Chain tensioner

[TIMMOS29]

Hi

Im considering doing some preventative maintenance stuff on the z4 2006 81000 miles

On the list so far

oil change as changed 2 years ago although only 4000 miles done since.
Aux belt tensioner plus pulley (belt looks ok but cant tell what age, unless someone can decipher the coding on belt.)

Cam chain tensioner ( surely a good shout)

Anything else you would consider?

Cheers

 

[Rockhopper]

I change the oil yearly or every 5000 miles, whichever comes first. Aux belt, for what they cost just change it. You'll be able to feel if tensioners etc need changing when the belt is off.
Expansion tank is the only other thing I'd look at - I must do mine one day!

 

[TIMMOS29]

I change the oil yearly or every 5000 miles, whichever comes first. Aux belt, for what they cost just change it. You'll be able to feel if tensioners etc need changing when the belt is off.
Expansion tank is the only other thing I'd look at - I must do mine one day!

good shout on the expansion tank, ive read that certain makes are useless so if anyone has some decent recommendations that would be great.

 

[Zedebee]

You never know when the expansion tank is about to go, and it doesn’t happen spectacularly. BMW ones fail (or they wouldn’t need replacing) and branded ones fail. I wouldn’t bother replacing it pre-emptively, as there is a risk that you will destroy o-rings / pipe joints / thermostat (if an auto) downstream. Just replace it when it starts leaking.

 

[TIMMOS29]

You never know when the expansion tank is about to go, and it doesn’t happen spectacularly. BMW ones fail (or they wouldn’t need replacing) and branded ones fail. I wouldn’t bother replacing it pre-emptively, as there is a risk that you will destroy o-rings / pipe joints / thermostat (if an auto) downstream. Just replace it when it starts leaking.

Good shout!!

whats your thought s on chain tensioner? surely these lose springiness after 19 years?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

oil change as changed 2 years ago although only 4000 miles done since.

Aim for at least annually going forward imho. No more than 10k miles at most.

Aux belt tensioner plus pulley (belt looks ok

Tensioner is probably a good shout. The belt looks ok so has probably been done at some point. I think there’s an idler pulley too you can do.

Cam chain tensioner ( surely a good shout)

Looks easy enough to do the tensioner piston. Is that what you mean? From RealOEM:
07 Chain tensioner 1 11317584723 $44.10
08 Gasket ring A22,2X28 1 11317534251 $1.81

I don’t recall anyone else here doing this as preventative though. To me it would seem if there are chain issues this isn’t going to fix them.

 

[Zedebee]

whats your thought s on chain tensioner? surely these lose springiness after 19 years?

No idea I’m afraid. It’s worth reminding the group that yours is a 2-litre. There are a few N46 experts on the forum (e.g. [ref]Tug[/ref]), but most have 6-cylinder M54/N52 engines which require very little maintenance beyond basic servicing.

 

[Meds]

whats your thought s on chain tensioner? surely these lose springiness after 19 years?

If you're talking of the timing chain tensioner, internal to the engine, they're hydraulic and work from oil pressure so no springiness to worry about..

You're thinking of the auxilary belt at the front of the engine, right?
If so, you can do the tensioner, belt and pulleys as a preventative measure, especially if the belt has been covered in oil from a leaky gasket.

80k and 2006. I'd be concentrating on the water pump, thermostat and 'micky mouse' flange.

[Edit after seeing it's a 2ltr]:.. Ignore everything above, unless it happens to apply to the 2ltr. :rofl:

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Is the OPs car a 2.0?

If so forget what I said. Really important to state your engine code. Or put it in your signature.

 

[TIMMOS29]

Is the OPs car a 2.0?

If so forget what I said. Really important to state your engine code. Or put it in your signature.

Yes sorry I thought i put it in the OP and signature yes a N462 LITRE 150BHP engine. wasnt rich enough to buy a 3 litre..

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Is the OPs car a 2.0?

If so forget what I said. Really important to state your engine code. Or put it in your signature.

Yes sorry I thought i put it in the OP and signature yes a N462 LITRE 150BHP engine. wasnt rich enough to buy a 3 litre..

Have a look on realoem for the chain tensioner diagram. I still don't think it's serviceable without taking the head off.

 

[TIMMOS29]

Is the OPs car a 2.0?

If so forget what I said. Really important to state your engine code. Or put it in your signature.

Yes sorry I thought i put it in the OP and signature yes a N462 LITRE 150BHP engine. wasnt rich enough to buy a 3 litre..

Have a look on realoem for the chain tensioner diagram. I still don't think it's serviceable without taking the head off.

Yes you can its on the left hand side and really really easy to do. They say do it on the n46 engine if its a bit rattly’in start up for a second

 

[smorris_12]

FWIW I've never replaced a BMW aux belt in my life. I bought one for my E36 many years ago, swapped it and found the old one was like new at 10+ years & 100+k miles. My late lamented 320d went to the scrappy with its original belt at 286k miles. The 53 plate X5 has just ticked over 200k and probably hasn't been done since it stopped seeing a dealer. The tensioner has been making a noise for years but gets no worse.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Yes sorry I thought i put it in the OP and signature yes a N462 LITRE 150BHP engine. wasnt rich enough to buy a 3 litre..

Have a look on realoem for the chain tensioner diagram. I still don't think it's serviceable without taking the head off.

Yes you can its on the left hand side and really really easy to do. They say do it on the n46 engine if its a bit rattly’in start up for a second

I was referring to the chain and mechanism.

 

[Rockhopper]

I don’t get why you wouldn't replace the aux belt if there is any doubt, it’s cheap, easy to do and would leave you stranded if it failed.

 

[TIMMOS29]

I don’t get why you wouldn't replace the aux belt if there is any doubt, it’s cheap, easy to do and would leave you stranded if it failed.

yep im gonna do it tonight along with the tensioner and pullet thanks to you guys!!