at 108,000 on my 02 540i/6 the guides were visually cracked when I was replacing the timing cover gasket, If you factor that job in and save some cash your good. Do the oil seperator and vanos seals and the car is a heavy hitter considering it has more power to weight ratio than a E46 M3 and 1/3 the price. AND its 90% a M5 and way cheaper and probably a better daily driver. The M62tu is not a motor for sissies but it will make you a white wizard. A colder thermostat will not help you for oil temp still reaches normal temps. you just have to be willing to wrench. Parts are life time at FCP There is So much Intel on this car specifically cool dudes like Nathan spelling it out for us. Thank you brotha!
My 540it went exactly as Nathan describes at 87k. For anyone thinking, if only the oil was changed regularly and the tensioner was replaced, this would not happen, I can say with 100% certainty they were not enough to keep my 25 year old M62TU going. Managed to get it back to the garage before the derail. Took it apart, the inside cover looked exactly as Nathan showed. Plastic and metal everywhere. But I took a chance, got the GAS timing tools, and everything else needed. Watched Nathan's videos a bunch of times and went for it. I'm really happy to share that following Nathan's videos and closely following the GAS instructions my 540 is now running better than it has been in a very-very long time. Also a big thanks to George at Vanosman for the rebuild of my vanos units. Its the one part of the job that I did not want to mess with. So my experience is that if the chain has not jumped, the engine/car is well worth the attempt to replace the guides, chains, tensioners, check valves, etc. Thanks alot Nathan. And yes I did have a smile on my face when I had to pull the covers off a second time to get the timining perfect on 5-8, but all good now.
Good info, Nathan. Because I’m a glutton for punishment and I’ve already bought all the tools, I’m actively seeking more m62tu cars to wrench on. I figure if I can find them before they fail and buy right, I won’t take too big a hit. Or I’m in denial about my v8 bmw habit! Always learn something from your videos, thanks!
My father had a 1999 540i sport wagon. The thing got to 270k miles, went through three transmissions, it had a Dinan stage two tune, that thing ripped hard, thing was a total beast, loved that car. We knew the timing chain guides had gone because you could hear things hitting, it wasn’t running happy, and I firmly believe that the valves and pistons were touching, that engine did not last much more than 90 miles after the CEL light initially came on
My 99 540i had the timing chains go out at like 150k. Vanos rebuilt several years ago. It’s a given to have to do these major maintenance jobs. Once you get them done though, they run like a dream
It is definitely worth doing! It’s such a wonderful car and well worth keeping and driving this incredible machine. All cars have there weak points! I would rather drive a beemer and do the repair so your good for another 150k. It’s equivalent to 4car payments or one mortgage payment. Come on it’s too good of a car not too. You can pay $2500 a month for your mortgage payment for 30 years but you second guessing a one time expense on a incredible car. Alternative Option is to join the dead souls of boring cars to live out there life of numb driving to the end of days! Let’s repair them and keep them running strong! Long live the M62TU.
I disagree..... I have had 5 540i's over 300k all original timing components with no abnormal wear on the guides when inspected. And then I wake up....
i have the 2000e39 540i v8 vanos i had this car for around 13 years never had a problem with it at all and is my day a day runner love the car its briliand !!! a car can hold more than a life timeif you know how to care for the car and keep all the servicing on time then it will never brake !!!
My e39 540i was near 300k miles when I bought it. Original owner drove it for 200k miles, regular services. Still original time chain and was running fine.
Thank you for the in depth explanation on these issues!! I might own a 740iL E38 / 540i before i find the right 750iL E38 that i will own for much longer time and now i know what to look out for.
You can do all the love$ care/maintenance in the world but there is NOTHING you can do to stop time.Time = plastic chain guides will get /are aleedy old and break( to replace them is $4000 canadian here in Toronto-more the car is worth) Sad.I am the current owner of a 2001 Bmw 740i)
@@epicon6 I know you can save a ton of money if you do the work yourself IF you have the skills ,the time and all tools($$$$$$$) necessary.And that is a very big IF.
I have a 2002 540i and it has 114K on it and now that you say this I will definitely change it before its too late! I really appreciate your videos especially on the vehicles I have gives me a huge perspective on what to look for before the problem arise.
Have X5 '03 4.4i, had it since 43k miles. At 125k took engine out, resealed it, fixed Vanos and new chain guides, etc. Now at 128k, runs like new! A bit of elbow grease required but not impossible. Fresh oil every 5k, it was super clean inside. These things are not that bad :-) EDIT: 01/082021. Car has been used as a daily since last August for my kids going to college (about 100 miles a day running up I-95). In the interim, the ABS module broke again (a replacement also turned out to be faulty, now on the fourth ABS module), the radiator started to leak badly at d/s tank, tension strut bushings needed replacing again, also the drive shaft boots needed replacing again, I have had to order a new key, the fuel pump broke and the front drive shaft splines let go. I am pretty much working through every possible failure mode these things are known for. On the flip side, engine and trans have been performing great. Now at 137k miles. Just strapped new winter tires on, it performed great in the snow storm last week, and the brakes rotors and pads are due for refresh as well. So yeah, the maintenance is 1000-1500 a year in parts, if you can't DIY this stuff, add another 100% to that number in labor charges.
Question please help...doing timing on 4.4...i manual crank the engine i can see oil pushing up on pass side. Which is lubing up the the cam etc...but the driver side nothing is coming up...thats the side im getting the cam and vanos codes for
M62 is a good motor. It's reputation imo is hampered by the nightmare issues brought forth by the M60, which were later revisited by the N62. So folks generalize it into that pool of failure items. It's not without its shortcomings. I personally prefer an inline 6 like the M52/M50, but if you want V8 power and sound, the M62 is a solid offering.
