E46 Touring camchain issue?

[anonymous-user]

2002 e46 330i auto sport touring with about 80k miles recently developed strange sounds under the bonnet that can only be likened to cambelt type noise except that I am assuming that my car has chain rather than belt

Wondering what the noise can be and whether its normal given vintage and mileage and what causes could be

cheers

[E30M3SE]

Your car does indeed have a timing chain.

The VANOS unit is also mounted at the front of the engine so if the noise is coming from this area it could be VANOS related.

[bazking69]

I have no idea what a cambelt type noise is supposed to be, but I'd check the water pump as they tend to give up the ghost at about the 80k mark and they start squeeking/rattling as the bearing disintegrates. Easy enough fix luckily if it is that.

[phelix]

Seconded for the water pump - my E46 328i had a noisy pump as well. Easy check - use a spanner (17mm?) to slacken the drive belt tensioner and see if there's any play in the water pump pulley. There should only be a whisker.

[Targarama]

Are you sure it is not coming from the DIS flap on the inlet manifold? They get rattly between 60 and 80k.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks gents. To be more specific the sound is a little like tappets... it could be that the sound is more pronounced when engine is cold...