Hey guys, im pretty worried about this issue that just came up about two days ago. The engine developed a knocking sound at idle and lower rpms. It honestly sounds like its coming from the Vanos/Timing Chain area. The car strangely doesn't seem to have lost any power and feels perfectly fine with NO engine light or warnings. I haven't done any service to those parts at all since ive owned the car. The car is a 2004 530i e60 auto with the m54 engine. Its my daily that i never beat on and always changed oil with 0w-40 mobile 1 synthetic. Bought it with 100k miles and now its at 160k. The noise seems to be inconsistent as well meaning it'll be a louder knock then a quiet one and then no knock sound for a second. Any ideas?

https://www.reddit.com/link/dygdnh/v...ia2lz31/player

 

It sounds like a tensioner or pulley issue.

 

Im starting to believe that it might be the upper secondary chain tensioner. I just replaced the lower tensioner spring and gasket yesterday and doesnt seem to have changed anything.

Ordered the upper chain tensioner and the chain guide that goes directly below it from fcpeuro. Hopefully this fixes my issue cause i have no clue what else it would be. Is the upper chain tensioner a common part to fail?

 

What is your oil change interval?