Timing chain weakness

[bearman68]

I have changed the chain in an N47 engine. It's not as bad (to do) as people make out, though the engine has to come off the box, and is therefore as easy to remove. But it is a straight forward removal process. I removed it because one of the swirl flaps let go. (at about 180k to be fair). I'd certainly invest in a swirl flap removal day. I haven't heard anything good about these on any engine (Fiat, BMW, etc).

[iSore]

bearman68 said:

I have changed the chain in an N47 engine. It's not as bad (to do) as people make out, though the engine has to come off the box, and is therefore as easy to remove. But it is a straight forward removal process. I removed it because one of the swirl flaps let go. (at about 180k to be fair). I'd certainly invest in a swirl flap removal day. I haven't heard anything good about these on any engine (Fiat, BMW, etc).

Good effort.

My local specialis does them with the engine in on a manual but finds it easier with the engine out on an auto for some reason. The swirl flap thing is interesting - did one come loose? I only ask because the N47 has the Ford style set up where the flaps are on a common shaft (skewer/kebab style).
When the chains are all and they should be, the N47 is a great engine. I know of one with 200k in an E60 520d taxi, just had its first new turbo.

[stuart-b]

smashy said:

recalls for 2007/2009 cars only which was more of the farcial situation

Sorry I don't follow

[24lemons]

I test drive it a second time and had my local mechanic give it a quick once over and he said it sounded absolutely fine so I've gone ahead and reserved it. He was very reassuring and the dealer is willing to provide an extended warranty to cover it.

[smashy]

stuart-b said:

Sorry I don't follow

good luck lemons 2012 you should be fine my friend

Stuart a few years after so many cars scrapped BMW deemed there WAS a problem but for 2007/9 cars only which is so wrong

[bearman68]

iSore said:

bearman68 said:

I have changed the chain in an N47 engine. It's not as bad (to do) as people make out, though the engine has to come off the box, and is therefore as easy to remove. But it is a straight forward removal process. I removed it because one of the swirl flaps let go. (at about 180k to be fair). I'd certainly invest in a swirl flap removal day. I haven't heard anything good about these on any engine (Fiat, BMW, etc).

Good effort.

My local specialis does them with the engine in on a manual but finds it easier with the engine out on an auto for some reason. The swirl flap thing is interesting - did one come loose? I only ask because the N47 has the Ford style set up where the flaps are on a common shaft (skewer/kebab style).
When the chains are all and they should be, the N47 is a great engine. I know of one with 200k in an E60 520d taxi, just had its first new turbo.

To be fair, I'm an auto electrician, and started with spanners, so I have a fully equipped workshop at my disposal, inc a 2 post lift, and a massive pit. And an occasionally friendly engine builder who helps us out.
The swirl flaps are as you say - the kebab type. In my particular case, the shaft broke, and the No3 flap went through the No2 piston. Strange I thought.

[iSore]

They're generally better than the old style, but the N47 flaps suffer exactly the same type of failure as the 2.0 Ford Zetecs did in the 2000 onwards Mondeo. The shafts (brass I think) wears in the plastic manifold , jams and then snaps. They also wear out the front of the manifold where the actuator fits, leading to pressurised charge escaping and boost reduction and EML light on. Removing the lot and blanking the holes at both ends is the way forward.