I've replaced several. Upgrading while your in there and using the German auto solutions timing kit.makes it easier. Nathan you always have good advise. Thanks bro
I did mine on X5 4.6is 4 years ago watching Nathan’s videos, though I am not a mechanic )) then transmission went out 3 month later.And it’s been garaged ever since.
Replaced my tensioner this past weekend. Got it from ECS tuning. The old unit was definitely weaker and not holding it's weight. Didn't have or wasn't getting any slap on the cover. I called Jeff at Monterey Motorworks in Monterey, CA out of curiosity to get his rate...$3500! Yowsers! 2000 540i / 205k
Remove the old tensioner, open it, pull out the spring inside, and replace it with a new slightly longer and stronger spring that you can buy from your local hardware store. It costs exactly 50 cents. Then reinstall the tensioner. I do it yearly, and I have 197 K miles on the original intact timing chain guides (2001 540i E39).
Has BMW or any other manufacturer come up with redesigned guides or new materials that work better for replacement? Such a bad design. Catastrophic failure and hard to service. Glad mine is non vanos.
Replaced mine with a 88C thermostat. Takes alot of stress off cooling system plastics, hoses, timing guide plastics, reduced cooling system pressure not to mention increses longevity of the water cooled alternator. 2002 X5 second owner 4.4 lt. 235,000 klm no start up noises. Change oil twice a year , 10W/40 before season extremes regardless of klm.
@@123hoffie I really believe we are on to the real design issue here. It also explains why the Euro cars (which never had the hot emissions thermo) have fewer issues. If you look closely at the timing guide design, it really isn't different than most others and the materials are the same. Even the mighty Merc M119, argued by many to be the best v8 ever made, has a similar lower guide set- and they can go 500k+. It also probably explains the broken CCV cyclone, expansion tanks, and many other temp related issues. Not to mention the car just runs a lot better with no pinging or knocking.
I bought that $600 540i. Then spent $235 to get a small brake line replaced at the ABS unit. Then spent $840 to get the *WATER-COOLED* alternator replaced. I paid an indy shop to do the work because there was NO WAY I was going to tear into a BMW having no knowledge of them. Now that it's not running and been collecting dust for a while, it's not as intimidating. Not sure what the issue is yet, though it could very well be the timing chain guides. May also be cam position sensors. I think I'm just going to do a complete rebuild myself, apart from any necessary machine shop work. I don't think anyone should be afraid of these cars, but like Clint Eastwood said "A man's got to know his limits." I like to think I have a lot of tools for a reason.
If the guides are good, just replace the hydraulic tensioner as preventative maintenance and do oil change every year/10K miles. If you want to maintain trouble free cooling, prolong plastics and gaskets etc. swap out the 105+ thermostat with one that opens around 90 degrees (celsius). Beisan sells a seal kits to the M62TU vanos. I did mine when I checked the guides and then I timed it after with Chinese timing kit ;)
What I see repeatedly is engines with 5000 mile oil service intervals go much greater distance before these issues surface. The silicon (dust not large enough for air or oil filter capture) and fuel dilution increases with time in engine regardless of how much you spend on special oils. Not just BMW engines either. Longer oil service does in valve stem seals much sooner. The plastic guide liners seem to not go brittle so soon (I’m in TX..hot here) and the guide wear grooves can be almost non-existent at 100 k + mile oil leak or other engine open repairs. I can’t get many owners to get onboard with it, they will keep me busy over time.....
Thanks for this video! I wish it came out before i thought I got a stellar deal on a $600 540i and am now 2k deep in parts LMAO all that work to not have an m5
I have a guy in central Jersey that’s quoted me $2500 to do the timing chain guides on my 97 540i, not sure if I really want to, but I love the car and want to keep it as long as I can, so I might just do that
@@nwabuezeozuzu6370 i did it, and then i sold the car, but there is no way to prevent the guide failure, it's inevitable, on every M62, it will happen eventually
@andrewmattera6205 well I have to prepare for it. At 242k km and I do not know if any of the previous owners have worked on the timing chain guides or tensioner. Motor sounds and drives though 😀
The amount you pay for the car is irrelevant to the cost required to maintain it. I bought my '03 X5 with a bad trans for $2400. I spent $4700 getting the transmission rebuilt, then a few years later, $5000 on a bunch of engine work including the timing chain guides (as preventative maintenance), and the last big expense was $2000 on an ABS module. Compared to the cost of a new X5, which is an even worse pig from a maintenance perspective than my '03, I still got a pretty good deal. That being said, if I had unlimited time, I'd love to swap out the BMW engine and ZF trans for GM running gear, which would give me the same performance, but would certainly be stronger, more robust, and require less maintenance.
Advice needed......have a M62TU in my 2001 e38. I replaced the timing chain guides, bottom and top guides, pulled the cams, checked each lifter.....all were compressed and stuck. Removed and cleaned each one to make lifter pistons work. Replaced the cams, torqued everything to correct ft. lbs. Set the timing, put everything back to together, fresh fluids, and it started right up. No codes thrown, but now it ticks even louder now than when the old guides were in it.
Drop your oil pan and you'll get a clear picture if the guides have failed, the plastic will be waiting for you. Check your oil pump bolts while you're there as they tend to get loose. Adjust oil pump chain if needed.
On my e38 my biggest issue was chain related noise after replacing them on a junkyard replacement engine. Setting the tension on the GAS timing tool I think is where I mess up. I first had it too loose and had the chain slapping around the covers and now I think I have it a little too tight.
I really can't understand how he is talking about this like it ruins the car. The entire kit, minus any special tools, is $510 on FCP Euro... I own an E39 M5 with the S62 which also has this problem but is supposedly not as frequent due to the S62 utilizing a dual row timing chain rather than a single row and the colder 79C thermostat. Our kit is about twice the price but we still don't freak out about it. It's a known issue, pay attention and simply replace it at the very first signs of failure. Assuming you do that you shouldn't have to deal with tons of debris in the engine destroying everything else. I'm not sure how you can compare the issue of chain guide failure to the mountain of issues the E60 M5 has and say the E60 is fixable in comparison...
