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Thread: Timing Chain Tensioner Spring Replacement for i6

  1. #26
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Nashville
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    67
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    2000 540 6, Anthracite
    There's another link that uses a 19MM?

  2. #27
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    Oct 2012
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    san diego,ca
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    2000 528 wagon
    thanks

  3. #28
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    Oct 2012
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    MD
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    2003 BMW 530i
    Just did this. Noticeable indeed.

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Silicon Valley
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    2003 ZHP 6MT, 1997 M345
    Just did this to my E46 (M54B30 motor, similar to E39 530i). Thank you for the DIY and photos. Too early to say if it helps. My new spring was 1.5mm or 2mm longer than the old spring. I used a deep 32mm impact socket that was full diameter all the way (as opposed to getting narrower at the ratchet connection end) and it made it very difficult because it was hitting one of the A/C lines. Would have been much easier if I'd had a normal 32mm socket or a deep one that necked down at the ratchet end. Also in the end I moved the washer fluid tank out of the way to get more working space because my non-flex ratchet handle kept hitting the washer reservoir. Not sure if A/C lines or washer tank would get in the way on the E39.

    I did also see other DIYs or links specifying different socket sizes such as 17mm, 19mm, or 27mm, but it appears those are for other BMW motors, not the M54.
    Last edited by LivesNearCostco; 07-23-2013 at 12:33 PM.

  5. #30
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    Jun 2012
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    Missoula, MT, US
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    2000 528i / 1995 525i
    Do you have to have the oil emptied from the engine to perform this repair? Would love to do this, but I just changed my oil yesterday and don't want to drain it for a while. Thanks!

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    Perry, GA
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    E36 M3, X5 4.6is, E85 Z4
    No.

    1998 ///M3/4/5 | 1999 528iT | 2003 Z4 3.0i

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
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    Missoula, MT, US
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    2000 528i / 1995 525i
    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA View Post
    No.
    Fantastic! Thanks for the fast reply

  8. #33
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    Jan 2006
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    Perry, GA
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    E36 M3, X5 4.6is, E85 Z4
    No problemo

    1998 ///M3/4/5 | 1999 528iT | 2003 Z4 3.0i

  9. #34
    Join Date
    May 2013
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    Oxnard, CA
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    2003 525i M54 Auto
    Seems easy enough. Good post, thanks!

  10. #35
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    Jan 2010
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    Dayton, OHIO
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    you see it
    Quote Originally Posted by crdiscoverer View Post
    Yes it has failed, however, these I6s are not interference engines and when the tensioner fails normally it just snaps and you have to tow the car. Not "my engine is destroyed" as in M62s.

    So what part actually fails when they do fail? Is it the outer aluminum part or the spring? I'm only asking b/c there's really no point in replacing only the spring and washer if that's not the part that fails first. I'm only asking the question, I am not sure how these fail when they do.
    Last edited by bimmerlova; 09-16-2013 at 10:58 AM.


    2001 BMW 530i Sport v6 Automatic, 77k miles, Royal Red Metallic

  11. #36
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
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    Seal Beach, Ca.
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    2003 540s, 2000 740s
    The tensioner keeps tension on the chain guide. As the tension in the tensioner gets softer, less tension on the chain guide means the chain is no slapping against the chaing guide a little more. This can lead to the material that the chain rides against wearing & chipping. Once chipping of the chain guide material starts, it can cause worse chipping & then the chain is really slapping against the aluminum of the rail. Enough of that & the chain can break. On the I6 (from what I've read above) that won't necesarily cause catostraphic engine failure like the V8 (an interference engine = bent valves), but that broken chain can chew up engine covers & such.

    So, as the spring in the tensioner gets less "springy", bad things can happen. Especially considering the cost of replacing the spring.
    <== Steptronic Sealbeach740
    2000 740i sport: 74k Green/Tan chrome MPars, clear corners, quad brake lights, AIC hi-beams, Hoen fogs, 16x9 screen, MKIV, TFT LCD screen in back, license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, iPod audio/video (CDC/iPod audio switching, iPod video on 16x9 screen), Basslink, gauge rings, ///M pedals, switched steptronic +/- shifting mode, E46 paddle shifter steering wheel, Dinan engine & tranny software upgrade, DDEs controlled via Euro fog light switch, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, windows up/sunroof close via remote.

    2003 540i sport: 81k, Sterling grey/grey, MKIV Nav, PDC & CWP - Added license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, paddle shift steering wheel, windows up/sunroof close via remote, Akebono's, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, quad brake lights, iPod audio via AUX mode/video via 16x9 screen, BMW TV tuner, ///M pedals & gauge rings.

  12. #37
    Join Date
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    2000 ant met 540 sport
    So this is definitely suggested maintenance for the m62's? Where about on the 4.4 is the spring and housing located?
    my signature? hmm...

