[evas10n]

I was changing my oil pan and I noticed that the end of the oil pump chain guide was cracked off. Everything looks fine. I am guessing the pan touched it when it was coming off and cracked it some how.

Does anyone know how hard it is to replace just guide? Does it require taking off all the timing chains?

I am leaning towards leaving the cracked one in since it is just the end part that doesn't even touch the chain. See the pictures attached. The only peice that is broken off in the small circle end (circled in blue).

Sorry I actually already put some of the oil pan back and didn't get a good picture.

Thoughts? Can't find much on this.

[evas10n]

So i was able to buy a new one and slip it on without taking all the timing chains off. Tight but possible if this happens to anyone... Big relief

You have to take off the freeze plug to get to the top of it...

A couple of pictures of it broken and the process of taking it out






All fixed!

[tlow98]

Wow, you re-did the oil pan procedure huh? Props on the effort!

Not surprised to see the chain wear - known to happen on many other BMWs, as well.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Not surprised to see the chain wear - known to happen on many other BMWs, as well.

What chain wear? I thought the issue was just a cracked chain guide? My understanding is that isn't a common failure on the E90... (the E39 M62TU is another story)

[hassmaschine]

the chain on my 280,000 mile parts motor looks new. the guides have hardly any wear. it probably just broke off when it was hit by the oil pan, like the OP suspected.

[evas10n]

Yea, I am not sure when it broke. The chains look good.

I just couldn't sleep with my self with it broken in the engine like that. I really didn't want to mess with the timing chains because its a PIA and they where in good conditions. Lucked out by being able to fit in the chain guides without taking anything else off.

Maybe its just me but dropping the subframe wasn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

What chain wear? I thought the issue was just a cracked chain guide? My understanding is that isn't a common failure on the E90... (the E39 M62TU is another story)

Meant to say chain guide wear. I've not seen many N52 issues, but then again I haven't seen many people look. On other BMW motors, a la S54, M62 it's a pretty regular albeit mostly harmless occurrence.

[e90gene]

The same thing happened with me during the oil pan gasket replacement. Were you able to buy just a plastic piece itself as I am seeing that it comes as an assembly (part # 11317523884) only? How did you slip it on? I am thinking of doing this and would like to know more details before taking the pan out.

[Boland01]

Good move on changing out the guides. Worse case scenario if you didn't it could have broken into pieces, clogged the oil pump strainer, caused low engine pressure and damaged your engine.

How do I know that? Happened on our old E36 car. We had to completely tear down the motor put in new bearings, crank and one camshaft. All for a $20 piece of plastic.

[Spitzenpradator]

I'm running in this exact problem right now... I broke the end of the rail while taking out the oil pan... The fix seems feaseable in place ... Thanks guy