Discussion
Hi wondering if anyone out there can help me with some info on my car I have a chuff noise only slight but am worried that it is the timing chain I do and dont mind having to get it done but isnt the chain suppose to last the lifetime of the engine? I'm sure it's the n47 engine and there prone for the chain but the service has been done at
14k bmw
33k bmw
49k bmw
82k bmw
110k bmw
116k
117k
123k
Last 3 services wasnt done by bmw but oils ect were changed nothing of a chain replacement tho thruout the services it's now on 127k so needing a service pretty soon I'm not 100% on the chuffing noise being the chain until I have it looked at but from my own 2 day research I can put a 50% on it that it is the chain and was just wondering if I will get charged the full whack for the timing chain to be done at bmw itself reason I ask if because the rumours that the chain should last the lifetime of the engine if serviced well enuf and shouldn't break and a possible goodwill from bmw on the cost may be a option do you think I'll have any chance when phoning them with the service history I have with the vechile?
14k bmw
33k bmw
49k bmw
82k bmw
110k bmw
116k
117k
123k
Last 3 services wasnt done by bmw but oils ect were changed nothing of a chain replacement tho thruout the services it's now on 127k so needing a service pretty soon I'm not 100% on the chuffing noise being the chain until I have it looked at but from my own 2 day research I can put a 50% on it that it is the chain and was just wondering if I will get charged the full whack for the timing chain to be done at bmw itself reason I ask if because the rumours that the chain should last the lifetime of the engine if serviced well enuf and shouldn't break and a possible goodwill from bmw on the cost may be a option do you think I'll have any chance when phoning them with the service history I have with the vechile?
Ryanbmw123d said:
Hi .
Thanks for responding promptly I will also add that I noticed is a smell n hot air blown thru the cabin on start up and after lifting the bonnet after hours drive there was small amount of smoke coming from round the engine area would this indicate injector seals?
When my Citroen C3 diesel injector seal failed, you could see diesel on the underside of the engine cover, where it was spraying upwards.Thanks for responding promptly I will also add that I noticed is a smell n hot air blown thru the cabin on start up and after lifting the bonnet after hours drive there was small amount of smoke coming from round the engine area would this indicate injector seals?
I bought a 57 plate 123d in January 2008 and it had the N47 engine, but got full BMW SH.
1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.
To be honest I think at your mileage you'd be lucky to get anything out of BMW if it all went wrong - but you never know.
1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.
To be honest I think at your mileage you'd be lucky to get anything out of BMW if it all went wrong - but you never know.
Mr Tidy said:
I bought a 57 plate 123d in January 2008 and it had the N47 engine, but got full BMW SH.
1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.
I wondered how long it would be. 1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.

Touring442 said:
Mr Tidy said:
I bought a 57 plate 123d in January 2008 and it had the N47 engine, but got full BMW SH.
1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.
I wondered how long it would be. 1st at 18,080 miles, 2nd at 36,776, 3rd at 54,678 then 4th at 73,531 - all by Sytner FWIW.
Then I read about cam-chain issues and sold it on 81K miles before it borked itself.

The only time I've ever had to replace the timing chain on a BMW was this year, on my 114i (N13B16 petrol engine shared with the 116i and 118i). That car had a full BMW service history, 66,000 miles only, and a very noisy chain. They're known for it, and I wish I'd known beforehand & bought (you guessed it) the N47 diesel engined one.
Ryanbmw123d said:
Just an update I have a leak of white/blue smoke coming from drivers side of the engine that I cant pin point it does look a little oily down there mabey rocker cover gasket ?
I'd go with someone who knows these engines to look at it (like a specialist); otherwise you're paying for your jack-of-all-trades mechanic to learn about these engines. Better to start with someone who knows what he's looking at.Edited by BFleming on Tuesday 27th August 15:27
Ryanbmw123d said:
Turns out the smoke was coming from small oil deposit out the breather hose crankcase side due to seal split anyone else ever experienced this problem it's not smoking now but may come back I have replaced it with a new hose
That sounds like great news - I hope the new hose solves your problem. I sold mine in 2014, which was before BMW started their "Quality Enhancement" programme - i.e. before they started picking up the costs. If that had been in place I might have kept it, because in every other respect it was a great car and I'd had it since it was just 3 months old!
Yes it's not smoking now which is a relief I started to think it was coming from a turbo charger as one is just below this breather hose I still have a slight chuffing noise almost like there is air leaking it's so hard to explain the noise if u was to sit there (sad i no) and make a choo choo noise like a trian that describes it best! 😂🤔 the choo choo noise goes when under acceleration weather it's there and u cant hear because the diesel engine noise itself over powers it or its just on idle I dont no but my opinion is it's not there when under acceleration only on idle one garage said it doesn't sound or look like anything is wrong with it! BMW is where I will be taking it next just to get resolved incase it causes further issues if left.
Ryanbmw123d said:
BMW is where I will be taking it next just to get resolved incase it causes further issues if left.
Mate, it's an 11 year old car with a good few miles on the clock. I know I'm repeating myself - find a specialist, before parting with your hard earned money. A main dealer is the last place I'd bring your car. Or mine.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


