{"product_id":"bmw-s50-timing-chain-tensioner-11311405081","title":"BMW S50 Timing Chain Tensioner - 11311405081","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBMW S50B32 Timing Chain Tensioner \/ Upgrade — 11311405081\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain proper timing chain tension and reduce unwanted timing chain noise with this \u003cstrong\u003eBMW Timing Chain Tensioner\u003c\/strong\u003e, originally designed for the European S50B32 engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing chain tensioner maintains pressure against the timing chain guide rail, keeping the chain properly tensioned as the engine operates. As a tensioner wears, it can lose its ability to maintain adequate pressure, allowing excessive chain slack that can result in \u003cstrong\u003estartup rattle, timing case noise, accelerated guide wear, and potentially serious timing problems\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBMW part number \u003cstrong\u003e11311405081\u003c\/strong\u003e features an updated design and is also commonly used by BMW enthusiasts as a timing chain tensioner upgrade on several earlier BMW engines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacement engine timing chain tensioner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginally designed for the \u003cstrong\u003eS50B32\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpdated tensioner design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintains proper pressure against the timing chain guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelps reduce excessive timing chain slack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommon upgrade for several older BMW engine families\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan replace the early mechanical tensioner on applicable M50 engines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBMW Part Number: \u003cstrong\u003e11311405081\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Does the Timing Chain Tensioner Do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tensioner applies pressure to the timing chain guide system to maintain proper chain tension throughout engine operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToo much slack allows the chain to move excessively between the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets. This can create noise, accelerate wear on the chain and guides, and in severe cases allow the engine to jump timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause timing chain tensioners can depend on the engine's lubrication system for proper operation, \u003cstrong\u003eengine oil level, oil pressure, and oil flow should also be checked when diagnosing timing chain problems\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Symptoms of a Failing Timing Chain Tensioner\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSymptoms can include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRattle on Startup\u003c\/strong\u003e — Chain slap or rattling immediately after starting the engine can indicate insufficient tension.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRattling or Clanking From the Timing Case\u003c\/strong\u003e — Excessive chain movement can create noticeable noise from the front of the engine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTiming-Related Fault Codes\u003c\/strong\u003e — On applicable engine management systems, excessive timing deviation may trigger camshaft\/crankshaft correlation faults.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExcessive Timing Chain Slack\u003c\/strong\u003e — A worn tensioner may no longer maintain adequate pressure against the guide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccelerated Timing Guide Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e — Excessive chain movement can place additional stress on timing system components.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePotential Engine Damage\u003c\/strong\u003e — If an interference engine jumps timing far enough, piston-to-valve contact and major engine damage can occur.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUpdated S50B32 Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tensioner was originally designed for the \u003cstrong\u003eEuropean-market S50B32\u003c\/strong\u003e, but its updated design has made it a popular upgrade for several earlier BMW timing systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnthusiasts commonly use this tensioner as an alternative to the original tensioners found on:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS50B32\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS38B36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS38B38\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly \u003cstrong\u003eM50\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly \u003cstrong\u003eM50TU\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe updated design can provide improved operation and service life compared with some of the older tensioner designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly M50 \/ M50TU Upgrade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tensioner can also be used on applicable \u003cstrong\u003eM50 and M50TU engines produced before approximately 09\/1994\u003c\/strong\u003e as an upgrade over the original mechanical-style timing chain tensioner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes it a popular preventative-maintenance upgrade for early E34 and E36 M50-powered BMWs, particularly when the timing system is already being serviced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePrimary Factory Fitment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBMW \u003cstrong\u003e11311405081\u003c\/strong\u003e was originally intended for the \u003cstrong\u003eS50B32\u003c\/strong\u003e engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChassis\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eModel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"right\"\u003eYears\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEngine\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM3 3.2 Coupe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1995–1999*\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS50B32\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM3 3.2 Sedan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1996–1998*\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS50B32\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM3 3.2 Convertible\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1996–1999*\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS50B32\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*European and other non-North-American market applications. Production dates and market availability vary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Upgrade Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tensioner is also commonly used as an upgrade or retrofit on applicable:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChassis\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eModel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEngine\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE34\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS38B36 \/ S38B38\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE34\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e520i \/ 525i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly M50 \/ M50TU*\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e320i \/ 325i \/ 325is\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly M50 \/ M50TU*\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*For applicable M50\/M50TU engines produced before approximately 09\/1994. Verify your engine's production date and existing tensioner configuration before ordering.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Retrofit Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe S14, S38, and early M50\/M50TU applications are \u003cstrong\u003eenthusiast retrofit\/upgrade applications\u003c\/strong\u003e, not necessarily the original factory application for BMW part number 11311405081.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend verifying compatibility with your specific engine and timing system before using this tensioner as a retrofit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHearing a Timing Chain Rattle?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA worn tensioner is one possible source of timing chain noise, but it isn't the only one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're hearing a loud rattle from the timing case, replacing an old tensioner is a good place to start. If the noise remains afterward, the \u003cstrong\u003etiming chain, guide rails, sprockets, and other timing system components should be inspected\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon't assume a new tensioner will compensate for worn or damaged timing components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Proven Upgrade for Older BMW Timing Systems\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're replacing the original tensioner on an S50B32 or upgrading the older design on an S14, S38, or early M50 application, BMW \u003cstrong\u003e11311405081\u003c\/strong\u003e provides an updated solution for maintaining proper timing chain tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a relatively small component with an extremely important job: \u003cstrong\u003ekeeping your timing chain where it belongs.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OE Supplier","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43217722081374,"sku":"11311405081","price":149.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/0845\/3982\/files\/bmw-timing-chain-tensioner-11311405081.png?v=1787781163","url":"https:\/\/vanosrebuildkits.com\/products\/bmw-s50-timing-chain-tensioner-11311405081","provider":"VANOS Rebuild Kits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}