Replacing VANOS seals, what else while in there?

[bubba966]

Doing the VANOS seals & rattle fix from Beisan Systems on my friend's '95 525iT shortly and am wondering what all should be replaced during the VANOS removal & re-install? Don't want to have her car tore apart for days while waiting on a part we need that we should've had before we started...

[yaofeng]

The VANOS cover gasket, for lack of a better term,
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_525i/DSC_6756.jpg

and the chain guide plus tensioner, if you are so inclined.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_525i/DSC_4823.jpg

[bubba966]

How big of a pain is it to replace the guide & tensioner? Do the tensioners crap out in M50B25TU's? I know the S38 tensioner doesn't last, but haven't heard any of the other tensioners used in E34's to need replacing frequently.

Her 525iT has like 160k miles or so on it as I recall.

That guide is plastic though, right? I can see replacing that, especially since it's only $16 or so.

[yaofeng]

If I remember correctly there are two parts, the top and the bottom both have plastic guide. Tension is provided by the top part. I did a few years ago it is much easier than fitting the VANOS back in. You install the tensioner with a pin in place and pull it after the chain is fitted.