{"product_id":"bmw-upper-timing-chain-guide-11311703717","title":"BMW Upper Timing Chain Guide - 11311703717","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBMW Upper Timing Chain Guide \/ Tensioner Rail — 11311703717\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplace a worn or brittle timing chain guide with this \u003cstrong\u003eBMW Upper Timing Chain Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e, also commonly referred to as the \u003cstrong\u003etiming chain tensioner rail\u003c\/strong\u003e. BMW part number \u003cstrong\u003e11311703717\u003c\/strong\u003e is the \u003cstrong\u003elonger of the two upper timing chain guide rails\u003c\/strong\u003e used on many BMW inline-six engines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing chain guides keep the chain properly aligned as it travels between the camshaft sprockets. While timing chains are designed for long service life, the plastic wear surface on the guide rails can become brittle, crack, or wear down after years of heat cycles and engine operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the plastic surface deteriorates, the timing chain can develop excessive movement and may eventually contact the metal portion of the guide. This can create significant \u003cstrong\u003erattling or clattering from the timing case\u003c\/strong\u003e and, if ignored, can contribute to timing chain damage or loss of proper engine timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're performing a timing chain or VANOS service on a higher-mileage BMW, replacing aging guide rails while the engine is already apart is highly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBMW Upper Timing Chain Guide \/ Tensioner Rail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBMW Part Number: \u003cstrong\u003e11311703717\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLonger of the two upper timing chain guide rails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuides and supports the timing chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks together with the timing chain tensioner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelps maintain proper chain alignment and tension\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacement for worn, cracked, or damaged original guides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended during timing chain and VANOS service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Does a Timing Chain Guide Do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing chain must follow a precise path around the engine's camshaft and crankshaft sprockets. Timing chain guides keep the chain properly positioned while helping control vibration and excessive movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plastic wear surface also helps reduce the mechanical noise naturally produced by a chain-driven timing system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the plastic ages, it can become brittle or wear through. Once this happens, the chain may begin moving excessively or contacting surrounding components. The tensioner can only maintain proper chain tension if the guide rail it acts against is still in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Symptoms of a Worn Timing Chain Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRattling or Clattering\u003c\/strong\u003e — A worn guide can allow the timing chain to move excessively and create noise from the timing case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStartup Rattle\u003c\/strong\u003e — Timing chain noise may be especially noticeable immediately after starting the engine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVisible Guide Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e — Plastic surfaces may be grooved, cracked, broken, or completely worn through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlastic Debris in the Engine\u003c\/strong\u003e — Pieces of a deteriorating guide may break away as the plastic becomes brittle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngine Misfires or Timing Problems\u003c\/strong\u003e — Severe chain movement can affect proper camshaft timing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHard Starting or Stalling\u003c\/strong\u003e — If the chain slips far enough, engine timing can be significantly affected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePotential Engine Damage\u003c\/strong\u003e — A failed guide can contribute to excessive chain slack or timing chain derailment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEngine Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBMW \u003cstrong\u003e11311703717\u003c\/strong\u003e is used on applicable versions of several BMW inline-six engines, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM50TU • M52 • M52TU • M54 • S52\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFitment varies by engine and production date, particularly on early M50 applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBMW Fitment Guide\u003c\/h2\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\u003e320i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1994–1995\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM50TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e325i \/ 325is\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1994–1995\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM50TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e323i \/ 323is\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1998–1999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e328i \/ 328is\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1996–1999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1996–1999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS52\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE34\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e525i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1994–1995\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM50TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE39\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e528i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1997–2000\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52 \/ M52TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE39\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e525i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2003\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE39\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e530i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2003\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE46\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e320i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2005\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE46\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e323i \/ 323Ci\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1999–2000\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE46\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e328i \/ 328Ci\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1999–2000\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52TU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE46\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e325i \/ 325Ci \/ 325xi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2006\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE46\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e330i \/ 330Ci \/ 330xi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2006\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE53\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eX5 3.0i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2001–2006\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE83\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eX3 2.5i \/ 3.0i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2004–2006\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\/7 \u0026amp; E36\/8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZ3 2.3 \/ 2.5 \/ 2.8 \/ 3.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1997–2002\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM52 \/ M52TU \/ M54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE36\/7 \u0026amp; E36\/8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZ3 M Roadster \/ Coupe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e1998–2000\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS52\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE85\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZ4 2.5i \/ 3.0i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"right\"\u003e2003–2005\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Early M50 Fitment Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFitment on M50\/M50TU engines varies by production date. Based on the application information, this guide is used primarily on \u003cstrong\u003elater M50TU applications around the 1994–1995 model years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Verify your production date and original guide configuration before ordering for an early M50-powered vehicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended During VANOS \u0026amp; Timing Service\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're already removing the VANOS unit or servicing the timing system, take the opportunity to inspect the timing chain guides carefully. These engines are now old enough that even guides with relatively low mileage can suffer from \u003cstrong\u003eage and repeated heat-cycle deterioration\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new tensioner cannot properly control the timing chain if the guide it presses against is cracked, excessively worn, or damaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a complete timing system refresh, we recommend inspecting the \u003cstrong\u003eupper timing chain guides, upper timing chain tensioner, primary timing chain tensioner, chain, sprockets, and related VANOS components\u003c\/strong\u003e while everything is accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBMW Part Number: 11311703717\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OE Supplier","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43217866489950,"sku":"11311703717","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/0845\/3982\/files\/bmw-upper-timing-chain-guide-11311703717.png?v=1787782217","url":"https:\/\/vanosrebuildkits.com\/products\/bmw-upper-timing-chain-guide-11311703717","provider":"VANOS Rebuild Kits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}