So, after 8 years and reading some pretty nasty stories about the cousin v8 chain tensioner and related guide rails, I decided to change the spring of the chain tensioner.
You need the coil spring p/n 11411706809 and the aluminum crush washer p/n 07119963418 (gasket ring).
The procedure is trivial at best. I did it while doing the oil change. The Chain tensioner is located on the passenger side, in front of the engine behind the air check valve:
Stuff some paper towel and rags - there are electrical wires underneath, and oil will come out:
You need a 32mm socket or a 1 1/4" socket. They will both fit. The tensioner is at an angle, and you might not be able to remove it with a straight extension (a wrench "might" work, but bear in mind you deal with aluminum here), so here is what I used:
Out it comes:
The gasket might get stuck on the engine. Make sure you don't leave it there.
Here is a side-by-side of the old vs the new spring. You can see the old one is slightly compressed:
Buttoned everything up, and tightened it with 25 Nm. EDIT: tightening torque for M54 engines is 70 Nm as per TIS
After starting the car, the assembly will need to be filled with engine oil. I was actually amazed how quiet the car is now. As mentioned, I had no codes and no driveability issues, but the car sure sounds like new now!!!
Last edited by Doru; 07-04-2011 at 01:55 PM.
Looking for a DIY? Parts? Check this out, it might be your ticket
Stable: e92is, e53 N62, e46M54B25, Tribby & e39 M54B30 R.I.P.
Thanks! E-z peezy
Other cars that don't matter, and then..
'01 530i Sport/Premium/Cold Weather(My 1st love)
'02 540i Sport/Premium/Cold Weather (German bitch)
'06 330i Sport/Comfort (Sweetness!)
'08 535i/6 Sport/Premium/Comfort/Nav ()
'99 528i Sport Touring (Repaired the Previous owners garbage and let her go)
'02 525iT Premium/Nav/Cold Weather/Alpine/Supercherry
'90 325i e30 sedan schwarz (1st e30 project!)
'90 325is e30
'06 X5 4.4
'04 325i Sport
'04 330ci
'89 325IX 31k Original Miles!
'04 330i e46 coupe
'08 550i Sport
'13 535i Sport
'13 328i Luxury
'88 e30 Stroker
Great news! Or is it placebo effect? JK. Thanks Doru, I will be doing both mine and the wife's next week, if the parts ever get here from Autohaus of AZ.
So all you need to replace is the spring and washer?
2007 Carerra S
2009 E91
1990 Toyo PU - POS
2000 E39/5
1976 911
It comes as a complete unit. He just took it apart to show what the guts look like. I did this and the upper tensioner on my E36 M3 when I rebuilt the VANOS. It really is as simple as it looks.So all you need to replace is the spring and washer?
1998 ///M3/4/5 | 1999 528iT | 2003 Z4 3.0i
Looking for a DIY? Parts? Check this out, it might be your ticket
Stable: e92is, e53 N62, e46M54B25, Tribby & e39 M54B30 R.I.P.
I've never seen a thread where the tensioner failed on the 6-cylinders. Not saying it isn't good to do preventive maintenance, but...
It must be available both ways. I ordered part #11317838675 which is the complete assembly.Are you sure? The spring listed as a separate part and can be ordered as such.
1998 ///M3/4/5 | 1999 528iT | 2003 Z4 3.0i
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.
This is what is listed at realoem.com with that part #. Are you sure it is for E39s?? From the picture it also looks substantially different. I think you ordered the wrong part pal:
E36 M3 Convertible, S52, USA, AUTO (BK03) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
E36 M3 Convertible, S52, USA, MANUAL (BK93) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
E36 M3 Coupe, S52, USA, MANUAL (BG93) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
E36 M3 Sedan, S52, USA, AUTO (CD03) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
E36 M3 Sedan, S52, USA, MANUAL (CD93) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
E46 M3 Convertible, S54, USA (BR93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 Coupe, S54, USA (BL93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 Convertible, S54, Europe (BR91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 Convertible, S54, Europe, RHD (BR92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 Coupe, S54, Europe (BL91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 Coupe, S54, Europe, RHD (BL92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 CSL Coupe, S54, Europe (BL95) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E46 M3 CSL Coupe, S54, Europe, RHD (BL96) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E85 Z4 M3.2 Roadster, S54, USA (BT93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E85 Z4 M3.2 Roadster, S54, Europe (BT91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E85 Z4 M3.2 Roadster, S54, Europe, RHD (BT92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E86 Z4 M3.2 Coupe, S54, USA (DU93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E86 Z4 M3.2 Coupe, S54, Europe (DU91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
E86 Z4 M3.2 Coupe, S54, Europe, RHD (DU92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Coupe, S52, USA (CM93) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
Z3 Z3 M Roadster, S52, USA (CK93) : Timing - Timing Chain Lower P
Z3 Z3 M Coupe, S54, USA (CN93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Roadster, S54, USA (CL93) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Coupe, S54, Europe (CN91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Coupe, S54, Europe, RHD (CN92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Roadster, S54, Europe (CL91) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Z3 Z3 M Roadster, S54, Europe, RHD (CL92) : Timing and valve train-timing chain
Last edited by crdiscoverer; 07-04-2011 at 01:37 PM.
Resident Third World Country Advisor
A failed tensioner won't destroy an M62, my tensioner failed in the compressed state and was barely noticeable. I think m62's only have a problem if it's left in place for extended periods of time, allowing the chain to slap around at start up and break off pieces of the guides. I replaced it fairly quickly and the engine runs perfect with very little valve train noise and zero startup rattle.
M62L76
this guy is genius
today replaced chain tensioners on 2 I6 cars, with right tool its 20 min for both , dealer price is 2.50 each
my springs were shorter on 2MM
no more "gzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" on a cold start
better idle
engine is more quiet !
good job Doru !
Last edited by champaign777; 03-13-2012 at 12:52 AM.
I'm seeing #11411706809 for the spring. Is this correct?
All right, I just ordered the parts for my M52! I can confirm it's even easier to replace since you don't need all those angled extensions for the wrench. There is plenty of room around the nut. I will report back since I occasionally get the tapping noise at startup.
Resident Third World Country Advisor
Did it over the weekend. Took all of five min. A but more quiet.
2007 Carerra S
2009 E91
1990 Toyo PU - POS
2000 E39/5
1976 911
Where can I find these parts?
Dealer. Or Pelican Parts can get them.
No current BMWs.
1994 Roadmaster Wagon
1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina
Why not replace the piston as well (item #12). There's bound to be a little slop after, say, 75000 miles.
What say you, Doru?
Replaced my spring yesterday. Boy was the old one compressed: about 5mm shorter.
I already notice a reduced clatter in cold starts. Also replaced the plugs.
Resident Third World Country Advisor
I did mine about 3 weeks ago. Didn't notice any change whatsoever.
I didn't even feel a placebo improvement.
"I'd smash that (Jennifer Connelly) like a failed coup in sub-Saharan Africa."
~Macktheknife in my epic Jennifer Connelly OT Thread
Just installed new spring today and there is definitely a noticeable difference . Crush gasket and spring was $6.91 from the local dealer including taxes.
Did you guys fill it up with oil and then install it, or just install it w/o adding oil?
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