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Thread: Is this the dreaded sound of timing guides gone bad?

  1. #1
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    Is this the dreaded sound of timing guides gone bad?

    https://youtu.be/7M72neVNDes

    could it be something else, water pump, etc??

  2. #2
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    Forgot to mention not showing any codes. 2001 with 128k on the clock, I replaced the tensioner which didn’t appear to have any impact on noise heard in video. Also I suspect tensioner had been replaced previously as it was longer just like the replacement not shorter like the pics I’ve seen of the originals.

  3. #3
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    Sounds like pieces of the guides rattling around in there to me.

    Is the chain loose if you feel it through the oil fill cap?
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  4. #4
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    Chain feels tight feeling through the oil cap. To me it sounds like bearings in the water pump but knowing about the guide issue with this motor + the slightly rough idle it suddenly has, makes me think it must be guides as well

  5. #5
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    Drain the oil and drop the oil pan to check for debris. Could be the water pump but the few I've had go out didn't sound that way. Pull the belt and see if there is any play in the fan.

  6. #6
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    Doesn't sound like the classic timing chain slap - so worth removing the belts and running for a few seconds to see if the noise goes away.....
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  7. #7
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    Check for faults the timing chain will have the very familer fault, the noise it makes when it is the timing chain guides is very easy to hear because the timing system rotates at half the speed of the crankshaft.

  8. #8
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    Wow, after >20yrs of pulling fans off BMWs I’m finally going to have to give up and order the tool here’s the screwdriver I tried to use for leverage to get the fan off, to no avail
    2535A051-AB8B-4E3C-A34C-69C18F073452.jpg

  9. #9
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    Water pump looks like it is wobbling. The bearings in the ALT can also sound like guides when they go. Removing the belt and starting it will help rule out some things. With that done you can check the idler pulleys and spin everything by hand and feel which is bad.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by 740ilDuke View Post
    Water pump looks like it is wobbling. The bearings in the ALT can also sound like guides when they go. Removing the belt and starting it will help rule out some things. With that done you can check the idler pulleys and spin everything by hand and feel which is bad.
    I’d say water pump bearings must be shot:

    https://youtu.be/NgwEoZ-5eO8

    I’m thinking good news if a bad water pump can be good news. With the belt off the slapping sound was gone!

    While I was running it with belt off (only couple minutes motor was still cool to touch after) it started to slightly rev by itself and as I was shutting it down I got the “trans failsafe” light, hoping just symptomatic of running with the main belt off.

    Well guess I’m off to order the pump unless it sounds like dying motor or trans to anyone .......


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    Last edited by ck1995; 02-06-2019 at 07:56 PM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by ck1995 View Post
    I’d say water pump bearings must be shot:

    https://youtu.be/NgwEoZ-5eO8

    I’m thinking good news if a bad water pump can be good news. With the belt off the slapping sound was gone!

    While I was running it with belt off (only couple minutes motor was still cool to touch after) it started to slightly rev by itself and as I was shutting it down I got the “trans failsafe” light, hoping just symptomatic of running with the main belt off.

    Well guess I’m off to order the pump unless it sounds like dying motor or trans to anyone .......


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    That is clearly shot. Much better easier to replace than the timing chain guides, so good news

  12. #12
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    All buttoned up....
    Wow that water pump was a PITA, everything was a hassle,starting with the fan and continuing through broken vacuum lines etc. That said the 7 is back up and running smoothly with no chain rattles!


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  13. #13
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    Congrats! You still got it easy!

  14. #14
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    Agreed........


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  15. #15
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    Lucky you caught it before it exploded and damaged everything in front of it including your hood. Good job...

  16. #16
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    Congrats. A tip I've found with removing fans was to put a long wrench on it then smack the wrench with a hammer on the other end I the direction to remove the nut. Surprisingly I have a video of this removing the fan on my e36.
    https://youtu.be/i4P9lX4lVjw

  17. #17
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    Get the tool as it's only like $20

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by pizzaman09 View Post
    Congrats. A tip I've found with removing fans was to put a long wrench on it then smack the wrench with a hammer on the other end I the direction to remove the nut. Surprisingly I have a video of this removing the fan on my e36.
    https://youtu.be/i4P9lX4lVjw
    Yep, know that trick and used it successfully on e36s & e39s quite a few times. This particular e38 was having none of that, it took way more effort then I can explain even once I broke down and ordered the tool. I lost almost a day of labor plus shipping time to get the tool, i was ready to just junk the car I was so frustrated.......


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