Hi all, I recently purchased a beautiful 2011 L322 Supercharged. Single Owner, Dealer maintained, in very good shape. The previous owner has not had the timing chains serviced and I am hearing some sort of rattle from the engine bay and cannot pinpoint whether it is the supercharger coupler, timing, or something else. Hoping for some help or advice as members of the forum would have much more experience than me with these cars.

There is a rattle on acceleration, and when cruising at low speeds there is an intermittent chirping almost as though there's birds in the engine bay. The car puts power down smoothly and if I give it the beans it takes off. There is a leak in the valve cover gaskets and the speedometer shows that the oil level is at the halfway mark. When I turn off the car after a 20+ minute drive, there is a short rattle that occurs as the engine shuts off (Lasts for 1 second as I press the start/stop button to turn off the engine).

A local indy diagnosed it as a timing chain issue just by hearing it for a few seconds without even properly checking. I have checked part of the timing chain through the oil cap, the chain is as tough as concrete absolutely no play or slack whatsoever. Dealer informed me that this is one of the few VINs that was not affected by the recall, oil was changed roughly every 10-13k KMs (6-8k Miles). Coupler was never replaced.

Could this be from the Supercharger Coupler or is it a Timing-related issue? Could it even be something else like the leaking valve covers and the engine oil level being at the halfway mark? Car is mint other than that and I am finding it hard to believe that the (tightly tensioned) chains and kit are worn as the car has never been abused, and I am not hearing any noises like rocks bouncing in the engine.

Highly appreciative of any insight or advice regarding this issue and I have attached a link to a short clip of the engine noise when idle.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Pb_nqu0UFQ4

That is the loose timing chains based on the sound, sounds like a farm tractor/diesel truck. The age of the engine also is one of those engines that if it hasn't been done, then you should, personally I would not risk the possible chance of slippage.
I have seen these bad guides and tensioners on 2013 engines.

Yes Jofo, engine sounds really loud like a tractor. Car is driven 156k KMs (97k Miles). I know the diesel-like noise is usually indicative of bad chains/guides but could it not be caused by anything else? Just want to make sure I am not getting scammed or ripped off by mechanics.

Evening

I would say that definitely sounds like timing chains, I would drive gentle and get sorted asap.

Yep, sounds like the chain has jumped one cog, any more and it could grenade the engine....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks for the replies, will get chains sorted and update this thread within the next few days on whether my issue was solved or not. Hoping it is just the chain kit and nothing else

Good luck, you wont believe the difference in noise when done.

Thank you, the support is much appreciated! '11 L322 5.0 Supercharged - Bournville
'09 L320 4.2 Supercharged - Cairns Blue
'09 L320 4.2 Supercharged - Zermatt Silver
'05 L322 4.4 HSE - Alveston Red

Other things to do while it is stripped down include hoses in under and around the supercharger. you can get the supercharger overhauled and change the injectors. Do a search, loads about it on here....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-