bmw timing chain problem

bmw timing chain problem

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Discussion

hogdog

Original Poster:

2 posts

89 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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hi do the bmw 1seris have timmig chain problems

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I don't know about the petrol models, but the diesels with the N47 engine (facelift 118d, 120d and 123d) certainly do!

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Yes, petrols do too, the 4 cylinder N46, N43.

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Make sure you change the oil every 12 months it should be fine

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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helix402 said:
Yes, petrols do too, the 4 cylinder N46, N43.
It's a £1,000+ job at a specialist. Don't ask me how I know.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Craikeybaby said:
It's a £1,000+ job at a specialist. Don't ask me how I know.
Count yourself lucky you had the chance my engine was wrecked and bmw didn t want to know.

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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helix402 said:
Yes, petrols do too, the 4 cylinder N46, N43.
Do you think it is down to poor maintenance, a design flaw or both? Would regular servicing get around it? I know I've seen a few with timing chain issues.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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SebringMan said:
Do you think it is down to poor maintenance, a design flaw or both? Would regular servicing get around it? I know I've seen a few with timing chain issues.
sebring ive done so much research on this ,deffo a design fault and they kept putting in fixes right up to 2012 I believe certainly 2011 ,when I bought my 330d the service manager said off the record its only now(2014) that I would spend my own money on an N47 engine.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Re the petrols I think the failures are due to a combination of factors. A weakish timing chain, extended service intervals, wrong spec oil/cheap filters.

BMW did introduce a modified tensioner which helps if fitted early enough. The timing chains can last well. I used to service one 320i, the owner had annual oil changes and I fitted a modified tensioner-no probs on that one.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Craikeybaby said:
It's a £1,000+ job at a specialist. Don't ask me how I know.
It's not that much. Catch it before the guides break up (thus avoiding very boring sump removal) and it's about £650-700 all in.The Febi chain kit is £120 and it's 4/5 hours labour.

N43's are much worse than the previous N46 and N42 - they really are a disaster area to the point where some BMW main dealers won't retail them as an AUC.

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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iSore said:
It's not that much. Catch it before the guides break up (thus avoiding very boring sump removal) and it's about £650-700 all in.The Febi chain kit is £120 and it's 4/5 hours labour.

N43's are much worse than the previous N46 and N42 - they really are a disaster area to the point where some BMW main dealers won't retail them as an AUC.
Going by Helix's and smashes' reply where the former has fixed a few cars in the past the Febi kit sounds like a risk and a pricey way to keep a problem too. I only say that as I am aware on other cars of issues with pattern parts and how they are made (I sell them from time to time). After all, as long as it lasts 12 months for the warranty...

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Mr Tidy said:
I don't know about the petrol models, but the diesels with the N47 engine (facelift 118d, 120d and 123d) certainly do!
That is why I sold my 123d at 81K miles before it blew up and turned to scrap before the factory "Quality Enhancement" B*llocks!

Just in case you couldn't tell I'm not a big fan! laugh

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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From what my independent told me one problem with the N47 chain guides is the lubricating holes get clogged up with carbon deposits that form with old burnt oil. Regularly changing the oil at least every 12 months goes a long way to to stop the carbon deposits forming. So my F11 will get changed every year.

I bought my F11 5 Series from a dealership and the car has a service pack, now my car is just over 3 years old and it’s only had one oil change and it’s not due for either 4 k miles or March 18 for its next one, which to my mind is not good. I took it to my Indy a week into ownership for a oil service and it will get another one in 4K miles. It has to be the right thing to do and it’s only £100 at my Indy.

Edited by hilly10 on Wednesday 22 November 06:48

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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The thing to remember is that it is in BMW's interests to give long service schedules. As far as they are concerned they need to ensure the car is cheap to run in as many ways as possible before the warranty runs out or the company car users stop using them. After that it's not their problem.

The fact that company car policies put in harsh criteria for using the cheapest fuel source possible also probably doesn't help.

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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iSore said:
Craikeybaby said:
It's a £1,000+ job at a specialist. Don't ask me how I know.
It's not that much. Catch it before the guides break up (thus avoiding very boring sump removal) and it's about £650-700 all in.The Febi chain kit is £120 and it's 4/5 hours labour.

N43's are much worse than the previous N46 and N42 - they really are a disaster area to the point where some BMW main dealers won't retail them as an AUC.
Mine was caught before it broke up.

AllyBassman

779 posts

111 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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It doesn't worry me too much, oil is changed every 10k and I keep an ear out for the tell tale signs.

As always, the internet makes it seem worse than a problem than it is. How many N47 engines are trundling up and down the motorways every day? How many of those have had problems? I wouldn't expect a high precentage at all.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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... and watchdog .....a design fault handled very badly by BMW

bmwmike

6,918 posts

107 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Does anyone know of any six pot petrol timing chain issues? I once replaced a tensioner spring on a very leggy m52tu but it was far from problematic. Probably a placebo tbh. What about later 6 cylinder like the n53? Same era as n43 but presumably a different chain setup? I know the two engines share the same injector challenges.


helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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I have never heard of timing chain problems on the petrol 6s. Apart from one E34 M5 which I saw with a stretched chain.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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SebringMan said:
Going by Helix's and smashes' reply where the former has fixed a few cars in the past the Febi kit sounds like a risk and a pricey way to keep a problem too. I only say that as I am aware on other cars of issues with pattern parts and how they are made (I sell them from time to time). After all, as long as it lasts 12 months for the warranty...
The Febi kits are OE. Same chain (Jwis), same guides with the BMW roundels carefully ground off, ditto the plunger. It's the same as fitted originally but 1/3 of the price.

Beware cheaper Lucas boxed kits - now they are junk.