Exactly, this video is for your regular dork wanting a V8 sedan but not forking up the extra dough for a M5 and just driving until they in fail stop mode. The Key factor is PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE and if you do your homework, order from FCP lifetime and not scared to wrench these cars are very reliable and sexy.
I think about this every time watching Jay Leno's Garage.... 😄 All cars are going break at some point, some sooner than others. Yeah, love is love but know what you're getting into. I love my '01 sporty shorty. 200K before TC&G change and maybe could have made it to 300k by the looks of it. Tensioner and 5 to7K mile (BMW) oil changes. BUT, Nathan is correct minus the fear conjuring. Get it done around 100k especially if don't have confidence in the maintenance history.
What happened to mine is the chain tensioner seized up from charred oil . So the chain starts flapping around the U-guide and chatters the plastic lining there. Tensioner and U-guide had to be replaced, oil pick up and oil pan cleaned out. The most important is, to keep this from happening the tensioner needs to be inspected and cleaned or replaced regularly and oil changes need to be frequent.
I had a beautiful 2001 E39 540i with 162000 miles and it had a slap when idling but not metal yet. Family driver 9/10 body and interior, but could not invest personal time to repair. No shop, special tools, lift and time. $2500 on trade in, still makes me sick it had to go this way. Also, are the cylinders rebuildable? The unknowns and possible pile of junk was the alternative. ick . . . . Thanks for the overview!!
I agree with results and damage if not done. I have exception with some potential buyer telling me to change it out like it's a preventative maintenance item. Let me explain I've had 8 of these old 7 series cars and the last one I sold I had valve covers ty rods, done and it ran perfect with out engine lights on. It has 174K on it and beautiful new headliner and no exterior/interior work needed. In my mind its worth $2,300 and some guy comes buy and asks me if I've changed the timing chain. I said no It's not a preventative maintenance item. I still say it's a used car ?lol
$2000 on e38 guides is cheaper than trying to live with a shitty styled other car.... e38s/39s are worth the extra love because there never has been a better styled sedan yet...
I pulled my oil pan when I bought my 03 540i m sport and I didn't see any plastic at the bottom. So I assume my guides are fine, mine has 140k. I will buy a scope and inspect further
That photo of the timing cover was my cover, almost ate right through to the water pump. Cost me $1000 to fix including all the tools. I used the chinese timing set and havent had an issue but maybe I got a good one?
I've replaced guides on over 20 cars, and I've got both the Chinese and GAS timing sets and they align exactly the same. We've got 3 E38's in the driveway all with the M62TU engine and they're all getting a set of new tensioners, chains and guides for their 20th birthdays and that should keep them happy for another 20 years.
A very few viewers have gotten Chinese timing tools that worked , but 99% of them you will never get to work right , as you can see the play in the mounting holes for the vanos jigs ,which means no way they will get the timing close enough to turn the engine light out for timing over advanced, this is common knowledge so I’m not sure how you are the only person in the world that these worked for , but like I said not impossible to work but extremely unlikely
@@NathansBMWWorkshop maybe I got lucky? And got a good one. I really don't know. Or maybe they changed the design. Best bmw channel. Thanks for the videos.
Chain tension keeps the poorly designed guides from literally falling apart. High rpm causes slack on the main chain, allowing the plastic portions of the guide to lift off the rail slightly and be slammed back against the rail, breaking them.
@@scuderiazane4723 I got it done, it certainly a PITA to this this kind of work...but you will learn a lot about the engine...specially the X5 v8 engine.
I have that m62tu and already had the timing guides replaced. Definitely not a collectors car. I've kept it up but if the guides go out again...fk it I am parting it out.
Mileage and year doesn’t matter. Its easily a 20-26 hour job. The kit costs around $800 & most mechanics charge per hour. I was quoted $3,700 and that was with me already having the timing chain kit
Mine went at 150k on my 01 X5 4.4 and it cost me £2100 to have repaired with bmw parts. That was done by a bmw specialist with a 2 year warranty. That was 5 yrs ago.
The problem is the design, also people are idiots. They hear the slapping noise and they think "ahh, I will wait". Noooo. This is a wear and tear item, yes the design sucks but its worth the car!
Hey Nathan. Great Video! I'm a little bit confused. I was under the impression that BMW had a recall in 2013 which fixed the failing timing guides. Are you saying the recall didn't fix the issue. Or perhaps I'm mistaken and there was never any real fix for that part.
They guys that don’t agree don’t drive their cars, prolly use them as garage decoration. I have done my guides when i bought the car and now 150k kms later, they just failed again, doing it for the 2nd time.
Hi I watch you but if I can ask you can I remove the timing chain cover on 4.4 L BMW N63 with out removing the head or oil pan please let me know it is my first job on this Eng.
Hello Nathan, I have a question for you, would I be able to swap a N62 from 2006 bmw x5 into a 2001 bmw x5 that has M62tu. Without swapping out the ecu. What would I need to interchange to make the engine compatible with my 20001 bmw x5 4.4l
Hello I have a problem with my E53 V8 210kw 2001 year. If I have the engine in phase and then take the blockages from the vanos, the engine misaligns. What can be the reason? Kind regards
Nothing in a BMW V8 from 2013-2019 is worth it. They develop an oil leak under the intake manifold that is almost unserviceable due to location and cost. Stay with the older V8’s or the in-line 6.
This issue is the reason I stay away from any V engine BMWs. I would rather a 528i e39 over a 540i. BMW should’ve used rollers instead of thin plastic guides in a critical part of the engine.
