Noisey M62/TU-3.5Ltr in a 2000iL, 170k's

[johnythefish 1]

Ah Ah; I'm very new to this website, and have just found the right section to ask my first question, I took the above mentioned car for a test drive last Sunday. The car hasn't had a lot of use lately, it was parked in a yard, I was standing buy the drivers door when the seller started the motor....it did sound a bit "harsh" on start up, but wasn't to worried about that, it certinally didn't sound as bad as when I returned back after a 20min or so drive. I was about to make an offer, when I heard this hell of a noise from the motor, the best description I think would be it sounded like a diesel. I'm pretty sure I would have heard it, if it was that noisey when I backed it out (of a reasonably tight area) when the motor was cold.

I have been looking at getting anouther seven series, so have done a lot of on line research, and looked/driven a few of them lately. At that point, I lost all intrest and came back home

After doing a bit more reseach, from what I gather it could be cam chain guides/vanos or both....or if I'm dead lucky maybe a oil change and a good trashing. I normally do all repairs/maintenance on all the vehicles I've ever owned (+ the families) These one is a bit spooky though, if I need any special tools etc. So after a few stiff ones sent the seller an email, with what I thought was a silly offer, and she has accecpted it. I have been advised by a independant bmw agent, NOT to drive it all the way back from Auckland to Tokoroa, so have had a quote to get it transported down here (which is very reasonable) I would then plan to remove sump first, and hopefully find no plastic bits in the pan.

The weird thing is (as I remember) is it didn't sound too bad when it was cold, has anybody got any suggestions/ideas. Anybody had the same problem? I really do like the car, and its interior colour scheme, but also don't want to loose too much $$$. Am prepared to do a vanos or cam chain guides job maybe.

Just as note the present owner has looked after the car, and spent quite a bit on maitenance over the years I hope that kiind of makes sense, I know its a bit of a gamble.....but I just love this particular car, and her indoors is slowly getting the hump over this. Cheers in advance, John

Edited December 9, 2013 by johnythefish

[hybrid 1039]

The initial rattle is just lack of oil in the head and caused by the remote oil filter housing not sealing properly and oil draining from the head. Easy fix with the correct installation of a new oil filter.

The next could be a few things. The chain guide wear out in these engines after about 170000ks give or take 10-15k.

I would try to find out when the last oil change was done on the thing and more importantly .. open up the cap and dip stick and check the oil .. is it gluggy or milky .. EG degraded or moisture has built up in the oil.

The oil channels may have had a blockage.

Is the car noisy on idle hot ?

I would get a pre purchase inspection done by one of the specialists around. There are tell tail signs on the M62tu motors when you scan them with live data when things start to wear out.

[johnythefish 1]

Hi; noisey idle when hot. Unable to check oil filler cap etc as were about 3hrs away, thanks for you help