Rattle and click: chain tensioners?
 

I'm just getting friendly with my new 1996 328is, and have noticed two noises that I suspect (based on what I've read) have something to do with the timing chain tensioners. I hear a ticking noise at idle (haven't noticed it with a cold engine), and there's a rattling noise when accelerating at about 1500-2000rpm (haven't noticed it with a warm engine).

It looks like the lower (primary, crank-to-exhaust cam) chain tensioner is a piece of cake: unscrew old, screw in new, and take the rest of the day off. It seems like the camshafts don't even need to be locked in place to do this.

The upper (secondary, cam-to-cam) chain tensioner looks like a more involved deal, because the tensioner appears to be a single part that the chain rides on. It looks like removing it will free up the chain enough that the camshafts need to be locked. Uh-oh, tool alert.

So tell me, if you would be so kind, what the story is here. What's needed to do the job, how many other parts need to be removed to do it, and more importantly, will it get rid of the ticking and rattling so that they don't come back for a long time?

Thanks,
Mark
1996 328is, 80kmi
1987 325, sold at 87kmi
2001 330i, not mine but "close enough"

can't offer you much help except I found the Cam Lock tool at zdmak.com for $99.

We sell all of these tools here at Pelican.

The tensioner replacement is a simple swap out. I have a new and updated one on my desk at work - I have a planned tech article that I'm working on this week. I have pics, but no words just yet...

-Wayne

On the ticking noise, try running with lighter weight or heavier weight (use the opposite of what you're running right now) and see if that helps - it's probably the hydraulic lifters...

-Wayne

I should have known you had the tools here... stupid google search.

Wayne, I'd love to see your tech article or even just the pictures. I was planning on changing the oil last weekend but got tied up with other things, and this weekend looks like it may be no different.

Coming soon - just put the new tensioner in the trunk of my car to take home and snap some pics...

Coming very soon...

-Wayne

I have the same Vanos rattle in my 95 M3 (75k). No noise at idle but the "marbles in a can" at about 1500-2000 rpm. Does anyone know if the lower tensioner will fix this?