Welp It’s about that time!

[Longbody7]

I recently got this car 2-3 weeks ago and I’ve had a solid 700 miles with it lol

i think the guides need to be done. It sounds like someone dropped a couple marbles in there. My question is,
1. Is there anything you guys would also recommend doing while it’s apart? I know, well *sigh* I’ve been told water pump, thermostat, pcv, valve gasket, power steering hoses have been replaced in the last 2 years and
2. Other than the PO’s word and receipts is there any other way I can verify that by physical inspection of the parts?

[clarkitect]

You could probably tell by visual inspection on most of the parts. Stuff like the PS hoses - do they look clean and are not leaking? Then leave them alone. Water pump if pretty new should look cleaner than the other parts, and if it feels tight, you could probably safely reuse it. Same with the thermostat. You can do the guides without even taking off the intake manifold so leave the PCV in place, especially if the car doesn't smoke on start up now. If the valley pan is not leaking, I would leave the intake and not screw with it.

Stuff like VC gaskets are really one time use, so plan on replacing all of those kind of things. Some folks might say just replace everything, but it gets a little out of control after a while. You have to draw a line at some point, that point may be different for different folks.

For what it's worth I had my car for about 500 miles before the tell tale sound of bad guides reared its ugly head. Honestly I haven't had much luck with these engines yet here I am...

Good luck with the project.

[georgebest]

Some folks might say just replace everything, but it gets a little out of control after a while.

Guilty as charged! I started the guides thinking that spending $800 will be enough, ended close to $3,000 But replaced almost everything what I removed, VANOS solenoids, all chains and tensioners, water pump, thermostat, camshaft sensors and even ignition coils, just to name the most expensive items. Adds up quite fast.
I would probably do the same way again. Engine is flawless and I'm using the car every day.
But $800 should do it normally, this is a great kit from ECS to start with: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1311435026kt3/
It is missing two, cheap items tho. Let me know if you go with the kit and I will try to find the missing ones.

[clarkitect]

Guilty as charged! I started the guides thinking that spending $800 will be enough, ended close to $3,000 But replaced almost everything what I removed, VANOS solenoids, all chains and tensioners, water pump, thermostat, camshaft sensors and even ignition coils, just to name the most expensive items. Adds up quite fast.
I would probably do the same way again. Engine is flawless and I'm using the car every day.
But $800 should do it normally, this is a great kit from ECS to start with: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1311435026kt3/
It is missing two, cheap items tho. Let me know if you go with the kit and I will try to find the missing ones.

Yeah I replaced everything too. I posted the list on my car’s thread. Out of control!

OP appears to have a pre-facelift car so would require a different timing kit. Other than lack of vanos though, I don’t really know the differences in the timing chain department.

Different part numbers here than the post 9/98 kit.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-m62timingkit1

[georgebest]

You are right, sorry. Didnt notice it was pre-VANOS....lucky guy!