Shop was asking $3600. I did it my self for $500 in parts including new water pump. Bmw should go bankrupt for designing engine parts with plastic.

Awesome Nathan. Thanks. I bought my 2001 knowing it had this issue. I had a reputable shop here near me do the repair for $2200, which is a lot of money for me. I'm posting that so others can get a feel for the price. I had one other shop say $2500. One thing you have mentioned before, and was confirmed when we got into my car was the oil filter. Since they are so accessible, it makes a ton of sense to pull it for inspection if you suspect your guides are failing. Mine was saturated with aluminum pieces and flakes. A sure sign of internal damage. You can also sight down the oil fill hole with a flashlight and get a look at the chain and the guides. And of course, drop the oil pan and sift out the plastic. It's such a shame that Hans and Franz in Germany left as all holding the bag from shitty plastic pieces on these otherwise amazing machines....window regulators, sun roofs, cup holders...all garbage. I would have done this job myself, but at the time I just saved up the money from working overtime at work and left it to the pros. I did that BEFORE seeing your very good video on how to do the repair. With the tool set you mentioned and some common sense and not being in a rush, the job is doable. The thing is, I still have a cold start rattle, and I still have what really must be a bad lifter. The rhythm of the second noise tells me its cam related...too slow to be a piston, etc. I've seen your vid on inspecting the lifters, and one where you had just a crazy amount of gunked up lifters in one engine! I want/need to get in and pull the cams and inspect the lifters. Can those be replaced with new ones? What about wear on the cams themselves...I mean aren't they sort of matched to the lifter after a lot of miles? (I'm at 138k). The other thing I've come across on the forums is the check valve that is behind the vanos module. If I'm not mistaken it can fail and prevent oil from staying in the upper part of the engine and can result in a brief rattle at start up until the oil gets distributed into the rest of the engine. It looks like an easy fix, can you discuss it? The other thing I didn't do, nor did my mechanic, is to address the oil pump as you mentioned (I will call and confirm this, but I'm not aware that he did, though the pan was dropped). Are you suggesting we pull the pan and use some Brakekleen or something to get residual gunk, aluminum and plastic out of it? (that's gotta be the dumbest question I've ever asked) So pull the pan, clean the screen and pump (replace the screen?), then seal a new gasket and reinstall the pan? Sounds pretty straight forward. Sorry for the long post. I know there are a lot of enthusiasts out there who just need the confidence (plus the time, tools and a bit of $$) to do these jobs, and you generously provide the teaching that gives that confidence! Thank you brother!!!!

Appreciated your video, I am going to swap my e39 540i in a few weeks. I am glad you have so much videos on the M62.

I have a '97 540iA...non vanos...206,000 miles. Still has factory guides. Although I have changed tensioner. No noise on start up, and runs quiet. However, my 2001 740iL has 138,000 miles...it is the vanos 4.4...and I do hear occasional rattle on cold start, but gets quiet right away. Prob have the guides done by Nathan someday...I'm in Indiana so I'd need to take the car to Missouri but I'm up for road trip. Be cool to meet Nathan and see his shop and BMW graveyard! Lol. I've watched all Nathan's DIY videos...very informative I appreciate it.

great info Nathan,lookin at a 530 or 540 to buy, love the motor sounds

2003 540 did my guides had code for advanced timing got germen auto solutions 265.00 $ tools 4.4 is happy thanks nathan

This is also relevant for the 2003-2005 Range Rover which used the 4.4 M62TU BMW engine. :) I am going to be tackling this job on my project Range Rover this summer, and will probably do my 540i during the winter. Thanks Nathan!

I appreciate your videos; quite helpful. Can you offer advice on the timing chain wear on the M62/tu and its expected lifespan?

Great advice.

very helpfull great advice

Good info. Thank you.

Good shit Nathan

Good information thanks

great video Nathan. When can I make an appointment to have you fix my 2001 740il? 😉

Nathan, are those Lexani tires you used a while back actually any good? I'm wondering since I'm shopping tires. Thanks for these awesome videos!

Good topic. I need help getting my m64tu timing chain guides done. Car in pieces, stuck at Jesus bolt removal

good info

Hi nathan i reused my old chain. But im doing the job again now .i dont get y you have to time the vanos once you lock the cams y do u have to time the vanos

what about a 94 540i are they different and how, PS I suscribed. like your site

Hey Nathan I just changed my alternator and my power steering pump on my E38 and I have a whining noise and can't tell which one is it any possible suggestions thanks

So that would as well apply to an e60 550i with 4.8l m62?

I'm wondering can I only replace the guides? Remove one put the other one in type a thing without removing the chain?

