So I have been searching all over the internet for a DIY or Girls Guide and can't find one. I am getting the annoying and scary ticking sound from my R53. When I start the car it rattles a bit, but even after it is warm I hear it. It is very apparent when I'm stopped or moving at lower RPMs, like in a parking lot. When the revs get past 3000 it disappears until they fall again. It does sound like a lose chain sometimes.

After lots and lots of research, at home and on lunch breaks, I decided to try fixing by:

Oil change is full synthetic 5w-30 and 1 QT Marvel Mystery Oil
Timing chain tensioner
Serpentine belt
Another full oil change and tensioner 2500 miles later.

I have noticed the tensioners helped and still do once the car is warmed up, but I am still hearing the noise. I have read that the guides can be bad and figured, since the car is at 133,000 miles I will just change the chain too. Does anyone have experience getting to the guides and chain? Any advice would help, pictures especially. I have ordered a Bentley guide, but it won't be here before this weekend.

Thanks in advance

 

Are you manny or auto? Manuals tend to have clutch chatter because of the dual mass design.

 

Also. I have the Bentley guide and timing chains seem more complicated than one would wish for in the book. I don't mind tearing half the front and apart but once timing is played with... Whew! I've pulled apart small-er engines and put them back together but there's no chains and only one cylinder.

 

It is a manual transmission. I'm not super excited about jumping in there, but I'm going to need to replace it or things will be a lot worse.

 

Does sound go away when you depress clutch?

 

No, the sound stays even when the clutch is pushed in.

 

Certainly sounds like timing chain. Best of luck.

 

Thank you. I was hoping more people had experience changing guides or the chain lol.

 

It doesn't seem too bad from all the posts and videos I've seen. Its just patience and being careful not to spin the gears out of timing. Also, make sure that you get ALL of the old guides out.

 

I'll make sure to check around for the guides. Thanks for all the help and insight!