[fe7565]

Originally Posted by driven72

So I finally got some time to start going through some stuff. I did open up the oil cap and didn't find anything wrong with the timing chain guide...at least not in the view I could see. I am not sure what it looks like without a borescope but I am thinking the diagnostic the other folks did at Mechanic One must be good and the timing chain is not stretched. (for now)

However, regarding your timing chain tensioner, I am not sure how this would go on. You say it only took 45 min but I can't find any youtube videos showing how to do this.

I did look up the forum and found people discussing this replacement and the costs but again, no pictures or videos on how this is done. Additionally, the chain needs to be held in place before un torquing so the chain does not skip a tooth? Some redditors are discussing the same issue and talking about a chain tensioner measuring tool to ensure the installation is good? Yikes!! sounds scary.

I wonder how much it would cost someone to do this job after I buy the part.

The tensioner replacement itself is about five minutes. Getting to it is about 40 minutes. Have to loosen up the wastegate solenoid bracket a little bit so you can move it out of the way just enough to get to the chain tensioner. Do not disconnect or adjust the linkage.

I’m usually quite anal about following instructions to the teeth. I didn’t see anything of concern here, including the ones you identified.

I’m not home right now, so I don’t have access to the notes I have taken from BMWTiS. I should be able to look it up in a couple of days when I’m home. But I think I have posted about the replacement in this forum, as far as the steps I have taken.

I don’t see how the chain can skip a tooth. There should be enough tension and gravity in the chain with the tensioner removed. I also don’t see a purpose for the measuring tool if you are replacing the tensioner. The measuring tool would be handy to know if you need to replace the tensioner or not, or if the chain has been elongated already.

The new tensioner has been redesigned and it will put more pressure on the chain than before. It’s automatic: it operates by oil pressure so there’s nothing to adjust or measure.

However, if you are uncomfortable or not inclined to do such mechanical work, by all means have someone do it for you.

If I would compare this tensioner replacement to replacing the timing chain, I would rate the tensioner replacement as a 2 and timing chain a 9. The replacement of the tensioner in my opinion is below the difficulty of replacing your spark plugs.

EDIT: here is my post to my tensioner replacement

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30300245

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30333952

[driven72]

Originally Posted by fe7565

The tensioner replacement itself is about five minutes. Getting to it is about 40 minutes. Have to loosen up the wastegate solenoid bracket a little bit so you can move it out of the way just enough to get to the chain tensioner. Do not disconnect or adjust the linkage.

I’m usually quite anal about following instructions to the teeth. I didn’t see anything of concern here, including the ones you identified.

I’m not home right now, so I don’t have access to the notes I have taken from BMWTiS. I should be able to look it up in a couple of days when I’m home. But I think I have posted about the replacement in this forum, as far as the steps I have taken.

I don’t see how the chain can skip a tooth. There should be enough tension and gravity in the chain with the tensioner removed. I also don’t see a purpose for the measuring tool if you are replacing the tensioner. The measuring tool would be handy to know if you need to replace the tensioner or not, or if the chain has been elongated already.

The new tensioner has been redesigned and it will put more pressure on the chain than before. It’s automatic: it operates by oil pressure so there’s nothing to adjust or measure.

However, if you are uncomfortable or not inclined to do such mechanical work, by all means have someone do it for you.

If I would compare this tensioner replacement to replacing the timing chain, I would rate the tensioner replacement as a 2 and timing chain a 9. The replacement of the tensioner in my opinion is below the difficulty of replacing your spark plugs.

EDIT: here is my post to my tensioner replacement

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30300245

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30333952

Thanks so much! I will check the posts out and get back to you. I have read through several posts and people are talking about clamping the chain in place before unscrewing the tensioner.

[fe7565]

Could secure the chain through the oil fill opening.