Usual N47 cam chain failure - pics
Discussion
My '57 320d E91 shat itself in June, I've just got it back a couple of weeks ago. The garage were in the middle of moving premises but I think they also didn't advise properly on the engine.
I was doing about 45mph when I lost all power, had to roll into a drive. The engine kept trying to restart with the stop/start tech, did it about 5 times then gave up. Was towed home and called my indy. They advised the camchain and arranged pick up.
He said cost would be £950 if I'm lucky, about £1500 if more work had to be done.
When he said the car was done for £950 (plus £40 for an alternator he had fitted as mine was showing 0 volts output) I arranged to go and get it. It broke down 100yds away! I walked back and he couldn't believe it. Turned out to be the battery so I agreed to an Exide to be fitted for £160 (Heavy duty cos of stop/start).
When I called to pick it up there was a knocking injector. Fixed that then a lower end knocking.
Turned out the engine was fubar'd and he should have told me to scrap it I reckon.
He did it all labour free and I had to pay another £450 for a totally reconditioned engine. Crank grinded, block and head machined, the lot.
It has done 125k miles. Oil gets changed very 8-10k miles but I've only had it from 78k.
Oh, and he said from the evidence inside the engine, the camchain has let go before... There were old whip marks.
These are the casings on the crank. The bits were in the oil bath.
I was doing about 45mph when I lost all power, had to roll into a drive. The engine kept trying to restart with the stop/start tech, did it about 5 times then gave up. Was towed home and called my indy. They advised the camchain and arranged pick up.
He said cost would be £950 if I'm lucky, about £1500 if more work had to be done.
When he said the car was done for £950 (plus £40 for an alternator he had fitted as mine was showing 0 volts output) I arranged to go and get it. It broke down 100yds away! I walked back and he couldn't believe it. Turned out to be the battery so I agreed to an Exide to be fitted for £160 (Heavy duty cos of stop/start).
When I called to pick it up there was a knocking injector. Fixed that then a lower end knocking.
Turned out the engine was fubar'd and he should have told me to scrap it I reckon.
He did it all labour free and I had to pay another £450 for a totally reconditioned engine. Crank grinded, block and head machined, the lot.
It has done 125k miles. Oil gets changed very 8-10k miles but I've only had it from 78k.
Oh, and he said from the evidence inside the engine, the camchain has let go before... There were old whip marks.
These are the casings on the crank. The bits were in the oil bath.
That looks a right mess! 
But it makes me glad I sold my 123d with an N47 engine at 81K miles before it grenaded.
Still you got it fixed for way less than BMW were charging when they first started letting go - someone actually scrapped his 120d when his chain let go because he was getting quoted more than the car was worth.
But it makes me glad I sold my 123d with an N47 engine at 81K miles before it grenaded.
Still you got it fixed for way less than BMW were charging when they first started letting go - someone actually scrapped his 120d when his chain let go because he was getting quoted more than the car was worth.
Mr Tidy said:
But it makes me glad I sold my 123d with an N47 engine at 81K miles before it grenaded.
I admire your perseverance, but you've admitted previously your old car still hasn't grenaded. You might as well say you sold it before it got hit by an asteroid. OK more chance of a chain failure than being hit by an asteroid, but still small odds.smashy said:
Methinks its time to sell on..
It's 13 years old. You take your chances, and it's worth not-a-lot anyhow. Not like it's a week outside its warranty.Edited by BFleming on Sunday 6th September 21:51
smashy said:
The turbo will be the next thing to go.....as i say time to get rid
Turbo was replaced two years ago. Been A1 since.Funnily enough, there were some 'warning' signs the day before. It just didn't 'pick up' properly when accelerating. Like it feels someimes if a vacuum hose is leaking.
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