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    The Netherlands
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    2001 320i touring
    But now for something a bit different as to what you guys are used to, I have an e39 with the m51 engine... I guess they have a similar setup as the m50/m52/m54?
    The car has covered just short of 250.000 miles with the same engine, so I guess the spring isn't doing too much anymore.
    '99 e39 530dA T - current
    '01 e46 320i 2.2 T - sold | '98 e39 525tds T - R.I.P. | '94 e34 525iA T - sold | '96 e36 323i coupe - sold | '87 e32 735i (manual/m30) - sold | '88 e34 524td - sold

  14. #39
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Justin Texas
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    2003 525it 2003 X5 4.6is
    I replaced my spring about 10K ago. Seemed to have better and quieter and less
    start up rattle. Just last week I bought another new spring and a new piston.
    Interestingly enough, the spring with less than a year service was noticeably shorter.
    The new piston was installed along with the new piston.
    Removal of the old piston showed some scoring and wear. I did not replace the cylinder.

    I had the car out today and was amazed on how smooth the engine was.
    Great power and absolute rock steady idle. I had to look down at the tach to see
    if the engine was running. I can't absolutely attribute the new spring and piston to the
    engine feel, but it sure is running great (today
    I will always own a BMW.

  15. #40
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    Apr 2006
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    Dallas, Tx
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    95 M5, Euro S50 E30
    Thanks for posting this info about the tensioner spring.

    Based on this thread I did the spring replacement on a 528 with 139k miles with great results. Spring was about 4 to 5mm short to the new one. Rock steady idle and no noise at start up

    Thx again

  16. #41
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
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    28
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    2001 540i 6-Speed
    Just did my tensioner tonight. The old one was about an inch shorter than the new one and it was seized up and providing no tension. The new one works great and fixed my startup noise. Thanks everyone.

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Antioch, IL
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    5
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    98 M3
    How does this tensioner come apart to replace the spring??

  18. #43
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    Jan 2006
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    Perry, GA
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    E36 M3, X5 4.6is, E85 Z4
    I don't think the spring is available as a separate part - it's included as part of a new tensioner. But to answer your question, it just pulls apart. No tools or special techniques are needed.

    1998 ///M3/4/5 | 1999 528iT | 2003 Z4 3.0i

  19. #44
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Milford, NJ
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    1998 BMW 528i Sedan
    I was able to buy just the spring from the dealership. Like $8 or something.

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Honolulu,HI.
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    540i,528i both 1999
    This sounds amazing because I was quoted $5000 to do the "FIX".

  21. #46
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Germany
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    2
    My Cars
    E46 330CI SKII

    Thumbs up

    Just did this DIY on my M54B30

    For the record, this is what my old spring (left) compared to the new (right) looked like:

    Note that the ruler is in centimeter, not inch!

    I pretty much followed OPs instruction but also removed the fan housing (just one torx and a clip) and disconnected the outtake magnet valve of the dual Vanos (just unclip the connector to protect it from - possible - damage) to get some additional space.
    Furthermore i used a breaker bar instead of a wobble to loosen the tensioner.
    From here on unscrew the tensioner by hand (use some paper towels to protect your AC compressor from the oil leaking out of the chain housing, which shouldn't be to much but still)
    Once removed, disassemble and clean the tensioner parts, replace the spring, replace the aluminum gasket (IMPORTANT: make sure to remove the old gasket if it sticks to the chain housing, like mine did!)
    I also added some engine oil (Motul) in the screwing/upper part of the tensioner prior to assembling it, just enough so it doesn't sip out of the side holes.
    This way you won't start with a completely empty tensioner on first engine start.
    Then install everything in reverse.
    As the new spring is considerably longer you will need too use some force to get the tensioner back in, so push and screw at the same time till the thread bites.
    Fasten the tensioner with 70NM (per OP, dunno if its right but the markings i put on the tensioner and chain housing prior to removing it pretty much aligned that way)
    Clean up any possible oil, reconnect the magnet valve, reinstall the electric fan and check you oil level (depending on how much you lost during removal, better safe than sorry)

    TL;DR: Took roughly 20 mins will taking it slow, and only cost me 4€ for the spring and gasket (from BMW)

  22. #47
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    KY
    Posts
    101
    My Cars
    E39
    Has anyone had trouble with getting the correct size gasket ring? Pn 07119963418. I picked it up from my dealer since it was a buck and in stock. It was smaller than the one I pulled off my tensioner, as in the photo. The parts guy assured me that I had the correct part. He rattled off some measurements that his book told him for that pn, but did not verify it against the actual part. What good was that! I can't remember the size he gave, but I want to say 28 and 32mm. ID and OD. I got home and mic'd it at 24 and 22. So now I have to drive back in with my greasy tensioner and show him, all for him to tell me he doesn't know.

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    E46 330CI SKII
    The gasket should be A26X31-AL (inner x outer diameter in millimeter and made of aluminium) per catalog. Just measure it. The part number is right.

  24. #49
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    160
    My Cars
    1998 528i bmw
    This was for an m52 engine correct? The tensioner is tightened to 25nm as well right?

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