan is free-wheeling after 5 minutes of starting the engine, they howl if locked up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHXYeKZ6is6Lh9k

[@kevinkrawczyk7248]

@ it’s not a howl noise I had that on my e38 but this one is different it sounds like exhaust but when it’s revved in place it sounds quiet it’s only noisy and has vibration during acceleration when driving. The transmission was changed on the car and the torque converter was changed but this noise and vibrations were from the beginning when we bought the car