Changing the external chain tensioner fairly often really helps. Luckily my 540 had the job done 10k before I bought it. The receipt in my records was 3400$! Total repair orders for my car in the 10 years before I purchased was 21k. I bought the car for 4K with 125k on it. You can rent the timing tools from several companies. You basically pay full price for the tool, do the job and send it back. Last time I checked was about 100$ after you get your deposit back.
Nathan do you use this unit on the S62 M5 engine as well or the M5 engine? I have just found that the company still makes and sells these and yes I’m buying it straight from who you said.German Auto Solutions
Well said, fix the front and bent valves but all those cuttings are all over the engine and oil ways. It will run for a short time but the problem will be right around the corner.
This was somewhat credible until he said an E60 M5 was more of a fixable/better car! I would rather replace some chain guides than the ROD BEARINGS that are notoriously thin on that M5. Also what about the M5 SMG transmission pump that is anywhere from $3,500-$4,500 just for the part? And those are both things that WILL fail. And I rebuilt my VANOS with a seal kit on my E39 540 for around $60. While I had my 540 torn down I replaced the valley pan, rebuilt the cooling system, new gaskets all the way around and I spent around $400 total. Runs like a champ now!
That's a lot of bad news! I have two vehicles with the BMW M62TU engines and they both rattle once in a while. One vehicle has over 200K miles and the other has half the mileage and they both drive perfect.
Nathan.... we know the M62tu has its issues.... but what is your take on the S62 from the 00-03 BMW M5.... i was surprised you didn't mention that on your "bimmers to buy in 2020" .... do you think this motor inherently has the same issues as M62 since it was derived from it?
I thought the title of the video was to show me how to PREVENT the failure. I guess the gist was to purchase a pre-Vanos engine and then rebuild the guides and drives.
BMW shoulda brought the 735i to the U.S. BMW is the king of the straight sixes. Mercedes always makes a better V8 like the M113. BMW overcomplicates their V8 engines like the M62tu.
Nathan=destroying dreams since 2010!
at 108,000 on my 02 540i/6 the guides were visually cracked when I was replacing the timing cover gasket, If you factor that job in and save some cash your good. Do the oil seperator and vanos seals and the car is a heavy hitter considering it has more power to weight ratio than a E46 M3 and 1/3 the price. AND its 90% a M5 and way cheaper and probably a better daily driver. The M62tu is not a motor for sissies but it will make you a white wizard. A colder thermostat will not help you for oil temp still reaches normal temps. you just have to be willing to wrench. Parts are life time at FCP There is So much Intel on this car specifically cool dudes like Nathan spelling it out for us. Thank you brotha!
My 540it went exactly as Nathan describes at 87k. For anyone thinking, if only the oil was changed regularly and the tensioner was replaced, this would not happen, I can say with 100% certainty they were not enough to keep my 25 year old M62TU going. Managed to get it back to the garage before the derail. Took it apart, the inside cover looked exactly as Nathan showed. Plastic and metal everywhere. But I took a chance, got the GAS timing tools, and everything else needed. Watched Nathan's videos a bunch of times and went for it. I'm really happy to share that following Nathan's videos and closely following the GAS instructions my 540 is now running better than it has been in a very-very long time. Also a big thanks to George at Vanosman for the rebuild of my vanos units. Its the one part of the job that I did not want to mess with. So my experience is that if the chain has not jumped, the engine/car is well worth the attempt to replace the guides, chains, tensioners, check valves, etc. Thanks alot Nathan. And yes I did have a smile on my face when I had to pull the covers off a second time to get the timining perfect on 5-8, but all good now.
What's the contact info for George of Vanosman?. I don't see his info on the web
Good info, Nathan. Because I’m a glutton for punishment and I’ve already bought all the tools, I’m actively seeking more m62tu cars to wrench on. I figure if I can find them before they fail and buy right, I won’t take too big a hit. Or I’m in denial about my v8 bmw habit! Always learn something from your videos, thanks!
You sure are special
My father had a 1999 540i sport wagon. The thing got to 270k miles, went through three transmissions, it had a Dinan stage two tune, that thing ripped hard, thing was a total beast, loved that car. We knew the timing chain guides had gone because you could hear things hitting, it wasn’t running happy, and I firmly believe that the valves and pistons were touching, that engine did not last much more than 90 miles after the CEL light initially came on
My 99 540i had the timing chains go out at like 150k. Vanos rebuilt several years ago. It’s a given to have to do these major maintenance jobs. Once you get them done though, they run like a dream
Perfect videos i bought a 540i with no vanos so happy with the car
Me too! 1997 baybeh.
No vanos No power
Lol its 20nm and a bit wider rpm range for what more headache? Lol
It is definitely worth doing! It’s such a wonderful car and well worth keeping and driving this incredible machine. All cars have there weak points!
I would rather drive a beemer and do the repair so your good for another 150k. It’s equivalent to 4car payments or one mortgage payment.
Come on it’s too good of a car not too. You can pay $2500 a month for your mortgage payment for 30 years but you second guessing a one time expense on a incredible car.
Alternative Option is to join the dead souls of boring cars to live out there life of numb driving to the end of days!
Let’s repair them and keep them running strong! Long live the M62TU.
Did you say something?
I disagree..... I have had 5 540i's over 300k all original timing components with no abnormal wear on the guides when inspected. And then I wake up....
i have the 2000e39 540i v8 vanos i had this car for around 13 years never had a problem with it at all and is my day a day runner love the car its briliand !!! a car can hold more than a life timeif you know how to care for the car and keep all the servicing on time then it will never brake !!!
Haha..
@@jbcrazymods21759
My e39 540i was near 300k miles when I bought it. Original owner drove it for 200k miles, regular services. Still original time chain and was running fine.
Thank you for the in depth explanation on these issues!! I might own a 740iL E38 / 540i before i find the right 750iL E38 that i will own for much longer time and now i know what to look out for.
