M30 chattering in front of engine

[Garageaholic]

There's this chattering sound in the front of the engine that I can't pinpoint where it's coming from. Here's what I have deduced it to....


1. not the belts
2. thought it was the coolant pump, so disconnected the belt and it still made the noise....
3. it gets worse as the engine warms up. doesn't do it when it's cold.


Could it be the distributor/rotor?

It seems to be RPM dependent, so i'm thinking it could be the timing chain.. or the tensioner bolt... Any thoughts?

[Garageaholic]

bump

[Garageaholic]

Bump, and lol no i'm not trying to rack posts

[Garageaholic]

bump

[E30/M30]

Just a guess but you could have a broken chain guide ? If you have had the head off did you prime the chain tensioner ?

[bumpstop335i]

a bearing?