BMW 316ti Compact 2004 - timing chain replacement?

jprboy

Am having a problem with a BMW 316ti Compact 2004 and it appears to be getting worse. The car has 123,000 miles on the clock.

The independent mechanic who services it reckons that the timing chain is the source of a rattle that comes from the engine area when the car is idling or moving at low revs. Sounds a bit like a tractor/noisy diesel.

In the last few days it has started to cut out when slowing down in traffic or when coming to a junction. It's possible to keep it running by keeping the revs up while slowing but this is obviously far from ideal. There are no problems restarting it when it does cut out.

Does it look like the timing chain is the problem and how much do you reckon it would cost to replace, incl labour?

Is it possible that the full chain may not need to be replaced and that it may be something like a tensioner that's causing the problem?

Should I contact BMW or get a second opinion?

Thanks in advance.

500sel

They do give trouble alright we have 2 in work at the moment (1 chain has broken the other has jumped)
Not a cheap job and requires the correct tools to set it back up.
Depending on what needs to be replaced you are probably looking between €600-€900 all in.

Nissan doctor

Which size of engine has your car got?

The valvetronic system in those engines can be troublesome as can the tensioners.

BMW have an updated tensioner which is supplied now.

I've had to rebuild 2 valvetronic heads over the last couple of months(both boards members coincidently), one due to a failed valvetronic actuator and one due to a failed tensioner.

As said, you need two sets of specific tools, one to disassemble/re-assemble the valvetronic assembly and one to set the timing.

500sel

You will also need to reset the end stops on the valvertonic unit.
OP, Where are you based?

swhyte027

I've also done Afew of these in our place but 90percent of the time the tensioner is what's at fault.but I don't think anybody hear could give u a def answer as we havent seen r checked the car over

jprboy

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Which size of engine has your car got?

It's a 1.8 petrol.

500sel wrote: »

You will also need to reset the end stops on the valvertonic unit.
OP, Where are you based?

I'm in North Tipp but am also in Kilkenny during the week. I notice from your first reply that you have "2 in work at the moment" Where are you based?

Drove it for approx 110 miles today and same again - coming to junctions or slowing down the revs drop and it cuts out, unless I can work to pedals to avoid it.

I'm dropping it in to my own mechanic tomorrow so will see what his verdict is and will report back.

Thanks again, folks.

jprboy

swhyte027 wrote: »

I've also done Afew of these in our place but 90percent of the time the tensioner is what's at fault.but I don't think anybody hear could give u a def answer as we havent seen r checked the car over

Where are you based, swhtyte?

500sel

Based In Kilkenny;)
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