You can do all the love$ care/maintenance in the world but there is NOTHING you can do to stop time.Time = plastic chain guides will get /are aleedy old and break( to replace them is $4000 canadian here in Toronto-more the car is worth) Sad.I am the current owner of a 2001 Bmw 740i)
@@bogdantora You can save a toooon of money on late 90's BMW's if you do some work on them yourself. many times it's 3-6x cheaper to do it yourself.
@@epicon6 I know you can save a ton of money if you do the work yourself IF you have the skills ,the time and all tools($$$$$$$) necessary.And that is a very big IF.
I’m in the process of doing my chains. I’ve spent around $1,300 so far. Replacing everything I can while the engine is apart.
Your OIL = YES... Your Oil will be the culprit!
MASSIVE job
I have a 2002 540i and it has 114K on it and now that you say this I will definitely change it before its too late! I really appreciate your videos especially on the vehicles I have gives me a huge perspective on what to look for before the problem arise.
I have a 740i M62 with 181,000 miles. Serviced every 3k for the last 50k, thank god no timing chain noise or any guide issues
That's the way to do it!
Have X5 '03 4.4i, had it since 43k miles. At 125k took engine out, resealed it, fixed Vanos and new chain guides, etc. Now at 128k, runs like new! A bit of elbow grease required but not impossible. Fresh oil every 5k, it was super clean inside. These things are not that bad :-)
EDIT: 01/082021. Car has been used as a daily since last August for my kids going to college (about 100 miles a day running up I-95). In the interim, the ABS module broke again (a replacement also turned out to be faulty, now on the fourth ABS module), the radiator started to leak badly at d/s tank, tension strut bushings needed replacing again, also the drive shaft boots needed replacing again, I have had to order a new key, the fuel pump broke and the front drive shaft splines let go. I am pretty much working through every possible failure mode these things are known for. On the flip side, engine and trans have been performing great. Now at 137k miles. Just strapped new winter tires on, it performed great in the snow storm last week, and the brakes rotors and pads are due for refresh as well. So yeah, the maintenance is 1000-1500 a year in parts, if you can't DIY this stuff, add another 100% to that number in labor charges.
Question please help...doing timing on 4.4...i manual crank the engine i can see oil pushing up on pass side. Which is lubing up the the cam etc...but the driver side nothing is coming up...thats the side im getting the cam and vanos codes for
Dutch here also. Groningen. Have X5 at 136k 2002 needs guides : rattling some oat startups
M62 is a good motor. It's reputation imo is hampered by the nightmare issues brought forth by the M60, which were later revisited by the N62. So folks generalize it into that pool of failure items.
It's not without its shortcomings. I personally prefer an inline 6 like the M52/M50, but if you want V8 power and sound, the M62 is a solid offering.
@@patricwell8335 This is normal. They all do this. It's due to the orientation of the oil pump on the chain drive.
I've replaced several. Upgrading while your in there and using the German auto solutions timing kit.makes it easier. Nathan you always have good advise. Thanks bro
I did mine on X5 4.6is 4 years ago watching Nathan’s videos, though I am not a mechanic )) then transmission went out 3 month later.And it’s been garaged ever since.
Gutted!
I have the same 4.6is 2002 Estrol Blue, still love it.
Old cold start I hear a rattle, however when warm or second start, no rattle
@@drtomoyah8805 it’s not the chain, it’s your oil filter housing , renew that and rattle will be gone
@@bimmer_garage thanks, will do.
Replacing the Tensioner also reduced the rattle
@@drtomoyah8805 it will be completly gone
@@bimmer_garage do you have part numbers and great recommendation?
Replaced my tensioner this past weekend. Got it from ECS tuning. The old unit was definitely weaker and not holding it's weight.
Didn't have or wasn't getting any slap on the cover. I called Jeff at Monterey Motorworks in Monterey, CA out of curiosity to get his rate...$3500! Yowsers!
2000 540i / 205k
It's all labor time. Lot of disassembly.
Yes, BMW book is 27 shop hours.
$3500 for a tensioner??
Remove the old tensioner, open it, pull out the spring inside, and replace it with a new slightly longer and stronger spring that you can buy from your local hardware store. It costs exactly 50 cents. Then reinstall the tensioner.
I do it yearly, and I have 197 K miles on the original intact timing chain guides (2001 540i E39).
@@No-vm7go The guides and chains. No Vanos work at that price.
Has BMW or any other manufacturer come up with redesigned guides or new materials that work better for replacement? Such a bad design. Catastrophic failure and hard to service. Glad mine is non vanos.
Thermostat change. 80C will prevent this and many other issues. My e38, 245k original radiator and guides look like new. Changed stat at 50k
Replaced mine with a 88C thermostat. Takes alot of stress off cooling system plastics, hoses, timing guide plastics, reduced cooling system pressure not to mention increses longevity of the water cooled alternator. 2002 X5 second owner 4.4 lt. 235,000 klm no start up noises. Change oil twice a year , 10W/40 before season extremes regardless of klm.
@@123hoffie What does the oem thermostat call for?
@@ramp7t OEM is 105C and is electronically controlled by the ecu to open more under load enabling better flow and cooling.
@@123hoffie I really believe we are on to the real design issue here. It also explains why the Euro cars (which never had the hot emissions thermo) have fewer issues. If you look closely at the timing guide design, it really isn't different than most others and the materials are the same. Even the mighty Merc M119, argued by many to be the best v8 ever made, has a similar lower guide set- and they can go 500k+. It also probably explains the broken CCV cyclone, expansion tanks, and many other temp related issues. Not to mention the car just runs a lot better with no pinging or knocking.
