Just started up my 2004 4.4 v8 petrol after having left it sat there for over a week in minus temps. It's just been mot'd and is running like a dream with no problems.

So, Started up fine but such a noise ..... like a bad diesel! Really clattery.

Thought it might be the fan hitting the shroud but no sign of that. Then took the engine cover off and it seems to be coming from the front left of the engine block, at the top of the block.

Could the cold have made the chain guides brittle and shatter on first impact with the chain turning?

If it is the chain guides, is it drivable at all (I would suspect not) but need to get it to a BMW engine specialist who is not too far away.

Comments and advice please chaps.

Hi,

I know it's not the answer your looking for but drop the oil out and take the bottom sump plate off. If the guides have gone you should find bits of your guides there.

Good luck... ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

What a coincidence the very same happened to mine on Friday.

Thx boatie, yeah know about how to find the bits but Any ideas if it may be something else at the top of the block before I go the whole hog?

Hi mick gulp! Have you had anyone look at it yet ? Any ideas on repair Costs?

Boatie - haven't heard that in a while  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

I think the diesel sound gives it away. I have heard of people driving theirs in that condition but I'm not so sure that I would.

Best of luck  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

+1 on dropping lower sump. You can put the oil back in it's not!

The tensioner is on the left.

If I was you, I would not drive it. I would if anything only idle it. And certainly not Rev it. It it is slack and it jumps a tooth, its toast, and that a ton of money.

I got mine with a dreadful clatter. The guides had broken, and it sounded quite bad. Often as the guide(s) has now broken up, it means that the chain can run against the front of the lower timing cover, and is filing it away, causing aluminium swarf -to the oil. Albeit, via the filter, so, you could also check inside there, beteen the lower leaves of the filter.
You might not have swarf, as you've not run it long.(I hope) but as said, any nylon fragments in the sump.....
Put the kettle on!

Hi,
I have dropped mine at a friends for strip down.

I am sure the noise on mine is the chain its bang on front centre and waterpump is quite new.

I have found a kit for £290 and timing kit for around £90, asked questions about if theyre the right bits in another thread

This happened recently to mine. Clatter like diesel noise. Thought initially it was the vanos as was coming from the front of the right hand bank as you face the engine. Then about a week later I got a high pitched whine and the engine was sluggish as if there was increased friction. Held a short copper pipe against the block and to my ear to pinpoint the noise and dropped the pan after some research, my noise is top right. 3 Guides are front centre and top left and right of the Vee. Anyway, F&€@ing plastic bits everywhere. 129k miles and poxy valve guides have delaminated and part of one is trapped between block and chain and that's where the whine is coming from. Whoever thought aluminium guides covered in plastic was a good idea should be shot. Not worth doing the work so bye bye rangie. Don't drive it as the swarf could end up everywhere in your engine including oil pickup point and block the pump. Lot of info on this on the american beemer forums. seems to be a common failure at the 120k mile mark. Lots of discussion about how different types of oil can encourage the part to fail

I have just done the job myself if you search my recent posts. I have also had a really nasty noise in the past that was the water pump bearing.
My car is on 120K but the guides hadn't failed but wanted to do them as well as chain which weren't worn and also rebuilt the vanos units
The job is doable with the right planning and preparation but I wouldn't even start the engine if the guides have failed.
I think the guides are more likely to fail on LPG vehicles as they run hotter although that is just my theory but the m62 was originally designed to run at 80 degrees and not the 105 degrees it does run at for the emissions so again my theory is the increased temperature causes the plastic guides to become brittle.

Info regarding my timing chain rebuild here

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post416694.html#416694

Good point on the 105 temp in the cooling system, no wonder the plastic and rubber bits perish so easily. I don't know if BMW run the x40 engines at the same temp but certainly in the US where they have a lot more examples of this engine it seems to be guides go at 120k or not at all. It's a good idea to factor into pre emptive maintenance plans and wish I'd known about it sooner

That's why one of the best mods you can do to your Range Rover is the thermostat mod. I did mine and it sounded and felt so different, more relaxed if that sounds right.

Regards ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

I have the kit to do mine but didn't get around to it which is why mine blew its top hose off on Sunday on a dual carriageway and dumped all its coolant out and went home on a lorry ..,.,