1999 540i valve noise

[snitzer]

I'm helping a buddy with his 540i... it's been parked for a while with a bad water pump. We replaced it.. all went well... it had a little valve train noise which i attributed to it sitting for about a year. it now has a lot... no warning lights, etc are present car starts and runs fine. Fluid levels are good.

I've searched online and am coming up with a lot "Vanos unit" stuff. As I understand it , this is usually not an issue with the 540i's.

Has anyone run into this?

Thanks

here's a short video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2EJQSuDqS0

[Car Addict]

drop the pan if you see plastic bits (which i can almost guarantee you will) you need to replace the timing chain guide rails, approx. a 10-12 hour job if you know what you are doing.

[snitzer]

thanks... i'll jump down that rabbit hole.... and i don't know what i'm doing so it will take a 3 day weekend and a keg of beer ...

[Car Addict]

^ pretty much; if you do go that route be sure to do the oil separator while you are in there.