New t-chain tensioner is lazy?

[sennasixty8]

Ok,

I know this has been discussed to no end, but I had what sounded as a tensioner starting to fail, and replaced it with the new updated m44 version (febi/bilstein) brand.  Installed it unsprung, as discussed in many threads.  

I now have a fairly noisy (stone cold startup) chain rattle, and decided to pull the valve cover and inspect.  

Sprockets look perfect, rails look great, and chain is in very good shape as well, with no signs of slapping the v/cover or timing chain case.  

Now.. I'm thinking I have a lazy tensioner, since the noise goes away after warm up (3-5 mins) or normal driving.  

Letting the car sit for 10-15 mins yields this noise again (not as severe, but noticable) upon start up.  

This engine has been over maintained since new by the PO, and I have buckets of records.  It's lived on 1040 and 2050 redline oil since 36k miles.  

I'm getting ready to order an OEM Genuine BMW m44 tensioner, since this one seems a little notchy and lazy.

How smooth did your (new) tensioner move in and out ?

[colin86325]

Are you sure it's not the valve lifters bleeding down?

[sennasixty8]

I am 100% sure, I have had that issue on another m42 car, and this sound is totally different.  

Anyone else with a lazy and/or notchy tensioner out there in m42 land?

Are you sure it's not the valve lifters bleeding down?

[sheepdog]

Could be low oil pressure or poor lubrication for some reason.

Try different weight oils, it may or may not help.
I found certain oils made mine more noisy on startup as well.

[sennasixty8]

oem tensioner went in yesterday, and was alot quieter.  not totally silent on start up, but less noisy.  

I went thru 2 aftermarkets (febi/bilstein) in which one was completely exploded in the box, staining the box in came in.  This new one from bmw is bathed in oil, carefully sealed in its own bag, with oil resistant install instructions wrapped around it.  

The two tensioners are identical visually, and have a somewhat notchy feel.  

I plan to play with oil weights, but this car has been running on 2050 redline synth almost its ENTIRE life.

[PumpItUp]

i bought this
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=11-31-1-743-187-M40&catalog_description=Chain%20Tensioner%20Piston%20for%20Timing%20Chain%2C%20E30%20318i%20M42%2C%20318iC
(Ina M44 chain tensioner) for $47

and they sent me a Febi Bilstein :confused: so i shoved it in. now its even louder that it was before. maybe getting rid of chain noise made the ticking seem louder, i don't know. my question is, theres this:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=11-41-1-706-809-M9&catalog_description=Chain%20Tensioner%20Spring%20for%20Timing%20Chain%2C%20E30%20318i%20M42%2C%20318iC
just the spring for $5.

are the tensioners not all the same on the outside? if so in the future could i buy just that spring and shove it in the febi? i've never seen a dis-assembled tensioner kit, its just a spring & some oil right...

[PumpItUp]

i should of ordered from
http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-parts.aspx#Category
11-31-1-743-187
11-41-1-706-809

but pelican has fastest/cheapest shipping
of the wrong part ._.

[sennasixty8]

the first is a m42/44, the second for a e39 6cyl, is that number recommended, or just a common x-ref ?