[kerny7678]

05/2015 build date, 90k miles, subbed. Not an engine problem yet. Chain a little shiny but not as bad as others.

[QUiKSR20]

Man im nervous, 97k miles... Owned car since 40k and have done 6500k OCI w/ Liqui Moly since owned. Im getting a whining oil pump sound until the oil warms up but then it goes away. I have no metal clatter and the car revs smoothly. From some threads ( ill post below ) even if you change the pump and guides you may still get this noise and also you could get this noise and never loose the motor or anything.

Threads -

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1349346 ( See post from David )

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1449980

So much conflicting info, Dealer says they are not aware of the issue but probably cause they deal with mostly cars under 50k miles.

[obert]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Man im nervous, 97k miles... Owned car since 40k and have done 6500k OCI w/ Liqui Moly since owned. Im getting a whining oil pump sound until the oil warms up but then it goes away. I have no metal clatter and the car revs smoothly. From some threads ( ill post below ) even if you change the pump and guides you may still get this noise and also you could get this noise and never loose the motor or anything.

Threads -

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1349346 ( See post from David )

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1449980

So much conflicting info, Dealer says they are not aware of the issue but probably cause they deal with mostly cars under 50k miles.

The dealer is lying to you lol

If they are a BMW dealer I guarantee they have heard and even dealt with this before. I was told the same thing and they looked at my car and told me nothing was wrong but they did say as I was leaving that they have dealt with it before after I said I don’t drive my car hard. They said that doesn’t seem to matter because they replaced one that an old lady had been driving since new.

[kerny7678]

If the chain is truly stretched and on its way out, I imagine a whining sound will be present if the engine is warm or cold. Is this true?

[RMachuca3d]

Originally Posted by kerny7678

If the chain is truly stretched and on its way out, I imagine a whining sound will be present if the engine is warm or cold. Is this true?

yes.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by RMachuca3d

yes.

My noise is pretty much non existent when the cars warm, Car revs out smooth and through the oil cap the chain feels tight ( Not that its a technical test ) but if i push on it hard its tight.
So im not really sure if its cause for concern, Its definitely not normal for this whine but in those posts above people are saying the whine will occur in 50% of N20s and that its a metallic
sound that means ( FIX ASAP or PAY ).

[floridaorange]

Sub’d.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by obert

The dealer is lying to you lol

If they are a BMW dealer I guarantee they have heard and even dealt with this before. I was told the same thing and they looked at my car and told me nothing was wrong but they did say as I was leaving that they have dealt with it before after I said I don’t drive my car hard. They said that doesn’t seem to matter because they replaced one that an old lady had been driving since new.

Old lady....that means ASS and long OCI. Car probably never see much HWY workout and spend its life putting around town.

[gzN26]

I had an issue with my fuel system and had to replace the high pressure pump and control module at 90k. When my car was in the shop (not BMW dealer) they let me know there was some slack in my timing chain and recommended replacement to prevent further damage, blah, blah,blah.....quoted me just under 2k. I have since installed an injen intake at 95k and my car runs extremely smooth.

Do you all think this is a real issue or are mechanics trying to capitalize on risk. I get my car checked every 5k miles and no mechanic has mentioned anything about the TC until now. What are some thoughts?

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by gzN20

I had an issue with my fuel system and had to replace the high pressure pump and control module at 90k. When my car was in the shop (not BMW dealer) they let me know there was some slack in my timing chain and recommended replacement to prevent further damage, blah, blah,blah.....quoted me just under 2k. I have since installed an injen intake at 95k and my car runs extremely smooth.

Do you all think this is a real issue or are mechanics trying to capitalize on risk. I get my car checked every 5k miles and no mechanic has mentioned anything about the TC until now. What are some thoughts?

You will hear the chains or the oil pump with your own ears... Easy to hear.

[F30lolz]

Just had an oil service on my 428 (01/15 built date) at my local dealer. Currently at 66k miles and they mentioned that the chain isn’t giving any symptoms. However, the assistant service manager told me to bring the car back in before I hit 70k miles and that they’ll change out the chain/guides/etc...

Not bad.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Just had an oil service on my 428 (01/15 built date) at my local dealer. Currently at 66k miles and they mentioned that the chain isn’t giving any symptoms. However, the assistant service manager told me to bring the car back in before I hit 70k miles and that they’ll change out the chain/guides/etc...

Not bad.

You're a lucky man, I'm glad they're helping you out.

[daredevil76]

Decided to bite the bullet and get my Timing chain assembly replaced for peace of mind. Wasn't having any issues at all - just that my motor usually sounded like a tractor (which I think is normal ?) - no whines etc. There is some play in the timing chain but I think people have indicated that under certain situations there could be some slack etc. Anyways - I have attached some pics of the process as well as the parts I bought

11317592850 - rail and guide assembly
11118618864 - front crank shaft seal
11317502048 - engine timing cover plug
11318648732 - timing chain
11317592877 - tensioner guide
11318685091 - timing chain tensioner
11417605366 - oil pump chain kit
11137627512 - oil pan gasket
11127588418 - valve cover gasket set
11117558632 x 2 - engine timing cover plug
11217614270 - vibration damper bolt
11137603830 x 2
11137603833 x 20
11427953125 - oil filter

My car is a 328 - 2012 model with 75,000 miles currently.

