M62 Non Vanos Timing chain and rails replacement

[Sheil4n]

While surfing the net and looking around for another E39 I came across a 540i Non Vanos with some troubles, The timing chain and guides needed to be replaced. According to the add the car still starts and runs. Is this a do able job for a 1st year mechanic? Time isn't a matter. I calculated that i need around 400 euros only for the the timing chain and guides. I've calculated another 300 for service. Should I do this (I'll maybe even trade in my okay 520i)? Or keep the hell away from that thing.

[edjack]

Probably not for a 1st year.

How many kms on the car? The early V8 does not seem to suffer guide failures as often as later ones. How did the seller determine that the guides and chain are bad?

BTW, the chain virtually never wears out.

[Sheil4n]

Probably not for a 1st year.

How many kms on the car? The early V8 does not seem to suffer guide failures as often as later ones. How did the seller determine that the guides and chain are bad?

BTW, the chain virtually never wears out.

it has 298.250 KMs. This is what's in the ad: timing chain and guides should be replaced. at the moment you hear rattling from the chain when you start it. And still does start. there are also no metal particles in the oil pan or on the oil filter. (rough translation of the ad). Regarding fixing it I'll be doing it with a friend who is a fulltime mechanic he'll supervise me hahaha. Or could it only be the tensioner that is broken?

[Cora540]

it has 298.250 KMs. This is what's in the ad: timing chain and guides should be replaced. at the moment you hear rattling from the chain when you start it. And still does start. there are also no metal particles in the oil pan or on the oil filter. (rough translation of the ad). Regarding fixing it I'll be doing it with a friend who is a fulltime mechanic he'll supervise me hahaha. Or could it only be the tensioner that is broken?

the job is not that hard, its just time consuming and you have to be attentive to detail when putting things back together, a few bolts can be a pain in the ass...(jesus bolt), I myself had never done anything more than fluid changes before i bought my e39 which was in june of 2014. Since then I started reading DIY's and just dove in, I've replaced my power steering pump, all belts, pullies, and tensioners, all rotors and pads, helped with timing guides, and a ton of other projects. Don't be afraid of these cars, there is a PLETHORA of information on the e39, that's part of what's great about owning one is that the community is extremely knowledgeable and willing to give advice, at least here on bimmer. You just have to commit and start wrenching. I've saved thousands by being able to fix things myself even with trial and error included...you should be fine, especially with a experienced mechanic watching you.

[Sheil4n]

the job is not that hard, its just time consuming and you have to be attentive to detail when putting things back together, a few bolts can be a pain in the ass...(jesus bolt), I myself had never done anything more than fluid changes before i bought my e39 which was in june of 2014. Since then I started reading DIY's and just dove in, I've replaced my power steering pump, all belts, pullies, and tensioners, all rotors and pads, helped with timing guides, and a ton of other projects. Don't be afraid of these cars, there is a PLETHORA of information on the e39, that's part of what's great about owning one is that the community is extremely knowledgeable and willing to give advice, at least here on bimmer. You just have to commit and start wrenching. I've saved thousands by being able to fix things myself even with trial and error included...you should be fine, especially with a experienced mechanic watching you.

Those are some encouraging words of wisdom! I'm already experiencing more with my 520i than i've learned at school. I'm probably going to look for this one because it would be a fun project with a nice car at the end of it. Same as what happened with my current E39.