Question about Silver Thing in Engine - United Bimmer Community

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-24-2006, 06:30 PM

So yea I was curious, the silver thing in the front of the engine....what exactly is that, ya know near the radiator fani circled the pic of it.......like Mine is making kinda a knocking noise? so can someone plz explain what it is, what's in it, what it does. and how much it costs to replace. or why it may be knocking, not loud. just when i rev it. Sometimes....

witeshark · 08-24-2006, 06:59 PM

Not sure could be the timing chain cover. Maybe it's just loose

**Bimmer_5er** · 08-24-2006, 07:09 PM

Yes both the timing chain and the VANOS unit are both located in there. Maybe the chain doesnt have enough lubrication on it and is dry?? Im not really to sure. This kind of quetion is best answered by c1apton

**cabrit** · 08-24-2006, 08:01 PM

this engine model on the picture is the non vanos engine
if tis making noise in there it might be the timing chain or something related to the timing

**Dudesky** · 08-24-2006, 08:04 PM

Timing chain tensioner.

**xsperf** · 08-24-2006, 08:54 PM

yea, thats not your vanos, check the other thread where i posted a pic

**Rooz** · 08-24-2006, 09:38 PM

Yeap, yeap yeap, vanos and timing

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-25-2006, 12:44 AM

how expensive are those things to fix?

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-25-2006, 11:14 AM

and I notice it knocks def from there i checked, like after I rev the engine, it makes a knocking/vibration noise as it revs down from revving up. but it doesnt do it like ALL the time. im using max life sythetic oil btw if that makes a difference, but timing chain huh? i mean could a timing chain make that noise, and it's not something super serious like my pistons or cams making the knocking noise, or would i notice that more from up above the silver thing

**xsperf** · 08-25-2006, 11:18 AM

i would do as dudesky said, and make sure its ur timing chain is tensioned correctly, if you have a broken timing chain, trust me youd be in deep trouble....(and u dont)

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-25-2006, 12:11 PM

ah indeed, but I know pistons and cams and such can make knocking, but that'd be more towards the back of the engine, and alot louder i presume?

**Dudesky** · 08-25-2006, 12:29 PM

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...er-Upgrade.htm

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-25-2006, 02:21 PM

so thats prolly what it is, cause the sound is only normally as it revs down, and it's def coming from the silver thing, cause thats where it's the loudest. and thats where the chain is roight?

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-25-2006, 02:23 PM

anyone know how much parts may be for this?

**94bmw325i** · 08-25-2006, 03:14 PM

you checked your oil right. The other day my car ran out of oil completely so I fixed the gasket in the oil housing and now it knocks a bit when its idling.