BMW 520d F10 (2011) - Another Post linked to timing chains
BMW 520d F10 (2011) - Another Post linked to timing chains
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msymonds

Original Poster:

2 posts

152 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Hi All,

First post ever - but use the information on these forums alot, it's great to have access to so much information/ experience and opinion smile

I'm just after some opinions really as you only have what I have written here to go by - I am trying to work out if I am being paranoid (my wallet is starting to shake!) or if in your opinion I am headed into a large bill?

In 2014 I bought a 2011 BMW 520d SE - it's been faultless over the last 4 years and is now close to the 115,000 mile marker. Its not a hugely exciting car but has taken me and the family on some long journeys (600 miles through France and back) in a really relaxed easy manner (nightmare getting in and out on the ferry though) and I've really appreciated it for that.

Over the last few weeks however on startup I am getting the dreaded timing chain rattle - it is very clattery for roughly the first 3 seconds from when the engine is first started then it seems oil gets into the tensioners and the noise is gone.

After a journey and the engine is warm I am listening intently for more chain noise, but it's difficult to hear anything over the cacophony of shakes and rattles (I think the engine is quite gruff at tickover). I can definitely hear the timing chain in the overall orchestra of sound but it's not chattery like some of the U-Tube vids.

The car has (roughly) 12,000 mile oil changes with the BMW long life oil as I dont like the thought of running up to 20,000 miles between services but I can't imagine at the start of it's life this was the case as it was an ex-company car prior to my ownership.

What are other peoples experiences? Is this possibly the beginning of my troubles or have you had similar experiences and 'x' months/ years later still have no trouble.

I am particularly conscious of this given the location of the timing chain and I dont know that I want to re-invest in the car to the tune of having chains/ guides/ tensioners etc changed

smashy

3,108 posts

189 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
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This thread relates to your year 2011 ish PUMa is a word for a type of upgrade of parts

I dont think they snap at your year just noise. Maybe find out if yours has had this puma upgrade?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

smashy

3,108 posts

189 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
This a 2012 car http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45004

The last post "Just took my 2013 120d (~37k miles) to the dealers because i could hear a faint "swish swish" sound under idle. It was of course the timing chain and BMW is going to change all the parts and pay the expenses 100%. It was a nice gesture as the car has already run out out of warranty a year ago.

So it seems the problems is still there also in these "newer" cars. " unquote

Edited by smashy on Sunday 10th June 20:56

Elliot2000

786 posts

207 months

Tuesday 12th June 2018
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U can change the top tensioner quite easy and it’s only a £30 part from bmw. Might be worth doing as the newer tensioner are slightly longer.

You can do it from the engine bay too, no need to climb under the car

dmarkovina

639 posts

114 months

Tuesday 12th June 2018
quotequote all
Long term fix would be to fit revised parts - including new thicker chain - not cheap. Also adding Ceratec may help with the chain drive.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

I would also cut oil intervals to half of what the board computer says (adding Ceratec with every oil change - regardless of the 30k miles claim).

msymonds

Original Poster:

2 posts

152 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Thanks all for your replies, it's greatly appreciated and given me some options to look into