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