Which guide set do you recommend?

Thanks, I waiting for the growling noise, so far she's not making it yet. I came up with just under $500 in parts, plus oil pan gasket kit. and Tax.

Can you show us the sounds the failing chain guides make? I recently bought a 2000 540i Sports Wagon, 125,000 miles, and have noticed a knocking sound but not sure about the sound you described upon cold start.

Thanks for the tips guys. One suggestion, 2 perhaps is Most people put silicone on gaskets, torque them down and leave it, applying far too much silicone and you definitely Don’t want Any of that in the oil as it will clog galleys and tear up bearings like coolant will. Recommended procedure is to place a small bead, Finger tighten, allow to cure, Then torque it down! Of course if you don’t super-clean mating surfaces of any oil residue success rates will diminish. Silicone will break down with gasoline; not recommended for timing and sump applications as gas gets in oil eventually, perhaps this is not applicable to improved silicone products?? In the 1970s & 80’s We use to use the black shellac Type stuff that was very tacky/sticky and although it was very difficult to remove, held like crazy. I still use a lot of silicone but would prefer to use the old, hard to find stuff. Thanks for the vid., you guys obviously know your stuff and yes if you shop around you can find deals on parts & kits; Read the reviews and know exactly you have the right kit!!! Thumbs of for Knowledge that we share to help the next guy with these nightmare issues of over-engineered German texhnology; Not My term! Why did Land Rover Use an old BMW Engine and not offer customers reliability like everything that is designed to fail?! They obviously didn’t consider its customers of past or future. I’m not a hater, just very disappointed In Land Rover.

70K - 120K miles. On the forums, it's usually quoted as around 150K miles before they go. One delaying tactic is to put on a lower-temp Thermostat and change your engine mounts to reduce vibration and heat impact on the plastic parts. 1. Drop the oil pan and look for pieces. 2. When the plastic has gone - you hear it. The timing chain is "whipping" around and making metal noise against the aluminum.

Hey how much average cost to replace timing chain replacing

Nathan, when re-installing the timing chain guide covers, do you use ultra grey on both sides of the gasket?

hi Nathan my timing chain guides are definitely breaking apart I have the whole motor apart I have a 1997 540 non Vanos I'm trying to figure out what parts I should change should I just change these three guides you're talking about should I also change all the chains? And what about the two top guides the guide the overhead cams? thanks for your help my car is got 240k on it compression still good so I decide to do the job

My car has 160 miles guides are still good :) what killing the guides is two thinks high temp. and no oil change, 9 years ago I did change the different thermostat 80c oem is 105c maybe thats why they are good so far.

Just did this job after 190k miles on my 01 740i sport as preventative maintenance. I paid 3100 from an indy shop which does this job all the time. Parts costs were around 1100 which included valley pan, all internal gaskets, valve cover gaskets.

@NathansDIYGarage I just bought a 2001 740iL. I love these cars but I have some issues. I don't think the guides are bad but I will have to check the lower oil pan. But can I just replace the chain tensioner? I didn't see one on your amazon page. Is aftermarket ok or do I need to go oem. Thanks

Are there any after market options made from a better material like Kevlar or a PTFE ?

When my dad passed away he left an 01-03 (don't know exactly) 540i and my sister took it because she needed a car, I didn't. I fear that it won't last much longer because she can't do her own repairs and I doubt she could drop a few thousand for a shop to handle it, and unfortunately we live on opposite parts of the country.

Hi Nathan. I'm new to your site, but have learned a lot from your video's. Wondering, can a timing chain issue cause the loss of compression on one entire bank (4 cylinders)? Good compression on the passenger side NO compression on the drivers side on a 2003 540i Six Speed. Any thoughts?

Hi, congrats for your channel, is a lot helpful to me, and I have a question about my car, , I have a code in my BMW X5 4.4 2002, the code is P0011, I'm trying to find for long time how fix it, but like you said in your video, the 80% of the workshops all time they said something different or they don't know exactly what to do,... And is really expensive.. I love this car, good memories, and I feel bad don't find any answer, My car is sitting now for almost 2 years, I hope you can give me a opinion about my problem, is just one code still runs and no noises on the engine,, 240xxx miles... appreciate any info you can share, thanks

I DIY the water pump on my 00 e39 540i m sport twice in a 3 yrs span. I also have the rattle on cold start up. Had the car sitting in the garage for about a week, and man when i fired that thing up, sounded like the rattle was hooked up to an amplifier lol i shut that shit off quicker that you blink. After shutting it off i restarted it in about 10 sec and it was a smooth start up. Can that be the guide rails going bad as you said or failed/failing check valve? Been having that cold start rattle off and on for more than a year now sorry to say.