@@stevenance3971 Euro 540i have the same hot thermostat... But the S62 from the m5 runs 89C
I bought that $600 540i. Then spent $235 to get a small brake line replaced at the ABS unit. Then spent $840 to get the *WATER-COOLED* alternator replaced. I paid an indy shop to do the work because there was NO WAY I was going to tear into a BMW having no knowledge of them. Now that it's not running and been collecting dust for a while, it's not as intimidating. Not sure what the issue is yet, though it could very well be the timing chain guides. May also be cam position sensors. I think I'm just going to do a complete rebuild myself, apart from any necessary machine shop work. I don't think anyone should be afraid of these cars, but like Clint Eastwood said "A man's got to know his limits." I like to think I have a lot of tools for a reason.
170k on my non-TU M62, no signs of guide failure yet. VANOS is definitely worse. Planning on doing the guides anyway at around 175k.
If the guides are good, just replace the hydraulic tensioner as preventative maintenance and do oil change every year/10K miles. If you want to maintain trouble free cooling, prolong plastics and gaskets etc. swap out the 105+ thermostat with one that opens around 90 degrees (celsius).
Beisan sells a seal kits to the M62TU vanos. I did mine when I checked the guides and then I timed it after with Chinese timing kit ;)
Your OIL = YES... Your Oil will be the culprit!
Gustav Carlsen Thanks for the info.. whats your mileage?
@@lpwork6809 currently 250K km/ 150K miles
Get rid of all cooling system drama and run waterless coolant! 11 years trouble free motoring here on it.
Like always - very informative and straightforward. Just got 2002 X5 4.4i with 112k miles and gonna look for borescope to have a peak.
Whether it needed it or not, I hope you did it anyway.
What I see repeatedly is engines with 5000 mile oil service intervals go much greater distance before these issues surface. The silicon (dust not large enough for air or oil filter capture) and fuel dilution increases with time in engine regardless of how much you spend on special oils. Not just BMW engines either. Longer oil service does in valve stem seals much sooner. The plastic guide liners seem to not go brittle so soon (I’m in TX..hot here) and the guide wear grooves can be almost non-existent at 100 k + mile oil leak or other engine open repairs. I can’t get many owners to get onboard with it, they will keep me busy over time.....
Thanks for this video! I wish it came out before i thought I got a stellar deal on a $600 540i and am now 2k deep in parts LMAO all that work to not have an m5
m5 is minimum of 10k
If the car is somewhat clean and has most things working, 3k for a sorted m62 powered car isn't that bad
@@burntavocado5033 I agree. Especially with what you'll have when it's done: A real car...not some tin shitbox with the body on backwards.
I have a guy in central Jersey that’s quoted me $2500 to do the timing chain guides on my 97 540i, not sure if I really want to, but I love the car and want to keep it as long as I can, so I might just do that
Have you done it?
@@nwabuezeozuzu6370 i did it, and then i sold the car, but there is no way to prevent the guide failure, it's inevitable, on every M62, it will happen eventually
@andrewmattera6205 well I have to prepare for it. At 242k km and I do not know if any of the previous owners have worked on the timing chain guides or tensioner. Motor sounds and drives though 😀
So the takeaway is don’t waste $1000-$1500 for one procedure on a car that’s probably worth 4-5k. Thanks Nathan!
Its not all about money. Some people just love the car and dont plan on selling it for any amount of funds.
The amount you pay for the car is irrelevant to the cost required to maintain it. I bought my '03 X5 with a bad trans for $2400. I spent $4700 getting the transmission rebuilt, then a few years later, $5000 on a bunch of engine work including the timing chain guides (as preventative maintenance), and the last big expense was $2000 on an ABS module. Compared to the cost of a new X5, which is an even worse pig from a maintenance perspective than my '03, I still got a pretty good deal. That being said, if I had unlimited time, I'd love to swap out the BMW engine and ZF trans for GM running gear, which would give me the same performance, but would certainly be stronger, more robust, and require less maintenance.
Advice needed......have a M62TU in my 2001 e38. I replaced the timing chain guides, bottom and top guides, pulled the cams, checked each lifter.....all were compressed and stuck. Removed and cleaned each one to make lifter pistons work. Replaced the cams, torqued everything to correct ft. lbs. Set the timing, put everything back to together, fresh fluids, and it started right up. No codes thrown, but now it ticks even louder now than when the old guides were in it.
Forgot to mention.....I did soak, clean and used compressed air to blow out the 4 cam oilers before putting them back in.
Drop your oil pan and you'll get a clear picture if the guides have failed, the plastic will be waiting for you. Check your oil pump bolts while you're there as they tend to get loose. Adjust oil pump chain if needed.
Coming up on 140k, this video might be a sign lol
Make sure to use the recommended oil if it's OEM Parts. Your OIL = YES... Your Oil will be the culprit!
Mine’s at 147k I’m selling it. Problem solved
Same I got a 1998 dinan one it’s good non vanos more reliable. Can play with it more.
On my e38 my biggest issue was chain related noise after replacing them on a junkyard replacement engine. Setting the tension on the GAS timing tool I think is where I mess up. I first had it too loose and had the chain slapping around the covers and now I think I have it a little too tight.
I really can't understand how he is talking about this like it ruins the car. The entire kit, minus any special tools, is $510 on FCP Euro... I own an E39 M5 with the S62 which also has this problem but is supposedly not as frequent due to the S62 utilizing a dual row timing chain rather than a single row and the colder 79C thermostat. Our kit is about twice the price but we still don't freak out about it. It's a known issue, pay attention and simply replace it at the very first signs of failure. Assuming you do that you shouldn't have to deal with tons of debris in the engine destroying everything else. I'm not sure how you can compare the issue of chain guide failure to the mountain of issues the E60 M5 has and say the E60 is fixable in comparison...
Exactly, this video is for your regular dork wanting a V8 sedan but not forking up the extra dough for a M5 and just driving until they in fail stop mode. The Key factor is PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE and if you do your homework, order from FCP lifetime and not scared to wrench these cars are very reliable and sexy.
