[GXCars]

Just wanted to share this as a bit of preventative maintenance as the result shocked me a bit.

I have an E92 320d 162k miles and noticed a slight rattle from the chain on startup, as I had to also replace the cam sensor I thought whilst I had all the covers and pollen filter tray out I'd replace the top tensioner on the chain as there is no record of it ever being done

The top tensioner is located half way down the block on the rear RH side of the engine just above the top of the cat, you cant see it you have to put your hand in and feel for it. Absolute swine to undo I had to use a breaker bar to loosen it.

However once I had cracked it off there was no resistance and it spun out by hand. When I took it out it actually fell to pieces in my hand !

Needless to say new tensioner (£43.00 from Berry Heathrow) which is the latest revision had tension on the last few turns as I tightened it (thats also a swine to tighten properly) and I cant believe how much quieter the car is !

Latest part number for mine is 11 31 8 586 699

I think it might be worth doing if you car hasnt had one since 2014 when the latest revision came out

Hope it helps

[old grey steve]

This is not just a problem with your spec of engine seen plenty of N43's and N46's plus Mini's with the said same issues ideally me being me says that as part of a service routine considering the importance of this device they should of been factorted in to say every 3rd service like say the air and oil filters on these cars as they do as you have seen go weak and can fail its something that sure would add to servicing costs but surely would be a preventitive measure to help ensure that timing chain issues are managed

[steve430dxdrive]

I just had mine changed as I developed the tell tale noise, even though BMW ended their quality enhancement a few carefully worded emails managed to get the right result for me, it really does make a difference to be persistent

[GXCars]

im trying to weigh up whether to get the chains done, as I dont have the kit to pull the engine i'm going to have to pay someone to do it, I've tried BMW for some goodwill and their response is simply to book it in and pay £99 to have them checked.

Car has done 160k so it's just a matter of time I guess. I've had quote ranging from £595 to £2400 and you wonder if the genuine BMW chain kit is any better than the FAI kit at less than half the price

When I bought the car BMW originally told me that it had the quality enhancement but apparently if it hadnt been done during 2015 then they just ticked all the boxes on every car saying it had been done and the only way you can be certain is by having the dealer check the warranty claim system.

Absolute joke - they should at least check it FOC

[Mikey3351213]

Anybody have the torque specs to that tensioner??👀

[Tambohamilton]

2AZ:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...mshaft/5iKKXHa

[tades]

Do I need to draw of oil when replacing the upper tensioner?

[Tambohamilton]

Nope, though it'll leak a little. I'd just have a rag under it, and the new one ready to go in straight away.

Note that you need to fill the new tensioner with oil before you fit it, by submerging it in oil and cycling the plunger.

[CantSitStill]

BMW manual says different - quote

"If the chain tensioner is reused, its oil chamber must be drained. Place chain tensioner on a level support and slowly compress.

Repeat process twice"

[Tambohamilton]

Just looked it up myself... doesn't even mention it