1998 328i E36 - Troubleshooting (VANOS / Vacuum Leak)

Hey guys,
I'm new the the e36, and bmw's in general and even newer to the forums. I bought a 98 328i in August at 150000km and all I've changed is the alternator, spark plugs and fluids. The car ran sluggish before the alternator swap and then had great power, but recently has lost the power and strange noises have begun. First off I took a couple videos,



* Only the first 30 seconds of this are worth watching. The audio is horrible but it sounds just as bad in real life.



at about 20 seconds I hold the RPM at 3000 to emphasize the fluttering sound, which is worse when in gear and decelerating.

I've hooked up a OBD and checked the computer and apparently all the sensors report regular levels. I poked around the engine bay to look for leaks but couldn't see anything. All the fluids are still at good levels.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Nice looking car mate, I got a 97 328i with 150K miles (not KM), and I have a clicking or perhaps ticking sound, only after the vehicle is warmed up and going real slow or at a stand still. It is even around when the engine is not running but all the lights are. It is like click....(wait 3-5 secs) and click again, and so on.

I thought it might be this (and perhaps this is your problem too?), you might want to take a stethoscope to the engine (thats what I read, never tried it mind you):

From: http://jackassofalltrades.com/ticker.html



But then I noticed that the valve simply does not exist on my car Wonder if I should get one?

Don't know much, but do know this: the sound drives me batty!

At this point I am certain I have a combination of two problems that are annoying but not horrible, I think my timing chain tensioner needs replacement and I may have to have a full vanos rebuild but other than that an intake vacuum leak is my best guess.