[kobluna]

Originally Posted by daredevil76

Decided to bite the bullet and get my Timing chain assembly replaced for peace of mind. Wasn't having any issues at all - just that my motor usually sounded like a tractor (which I think is normal ?) - no whines etc. There is some play in the timing chain but I think people have indicated that under certain situations there could be some slack etc. Anyways - I have attached some pics of the process as well as the parts I bought

11317592850 - rail and guide assembly
11118618864 - front crank shaft seal
11317502048 - engine timing cover plug
11318648732 - timing chain
11317592877 - tensioner guide
11318685091 - timing chain tensioner
11417605366 - oil pump chain kit
11137627512 - oil pan gasket
11127588418 - valve cover gasket set
11117558632 x 2 - engine timing cover plug
11217614270 - vibration damper bolt
11137603830 x 2
11137603833 x 20
11427953125 - oil filter

My car is a 328 - 2012 model with 75,000 miles currently.

Thanks for the detailed pics. I was surprised how much sludge you got in your valve springs I wonder how much I may have sludge as I have 108k miles on clock in 2014 320i. Did you found out any cracks in your old guides when you took them off? There have been some cases where guides were cracked even though there were no whine (yet).

[Luverse]

My local BMW dealer recommended to change the TC on 32k miles or 50k km.
The reason, they had experience that on arround 36k miles, the TC start to break or loosen, and causing the piston to crack, and overhaul is needed.

I don't know is this applicable to other places, but in my country, average road temperature is around 38C or 100F, and could even worse when there's traffic jam.

As my piston cracked due to over power and torque, and now undergo engine overhaul, they will change the TC as well. Currently my car clocked around 36k miles.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by daredevil76

My car is a 328 - 2012 model with 75,000 miles currently.

Out of curiosity what is your oil change frequency? That looks worse inside then my 25 year old E36 and my N20 looked brand new inside when I did a valvecover gasket at 100k miles ( 6k mile oil changes w/synth ). Either way please let us know if you notice a diff.

Originally Posted by Luverse

My local BMW dealer recommended to change the TC on 32k miles or 50k km.
The reason, they had experience that on arround 36k miles, the TC start to break or loosen, and causing the piston to crack, and overhaul is needed.

That is insanity, A timing chain change at 35k miles? Chains are not "Maintenance Item" and in past cars ive owned have gone 200k miles on stock chains including BMWs. My N20 has oil pump whine but the chains appear to be fine at 102k miles.

[F30ed]

Originally Posted by daredevil76

My car is a 328 - 2012 model with 75,000 miles currently.

Those pictures are alarming. Notice how internals are covered in dark red and sludge is present. There is/was serious problem with oil, not sure if coolant leak can do that.

Good news - even that lubrication does not cause chain failure, which again makes me think that oil changes have very little to do with chain problem.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Luverse

My local BMW dealer recommended to change the TC on 32k miles or 50k km.
The reason, they had experience that on arround 36k miles, the TC start to break or loosen, and causing the piston to crack, and overhaul is needed.

Well what in the actual f*$#? If a BMW dealer is recommending it to all their F30 clients, then why isn't BMW covering it?

[daredevil76]

I bought this car used at 95000 kms. I'm at 125000 km now and do my changes every 8000 to 10000 kms. The service by first owner was a little spotty to be honest and was told it was done based on whatever BMW recommended. * shrugs *. Car ran well when I tested it prior to buying and still runs smoothly.

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Out of curiosity what is your oil change frequency? That looks worse inside then my 25 year old E36 and my N20 looked brand new inside when I did a valvecover gasket at 100k miles ( 6k mile oil changes w/synth ). Either way please let us know if you notice a diff.



That is insanity, A timing chain change at 35k miles? Chains are not "Maintenance Item" and in past cars ive owned have gone 200k miles on stock chains including BMWs. My N20 has oil pump whine but the chains appear to be fine at 102k miles.

[Luverse]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

That is insanity, A timing chain change at 35k miles? Chains are not "Maintenance Item" and in past cars ive owned have gone 200k miles on stock chains including BMWs. My N20 has oil pump whine but the chains appear to be fine at 102k miles.

Yes, that's what my local BMW dealer said. I don't believe either.

I had E60 in the past and drove until 120k miles, and all is fine.

But now my N20 engine is undergo an overhaul, on 36k miles, so i asked them to change the TC.

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Well what in the actual f*$#? If a BMW dealer is recommending it to all their F30 clients, then why isn't BMW covering it?

I don't know mate. Feels like BMW dealer here is s*ht.
Previously, my brakepad still can cover around 8k km (i-drive shows the same), when i brought to BMW for periodic maintenance, the said it need to be change and insist on it.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by daredevil76

I bought this car used at 95000 kms. I'm at 125000 km now and do my changes every 8000 to 10000 kms. The service by first owner was a little spotty to be honest and was told it was done based on whatever BMW recommended. * shrugs *. Car ran well when I tested it prior to buying and still runs smoothly.

Glad it runs smooth and yeah BMW had 15k and later 10k Oil Change intervals so it makes sense... Do a liquimoly flush followed by ceratec and then 6500k oil changes and that will prob clean up pretty damn good.

Flush - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pro...ui-moly-lm2037
Ceratec - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/cer...ro-moly-lm3721

[BettyFkinCrocker]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Well what in the actual f*$#? If a BMW dealer is recommending it to all their F30 clients, then why isn't BMW covering it?

Dealerships make money off these services. As long as they can convince BMW it is neccessary, BMW pays the dealership to perform the work. So whether it actually needed it is irrelevant to them...it is (kind of) a common problem, so they justified it with BMW and got paid.

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Glad it runs smooth and yeah BMW had 15k and later 10k Oil Change intervals so it makes sense... Do a liquimoly flush followed by ceratec and then 6500k oil changes and that will prob clean up pretty damn good.

Ceratec is not a good idea. I don't have the links currently but feel free to crawl the oil guy forums. It's been proven to cause damage to seals and cylinder walls among other things. It has a specific use and our application is not one of them.