Totally agree with you , E60 M5 is a nightmare compared to E39 540i
Good video 👍 I have two broken m62tu engines in my garage because of bad guides... Thats why i use just M60b40 V8 engines on my projects.
I think about this every time watching Jay Leno's Garage.... 😄
All cars are going break at some point, some sooner than others. Yeah, love is love but know what you're getting into. I love my '01 sporty shorty. 200K before TC&G change and maybe could have made it to 300k by the looks of it. Tensioner and 5 to7K mile (BMW) oil changes. BUT, Nathan is correct minus the fear conjuring. Get it done around 100k especially if don't have confidence in the maintenance history.
Nathan I know you've done a lot of videos on engines why not do a broad perspective on transmissions like dual clutch manual and automatic
What happened to mine is the chain tensioner seized up from charred oil . So the chain starts flapping around the U-guide and chatters the plastic lining there.
Tensioner and U-guide had to be replaced, oil pick up and oil pan cleaned out.
The most important is, to keep this from happening the tensioner needs to be inspected and cleaned or replaced regularly and oil changes need to be frequent.
I bought an e38 lol great move edwin. Ill be driving a time bomb. Well time will say. Im gonna do some inspections when i to the cover Gasket
Use 10w40 and dont rev it to much....i have a 4.4 non vanos ..330.000 km still no problemo....but yeah....later must be replace
@@TheRazvy1990 I agree.
Makes me sad :(. My 540i is at 94k miles. Am saving up to get the guides done once it hits 100k.
Your OIL = YES... Your Oil will be the culprit!
I had a beautiful 2001 E39 540i with 162000 miles and it had a slap when idling but not metal yet. Family driver 9/10 body and interior, but could not invest personal time to repair. No shop, special tools, lift and time. $2500 on trade in, still makes me sick it had to go this way. Also, are the cylinders rebuildable? The unknowns and possible pile of junk was the alternative. ick . . . .
Thanks for the overview!!
I agree with results and damage if not done. I have exception with some potential buyer telling me to change it out like it's a preventative maintenance item. Let me explain I've had 8 of these old 7 series cars and the last one I sold I had valve covers ty rods, done and it ran perfect with out engine lights on. It has 174K on it and beautiful new headliner and no exterior/interior work needed. In my mind its worth $2,300 and some guy comes buy and asks me if I've changed the timing chain. I said no It's not a preventative maintenance item. I still say it's a used car ?lol
$2000 on e38 guides is cheaper than trying to live with a shitty styled other car.... e38s/39s are worth the extra love because there never has been a better styled sedan yet...
I pulled my oil pan when I bought my 03 540i m sport and I didn't see any plastic at the bottom. So I assume my guides are fine, mine has 140k. I will buy a scope and inspect further
That photo of the timing cover was my cover, almost ate right through to the water pump. Cost me $1000 to fix including all the tools. I used the chinese timing set and havent had an issue but maybe I got a good one?
I've replaced guides on over 20 cars, and I've got both the Chinese and GAS timing sets and they align exactly the same. We've got 3 E38's in the driveway all with the M62TU engine and they're all getting a set of new tensioners, chains and guides for their 20th birthdays and that should keep them happy for another 20 years.
@@jakedekleuver I can attest to using the Chinese timing tool. I have done 3 m62 and no problem
A very few viewers have gotten Chinese timing tools that worked , but 99% of them you will never get to work right , as you can see the play in the mounting holes for the vanos jigs ,which means no way they will get the timing close enough to turn the engine light out for timing over advanced, this is common knowledge so I’m not sure how you are the only person in the world that these worked for , but like I said not impossible to work but extremely unlikely
Look at my channel and videos and all the cars I have had , yea I’m full of it lol
@@NathansBMWWorkshop maybe I got lucky? And got a good one. I really don't know. Or maybe they changed the design. Best bmw channel. Thanks for the videos.
i wonder if you can drain the motor oil then put a borescope up into the oil pan and look around for plastic bits
They all have that problem! If you wanna drive a nice e38 be ready for some work...or you have a lot of money then go to the workshop!
Chain tension keeps the poorly designed guides from literally falling apart. High rpm causes slack on the main chain, allowing the plastic portions of the guide to lift off the rail slightly and be slammed back against the rail, breaking them.
Always good vids .
❤️
I am doing mine for about 2 weeks, it is certainly a lot of work.
Did you get the job done??
@@scuderiazane4723 I got it done, it certainly a PITA to this this kind of work...but you will learn a lot about the engine...specially the X5 v8 engine.
You cannot fix a fundamentally bad design
Your OIL = YES... Your Oil will be the culprit!
vanos 🤦🏽♂️😱🤯
Thats a whole other ball game
I have that m62tu and already had the timing guides replaced. Definitely not a collectors car. I've kept it up but if the guides go out again...fk it I am parting it out.
Dude, how much would changing all the timing change guides on a 2003 540i msport with 132k miles cost.
Mileage and year doesn’t matter. Its easily a 20-26 hour job. The kit costs around $800 & most mechanics charge per hour. I was quoted $3,700 and that was with me already having the timing chain kit
Love your videos man!
Mine went at 150k on my 01 X5 4.4 and it cost me £2100 to have repaired with bmw parts. That was done by a bmw specialist with a 2 year warranty. That was 5 yrs ago.
Where did you have it done fella?
It have the E53 X5 4.6is
Nathan’s M62tu to Chevy LS swap kit currently under development for all BMWs and Land Rovers! Fix those timing chain guides once and for all!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
USE LOCKTITE ON THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE CHAIN GUIDES! Mainly the big U-shaped guide.
The problem is the design, also people are idiots. They hear the slapping noise and they think "ahh, I will wait". Noooo. This is a wear and tear item, yes the design sucks but its worth the car!
