p0011, noise, engine falling apart?

fmugur · #1 03-10-2011, 01:41 PM

I always thought this wasn't going to happen to me and I used to skip the threads about noise and chain/tensioner replacement.

Yesterday morning, I got a weird noise coming from the engine but not very loud.
So I parked the car back in the garage and used the other car. Last night I started the engine and the noise wasn't there anymore... for a few minutes. Then all of a sudden the noise increased to a level where I thought the engine will fall apart or explode. Tracing the noise it seems like it's coming from the left side of the engine. I used carsoft and another code reader and I get p0011 and p0491. I suspect the tensioner is the culprit and chain makes the noise. This morning the noise was there right from the start.

It looks like what I was afraid of did happen. I am not a mechanic so I am not sure I can fix it this time. Can you please tell me how to diagnose this problem. How much an indy shop would change for this?

Sponsored Links

fmugur · #2 03-10-2011, 06:19 PM

Should I try to replace the tensioner or it's too late now. Last weekend I replaced the oil pan and I didn't see any plastic pieces in there. There might be now though...

Zulu95 · #3 03-10-2011, 06:56 PM

The codes indicate the following:
p0491 Secondary Air Pump
p0011 Cam position sensor

The secondary air pump can make a lot of noise.
Before you go tearing down the engine check what the codes mean, which items are listed as possible problems and repair/replace as necessary.
If you cannot do this then take it to somebody who can. I would look on realoem.com for the problem items indicated, see if they are things you can work at and go on from there.

fmugur · #4 03-10-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulu95

The codes indicate the following:
p0491 Secondary Air Pump
p0011 Cam position sensor

The secondary air pump can make a lot of noise.
Before you go tearing down the engine check what the codes mean, which items are listed as possible problems and repair/replace as necessary.
If you cannot do this then take it to somebody who can. I would look on realoem.com for the problem items indicated, see if they are things you can work at and go on from there.

The air pump is outside of the engine and the very bad metal noise I am pretty sure it's coming from the inside left. I was thinking the p0491 comes up because the timing is not right since the chain is loose. I checked some other threads and some relate the p0011 code with the timing chain.

TwinTurboGTR · #5 03-10-2011, 07:15 PM

Both of those parts are easily accessible. The cam position sensor sits directly below the valve cover and connects to the black electrical box on top of the intake. And the secondary air pump sits to the left, behind the bumper. The air box needs to be removed in order to have enough room to take the unit out.

fmugur · #6 03-10-2011, 11:15 PM

I check the air pump and no noise coming from there. How do I test the camshaft sensor sensor? By replacing it? I went to an indy shop and explained what happened. The guy said that the camshaft adjuster is the culprit. I mentioned the chain tensioner and he was 99% sure is the camshaft adjuster. It seems to be a job as big as replacing the chain. He said 5 hours or so of work. What do you guys think? what's your experience with this adjuster?

Nik · #7 03-12-2011, 09:42 AM

chain can get loose, or jump some legs. I didn't have to get my chain changed, just adjusted timings. also you can check Camshaft sensors by switching them around.

fmugur · #8 03-19-2011, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the tips. I need more HELP!!! I changed the chain tensioner (the spring in it was dead) and the metallic noise went away. I switched the camshaft sensors around and I even used a new one and that didn't help. I don't know what to do next other than taking it to a shop and I DO NOT trust them. The indy said that the camshaft adjuster is the problem but I never found a thread on that so I assume it's not a common problem. Where should I look, what's the next test I should do? It sounds like timing issue as Nik said. The chain might have jumped a leg. How to I adjust the timings. I clear the codes but P0011 stays.
Here is the noise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acMq0ujcsEQ

fmugur · #9 03-21-2011, 05:56 PM

Guys,
I have done more research and it looks like it could be two possible causes for this problem:
1. the chain jumped a tooth
2. the VANOS solenoid is not working

Now, for cause 1 I have to take the entire front down and do the timing. So, for this procedure I have to find a honest mechanic.
For option 2 I guess the front does not have to come off but how do I test to make sure the solenoid is actually not working. Not sure if I am right though but that's based on the reading I have done so far.
here is the pdf I was reading:
http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/Tab_4_M62_Engine_X5.pdf

Nik · #10 03-21-2011, 07:08 PM

My vanos rattle is almost just as loud as yours, although it doesn't have that specific noise to it. Well I do not know which it could be, but one thing I know about Timings is that when they get messed up, you loose power... Your car pulls less with low power and goes realy good with High Rpms, or, the other way around. I mean it's not stable, the throttle that needs to be applied...

Sponsored Links