Nathan, I have 02 540i keep making huge sucking noise from air intake manifold. I have replaced the timing guide, OSV, vent tube intake manifold gasket no smoke anymore. also the cvv the back cover I have tried 3 new one all aftermarket. still huge sucking noise when reach operating temperature. please give me some advise.

You said the cam shaft loosened, I have the same problem on 740 il what was the problem and your fix? I have done 10 chains and guides on 4.4 before but first time this problem. Also after this chain was replaced I get code after about three starts timing advanced on bank 2. I reset the chains and still came back. Any advise? Thank you great videos and advise Danny

I have a problem/question to ask. Driven home in my 00 BMW e38, pulled in my drive way tried to put my car in park and the gear selector would not move into park. It would go in all the other gears but not park. I played with it for about 15-20 minutes and it finally went into park. I get up to go to work and now the gear selector will not go into Drive. Is this the transmission cable that is the culpri?

Just bought a 2003 540i. The engine starts and feels like very little compression. Then I tried to start again and it started running better. Almost like the timing skipped. I know for a fact these guides are bad. Is this normal? Or is the engine trashed?

BMW's Marketing Team really did a number on the owners... ;)

Once you start to get the timing chain noise, how many miles you shouldn’t do before changing it? Or is it immediately?

do you think you may get away by just replace the guides and tensioners?

turn up the stereo

how long does this takes you, not rushing and taking to your time?

not to mention there is a grub screw that will not come with the new u rail guide. Make sure you transfer it from the old one to the new one. It's part number 11151736960 if you need to order

It's a US thing, the oil used in the USA is not the same as here in Europe, here I know 8 cars that went (total) and that includes the German cars to that drive them much harder then anywhere. in the US I read daily that the next car has TCG failure...... just some food for thought

Aren’t the guides more likely to break on the vanos v8 99-03?

Hi Nathan will this fail on the e34 ?

Nathan, you never said how much you would do the job for...

my R-Rover with 4.4 m62 v8 makes a rattle on start up but there is no noise afterwards and in oil changes i've found no plastic bits ..am i ok ?....my car is 2003 with 95,000 miles

150 degree turn entirely on plastic. Lordy.

Well there goes mine

How much do you charge for TCG job?

My 1997 BMW 540i got to 210000 miles before it blew

Just glue the backs of the plastics to the aluminium damn it.

Anyone in new England willing to do this job

Very Dramatic!" IF U HAD TO; IT'S CALLED, AN ENGINE REBUILD !"

LOL! At 70k miles and 80% of them fail within 3 months when replacing the engines. Dude, come on. Numbers are not your thing. I have owned a 540 for 14 year, active in the forums and know many BMW shop owners (friends). Stop telling such non-sense. And 90% of shops not willing to tackle the job? Sure if you bring it to a Honda Shop. I don't know one BMW indie mechanic that wouldn't do this job. Is it worth it for some to spend parts and labor to have it fixed by a shop is another question. I don't know where you live (maybe in the Midwest), but on the East Coast and West Coast it isn't hard to find a BMW indie that will do this job. You tell people to use aftermarket timing guides (really) and then quote valve cover gaskets (price) that is aftermarket (that price isn't OE). You are using Victor Reinz or other gaskets and don't have much experience with the quality over time. Please just stop! Leave it to the professionals.

front of my m62tu with 277,000 miles sounds like a diesel all the time.........would that be timing chains and guides?....oh by the way car runs like a bat out of hell.

The parts are inexpensive what is expensive is the labor. I paid about 2500 dollars.

They can't even make a cupholder i have a 740i and it the worst piece of junk ever made vw can't top this mine blew of course garbage i hate to look at it and no will take it free

This is wrong. The failures happen on the M62TU motors found ONLY on 09/1998-2001 vehicles. The chain guides fail because the chain stretches, and the piston tensioner doesn't tension the chain quick enough on startup. The chain slaps slightly, hence the startup noise, and this heavy metal chain smacks into the guides causing them to crack and eventually break.

3000 dollers

ALL THOSE PARTS ARE OUT OF STOCK 🤦‍♂️

These are the worst made cars in the world take it from me a 40 year master tech german enginering the have no interest in motors lasting over 50k they cater to rich snobs if you think you will be lucky and get a good one trust me there all crap after 50k

BMW planned obsolescence. Why in hell otherwise would you design such a a critical part soo poorly?

I could understand if the Chinese made this car. What a piece of junk! Engineering fail. Come on BMW!!!

Once you start to get the timing chain noise, how many miles you shouldn’t do before changing it? Or is it immediately?