If the timing chain guides break is it necessary to always take heads of and look for bent valves in the m62tu
You’ll definitely be able to see them once you open the engine up anyway
Hi Nathen would you know where the flywheel locking hole would be in a 2004 Range River M62 Automatic?
Thanks
Is this the same issue for a 2001 740i ?
Thanks bro awesome video
Hey Nathan. Great Video! I'm a little bit confused. I was under the impression that BMW had a recall in 2013 which fixed the failing timing guides. Are you saying the recall didn't fix the issue. Or perhaps I'm mistaken and there was never any real fix for that part.
Are the replacement guids any better than the original ones?
can i get by with cheap timing tools on N62B44?
Hey man what are your thoughts on the CTA brand timing tool set? I only ask because ecs has them on sale for a ridiculously low price at the moment ?
Hello I have a question. Can I change the timing chain on a 750li xdrive 4.4 N63 without taking the engine out.
They guys that don’t agree don’t drive their cars, prolly use them as garage decoration. I have done my guides when i bought the car and now 150k kms later, they just failed again, doing it for the 2nd time.
Hi I watch you but if I can ask you can I remove the timing chain cover on 4.4 L BMW N63 with out removing the head or oil pan please let me know it is my first job on this Eng.
Hello Nathan,
I have a question for you, would I be able to swap a N62 from 2006 bmw x5 into a 2001 bmw x5 that has M62tu. Without swapping out the ecu. What would I need to interchange to make the engine compatible with my 20001 bmw x5 4.4l
Hello I have a problem with my E53 V8 210kw 2001 year. If I have the engine in phase and then take the blockages from the vanos, the engine misaligns. What can be the reason? Kind regards
I noticed my oil had a redish tint,,,, could this be a precursor?????
Where is your workshop?
Replace the whole timing chain kit before it fails
Are any of the BMW V8's any good?
Nothing in a BMW V8 from 2013-2019 is worth it. They develop an oil leak under the intake manifold that is almost unserviceable due to location and cost. Stay with the older V8’s or the in-line 6.
Alan Sawyer Thanks
I researched the rod bearing issues on the V8s. Sounds like it affects the first ones, up to 2013
Yes. S62, S63, and S65.
No.
This issue is the reason I stay away from any V engine BMWs. I would rather a 528i e39 over a 540i. BMW should’ve used rollers instead of thin plastic guides in a critical part of the engine.
Changing the external chain tensioner fairly often really helps. Luckily my 540 had the job done 10k before I bought it. The receipt in my records was 3400$! Total repair orders for my car in the 10 years before I purchased was 21k. I bought the car for 4K with 125k on it. You can rent the timing tools from several companies. You basically pay full price for the tool, do the job and send it back. Last time I checked was about 100$ after you get your deposit back.
just out of curiosity - can you change the external tensioners easy by just removing one and screwing a new one in? Like on the M62 or M54?
@@_J.P._ Yeah it’s super easy. Like a 30 minute install.
Nathan do you use this unit on the S62 M5 engine as well or the M5 engine? I have just found that the company still makes and sells these and yes I’m buying it straight from who you said.German Auto Solutions
Appreciate you!!
Nathan do these same issues happen on a M62 no Vanos?
What timing tool kit do yall use...website please or name
Well said, fix the front and bent valves but all those cuttings are all over the engine and oil ways. It will run for a short time but the problem will be right around the corner.
what exactly am i looking for with the borescope?
This was somewhat credible until he said an E60 M5 was more of a fixable/better car! I would rather replace some chain guides than the ROD BEARINGS that are notoriously thin on that M5. Also what about the M5 SMG transmission pump that is anywhere from $3,500-$4,500 just for the part? And those are both things that WILL fail. And I rebuilt my VANOS with a seal kit on my E39 540 for around $60. While I had my 540 torn down I replaced the valley pan, rebuilt the cooling system, new gaskets all the way around and I spent around $400 total. Runs like a champ now!
So I have a 97 540i non-vanos 4.4L are you better off staying away from the vanos 4.4s
So you mean that the M62B44 is much more reliable than the M62TUB44?
I’m amazed! Do other companies have these kind of issues? ie: rod bearings and god only know what else.
No. Only BMW is having these problems. I think BMW stand for Big Money Waste.
Chrysler had the same problems with the 2.7 V6.
Perhaps with some new technology the timing guides components can be improved
That's a lot of bad news! I have two vehicles with the BMW M62TU engines and they both rattle once in a while. One vehicle has over 200K miles and the other has half the mileage and they both drive perfect.
Replace the spring inside the timing chain tensioner, and the engine is good for another 100 K miles on the original guides.
lol reliability has zero to do with being a collector car.....one just sold on BaT for $24,000 last week.
Do the non Vanos M62 last longer as long as it’s maintained?
Hi Nathan, What’s an estimate for parts to replace timing guides on a pre-Vanos M62 ?
Prob $250
Nathan.... we know the M62tu has its issues.... but what is your take on the S62 from the 00-03 BMW M5.... i was surprised you didn't mention that on your "bimmers to buy in 2020" .... do you think this motor inherently has the same issues as M62 since it was derived from it?
I thought the title of the video was to show me how to PREVENT the failure. I guess the gist was to purchase a pre-Vanos engine and then rebuild the guides and drives.
BMW shoulda brought the 735i to the U.S. BMW is the king of the straight sixes. Mercedes always makes a better V8 like the M113. BMW overcomplicates their V8 engines like the M62tu.
Nathan can you tell me what codes it would be throwing at the beginning of this problem. Thank you
p0008 p0021 , p1519 ....p1519 would probably show up first.....but every situations different so....
Tell us about the car that got so pissed off at E39 V8’s.
How much does a shop charge for the guide change
Great info
Wow - that must be some kind of record for the number of advert breaks squeezed into less than 10mins of video !