Timing chain tensioner

[COSteve]

Is replacing the timing chain tensioner a prudent preemptive thing to do? My 01 came to me with no service history. Only 47k miles.
The chain rattles for 1/4 second or so on cold startup. Part is cheap and job looks easy. Any downside?

[Timm]

Yes, always a good plan - even on low-mileage cars the tensioner can become gummed up and ineffective....

[chucknorium]

BMW changed the design of the tensioner. New one has longer spring.

[Timm]

More info here:

https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/E31_Ti..._Tensioner.htm

[SpeedyE38]

Whatever you do...do NOT uncompress it prior to installing it. It will uncompress itself after install. If you do it prior, you had better have hands as strong as a rock climber. You know the types, they use their hands to hold themselves aloft without a harness. That strong. (Can you tell I made the mistake?)

[COSteve]

Thanks for the heads up on that. The voice of experience?

[georgebest]

Whatever you do...do NOT uncompress it prior to installing it. It will uncompress itself after install. If you do it prior, you had better have hands as strong as a rock climber. You know the types, they use their hands to hold themselves aloft without a harness. That strong. (Can you tell I made the mistake?)

Apparently I should start rock climbing I have never managed to keep it compressed, but that's the way to do it.

[jjc034]

Also, you will hear terrible clanking until the oil pressure forces out the spring. Don't be alarmed by this - it is normal

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[COSteve]

Done this morning. Certainly not aa hard job. The old one was the older style so most likely original. Didn't really clank on startup, more of a rubbing/grinding sound for a second or two. Smoothed out right away.