Timing chain about to go?

[fratrickbateman]

Thank you everyone - Happy Turkeys and Healthy HOliday season.

Jay

Happy Thanksgiving Jay, How many miles are on your car?

[jpilk99]

Happy Thanksgiving Jay, How many miles are on your car?

Please don't laugh, but, ...203k. I know that's pretty high and may mean, "Dude, what are you thinking - just go buy a completely other car, one that's had the Timing Chain Guides DONE". But my mechanic is phenomenal with these cars, (he's an independent"), and I believe he'll give me a good deal. (I am trading messages with Nick from here, but, he's in Florida and it may not be cost effective to fly him in, etc., but, certainly considering that). I believe I'd have to spend $3,000 - $4,000 for a good version of my current car, with maybe 150,000 miles and even if the TCGs were done, there are other unknowns that might percolate up. Mine was running quite well up until this issue, so, if I spend $2,500 (which is what he estimates for the job; parts and labor) or even $3,000 ...I feel like it's worth it.

But, what were you going to say fratrickbateman :-)?

[fratrickbateman]

Please don't laugh, but, ...203k.
But, what were you going to say fratrickbateman :-)?

That's high miles for the guide failure and surprising. If you're planning on keeping the car for a really long time and still love it then just get it done if a mechanic gives you a great price. But I dunno, if it is three to 4 thousand and that much labor, at that point I would just fork over a few extra bucks and do a rebuild as the car is already totalled at that point. If you think about it you'd have to pay 6-7 grand for a good car anyway with an un-refurbed motor plus some sorting, so why not have the sorted one you already like with basically a new motor in it for the same price or maybe even a little bit cheaper? A car with the guides done is still a car with over 200k miles on it and little to no resale value. Just the way I see it, but everybody has a different perception.

I'm going to drop the M5 motor in or move on from the car if and whenever my motor goes. Won't know until I cross the bridge. Sure as hell won't be putting a used E38 motor back in it!

[clarkitect]

I don't think you'll get too much laughing around here for fixing the guides on a 203k mile car. This is a safe place.

My black car has I think around 230k and I like to keep spare parts around just in case.


Actually I am totally planning on swapping the engine but things just keep delaying the job. Like that white car for instance.

[alexisonfire]

I don't think you'll get too much laughing around here for fixing the guides on a 203k mile car. This is a safe place.

My black car has I think around 230k and I like to keep spare parts around just in case.


Actually I am totally planning on swapping the engine but things just keep delaying the job. Like that white car for instance.

Is that white one the one that was f/s in VT recently for 2500 and had only like...34k miles on it?

[clarkitect]

Is that white one the one that was f/s in VT recently for 2500 and had only like...34k miles on it?

Yeppers. Another project.

[purplecty]

Now that's BaT material!

[jpilk99]

You guys rock. I'll let you know how things progress. Thanks again for EVERYONE'S help!

Happy Turkeys

[clarkitect]

Now that's BaT material!

Haha! if I get off my butt and get it fixed up it could be!

You guys rock. I'll let you know how things progress. Thanks again for EVERYONE'S help!

Happy Turkeys

You too! And good luck with the car!

[georgebest]

Please don't laugh, but, ...203k. I know that's pretty high and may mean, "Dude, what are you thinking - just go buy a completely other car, one that's had the Timing Chain Guides DONE". But my mechanic is phenomenal with these cars, (he's an independent"), and I believe he'll give me a good deal. (I am trading messages with Nick from here, but, he's in Florida and it may not be cost effective to fly him in, etc., but, certainly considering that). I believe I'd have to spend $3,000 - $4,000 for a good version of my current car, with maybe 150,000 miles and even if the TCGs were done, there are other unknowns that might percolate up. Mine was running quite well up until this issue, so, if I spend $2,500 (which is what he estimates for the job; parts and labor) or even $3,000 ...I feel like it's worth it.

But, what were you going to say fratrickbateman :-)?

I went totally overboard with my TCG replacement and basically replaced everything what I took out. I think it came out at around $2,800 in parts. Again, this doesnt make any sense but this car is my only hobby, others going to Vegas The engine is flawless, zero error message and runs like a new car. It was worth it to me, it's just a absolute joy having the engine in a perfect shape.

[fratrickbateman]

I don't think you'll get too much laughing around here for fixing the guides on a 203k mile car. This is a safe place.

My black car has I think around 230k and I like to keep spare parts around just in case.


Actually I am totally planning on swapping the engine but things just keep delaying the job. Like that white car for instance.

Hahaha Nice move! That sucker looks brand new. My friend joked with me once that I should just buy the M5 motor and tranny now, do a rebuild if I can find a good deal, then just throw it on the shelf, lying in wait! I would do it but I don't want to risk getting to the point where the motor goes and perhaps I may want to just move on to another car. I may go get another VW phaeton, first gen LS400, 560SEC, or W140 S class when that day comes, so I don't want to force myself into a corner Plus plenty of people on here have gone close to a half million miles on OG guides. I'm coming up on year 6 now and still love the car. But man I miss my Phaetons, and the other three cars are sexy with qualities that the E38 doesn't have. But none of them are as pretty. 560SEC is pretty damn close though

[rslifkin]

I keep having the guides debate on my car. 164k on original guides. Which has me wondering whether to fix the oil leaks, do the guides, maybe do something about the noisy VANOS, etc. Or wait until something is ready to fail. Or spend a little more, hunt down an M62TUB46, do the guides on it and swap that in.

[georgebest]

I keep having the guides debate on my car. 164k on original guides. Which has me wondering whether to fix the oil leaks, do the guides, maybe do something about the noisy VANOS, etc. Or wait until something is ready to fail. Or spend a little more, hunt down an M62TUB46, do the guides on it and swap that in.

My guides died only at around 97k you guys are lucky

[racer2086]

I did mine before they failed and that was at 195k. Honestly, if you've had the car a long time and cared for it, I would fix your own engine rather than get another. Who knows how the other was treated.

[jpilk99]

Agree 100% Racer. I could buy a motor from an unknown car that is “supposedly “ tip top, spend $600-$1000 for it, pull mine - put new one in and have something fail in 6 months and be looking at another massive repair. My engine ran smooth and strong, consuming no oil or coolant (okay, negligible amounts) and the tranny shifts smooth as butter ...all this before this “clacking” started las week. I’m not thrilled at the expense but this car has been paid for for a while. So if I need to invest to get her back to where she was last week, and likely ensure she’ll be good for another few years ...we’ll then I believe I am moving forward with my mechanic and getting TCG and whatever bits along the way, maybe VANOS rebuilt(?)...

Thanks all.

Jay


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[clarkitect]

Do the guides and rebuild the vanos! It’s not all that difficult. My guides went out at 178k, right after I bought the damn thing. Replaced them and 50k miles later the car still runs fantastic. Bummer is the engine has developed an knock under load, hence the replacement engine. Honestly the damn thing will probably just keep going. I’ve been told to drive till the wheels fall off!

If you were closer I’d collaborate to help but just a little too far and too many of my own projects. Your stahlblau is awesome. My favorite color.

[jpilk99]

Thanks Clarkitect


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[acspecialists]

Mine went 172k miles and could have stayed in. I was going after the vanos and figured I would just knock it out. I have touched everything except the trans and I have a spare for that. I take my car to the track and it is a joy to drive, "if" the engine ever goes the S62 six speed is going in.

[jpilk99]

Thanks acs. You’re all confirming what’s in my heart the right thing to do. Looking forward to updating this thread after she’s done.


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[alexisonfire]

Did u get them done ?