horrible rattling noise from timing chain/vanos area????

barmybovine · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 05:22 PM

can hear a not so nice sound from the front of the engine and just latley ...last 2 months have been feeling a general lack of power.....what could be wrong ...is it safe to drive the car??...i have to do just over 100 miles every otherday for work

thanks in advance

BMLRacer · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 05:55 PM

Time for a new Vanos unit. Go see a dealer. Right now you're not hurting it more by driving it, but I would get if fixed ASAP.

Brian

M3jokster · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 08:12 PM

if u hear a noise after u accelerate, at around 1500 rpm if so it could be your lower tensioner.

if you're hearing it at all rpms then it could be your VANOS

BMLRacer · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 08:26 PM

If the car has been feeling weak then there is no question that it is the Vanos unit.

barmybovine · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 08:57 PM

i cant hear the noise when im driving only when standing in front of the car .....doesnt really rattle till i rev it up but still the car runs poorly....could tensioner cause poor running ???

if it is new vanos unit ...how much could expect to pay for parts and is it a DIY job ??

thanks

BMLRacer · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 10:24 PM

I'll bet ya a Hundred bucks that it is your Vanos. It is not a DIY job. Take it to the dealer or a really good independent shop. It's not going to be cheap, but it will be more expensive in the long run if you cheap out and have it done by some nit-wit. Sorry, but this is when having a M3 hurts a little.

Brian

barmybovine · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 01:03 AM

have read several articles just that pretty much all say its not a very hard job at all and is diy ???? also in my experience going to a stealer doesnt garuntee some nit wit isnt gonna do it anyways...do you tend to do most your work yourself or do you mainly leave it to a shop????

thanks again