[JoeyF30]

I agree with this. I'm closing at 128k same chain and guides. Long oil intervals and that stupid ASS is contributing big time to this chain failure.

[F30BimmerChris]

Yes, short oil change intervals 5-6k max, get rid of the stupid ASS, if you're worried about your fuel economy, just from personal experience, I've always got better MPG figures on normal drives than what's on the window sticker and that's with ASS off.
Some might agree or disagree but using a can of Liqui Moly Motor Clean every 30k before an oil change shouldn't hurt. My trust in the German oil company is high.

[Jessew73]

Just curious if anyone has seen a 320i with a timing chain failure? I have seen a lot of owners of X3 and 328i stating failures. I would also be interested in the number of X-drive Vs rear wheel drive failures?

[F30ed]

Well, over last years on this forum I saw pictures of engines with inside:
- thick layer of sludge and fully working TC
- surgically clean surfaces and and ripped TC

Go figure....

[F10Dan]

I’m stopping in from the F10 forum and am wondering what the intelligentsia thinks of my engine in the video below. Cam lobes resting allowing slack when cold? Lifters filled with oil after started thus tightening the chain? These items were discussed earlier in this thread. Thoughts are appreciated.

[meltbox]

So I remember reading this was normal however I have not observed it on my engine. Also that seems more loose than I would expect. Do you have a boroscope camera to look deeper?

Oddly sounds fine to my ear though so I don't know what to make of it. I'll see if I can get a video in the morning of my chain after sitting all night. If its lose I'll post for comparison.

[Jorjel]

My F10 N20 is doing exactly the same when cold. Will try it after running the engine few minutes to see if it stretches. I am just 3k km away from the canadian limit...will try changing it before costing me half of the car.

[jyle099]

Is it possible to get the new chain fitted into the older 2012 F30 models?

[jsouth]

Originally Posted by jyle099

Is it possible to get the new chain fitted into the older 2012 F30 models?

Yes. Mine is a 07/2012 build and I had the chain and guides replaced to prevent problems (I keep cars a long time).

[jyle099]

Originally Posted by jsouth

Yes. Mine is a 07/2012 build and I had the chain and guides replaced to prevent problems (I keep cars a long time).

How much did the whole process cost?

[jsouth]

Originally Posted by jyle099

How much did the whole process cost?

About $2700 USD at an indy shop. Oil pump chain, timing chain and guides.

I investigated the cost of trading up to a newer 328i and I couldn't get it to be cost effective so I had the parts replaced.

[MilanF30]

I would do the same, at least you know that you have new parts... trading for newer car with same engine... risky... who guaranties it won't blow up

[kevinofeville20]

I've been worried about the timing chain in my car and as of right now I sit at 108k miles. I have a 2015 328i and just did a oil change in the car today. Checked under the oil cap to see what color my guide is and it looked pretty dark orange in color. I've put a few mods in the car like a gfb dv+ valve, an mst inlet pipe, injen intake and mishimoto catch can. I haven't had any unusual whining or whirring sounds but I tend to drive the car pretty aggressively some days. I had a mechanic say that timing chains should be replaced at least every 100k. Is there any truth to that? Should I be looking at replacing my timing chain? Appreciate the help.

[Slick_FThirty]

Originally Posted by kevinofeville20

I've been worried about the timing chain in my car and as of right now I sit at 108k miles. I have a 2015 328i and just did a oil change in the car today. Checked under the oil cap to see what color my guide is and it looked pretty dark orange in color. I've put a few mods in the car like a gfb dv+ valve, an mst inlet pipe, injen intake and mishimoto catch can. I haven't had any unusual whining or whirring sounds but I tend to drive the car pretty aggressively some days. I had a mechanic say that timing chains should be replaced at least every 100k. Is there any truth to that? Should I be looking at replacing my timing chain? Appreciate the help.

I thought the advantage and purpose of a timing chain vs a timing belt was that the chain does not need to be replaced for the life of the car. Although BMW also advertises this, we know this is not true for affected N20s. However, it is because of a flawed design and/or subpar manufacturing, and not a fact of timing chains.
Your car is likely not affected given its year, and probably has the updated parts. All plastic guides are originally white, and become the caramel colour due to oil saturation, heat etc.
Check for slack and whine, otherwise I see no reason to change.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by kevinofeville20

I've been worried about the timing chain in my car and as of right now I sit at 108k miles. I have a 2015 328i and just did a oil change in the car today. Checked under the oil cap to see what color my guide is and it looked pretty dark orange in color. I've put a few mods in the car like a gfb dv+ valve, an mst inlet pipe, injen intake and mishimoto catch can. I haven't had any unusual whining or whirring sounds but I tend to drive the car pretty aggressively some days. I had a mechanic say that timing chains should be replaced at least every 100k. Is there any truth to that? Should I be looking at replacing my timing chain? Appreciate the help.

If you keep acting nervous and asking indy's these questions... your going to get exactly what you deserve... which is being told what you want to hear and your money taken. Happens every day, nothing personal.

If your car was built after 02/2015 then you have the new components. Period end of story.

Check your build date and move on.

Also- any mechanic who tells you that you should change your timing CHAIN every 100k is a thief.

[CandyRedRC46]

Originally Posted by sspade

If you keep acting nervous and asking indy's these questions... your going to get exactly what you deserve... which is being told what you want to hear and your money taken. Happens every day, nothing personal.

If your car was built after 02/2015 then you have the new components. Period end of story.

Check your build date and move on.

Also- any mechanic who tells you that you should change your timing CHAIN every 100k is a thief.

I'm pretty sure +2015 n20's have failed as well.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by CandyRedRC46

I'm pretty sure +2015 n20's have failed as well.

Not according to BMWtechnician.com

He specifically states he has not seen a revised components vehicle fail.

That being said, I wouldn't say it impossible just highly unlikely.

I personally haven't see any reports of 2015+ vehicles on this forum but again, that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

[m95roadster]

About 2 years ago I brought the car in to the dealership because of a whine when cold. I was told the noise is normal, but my HPFP and wastegate was noisy so those parts were replaced. However, the whine did not go away so I just ignored it because the dealership said the noise was normal.

Fast forward to 2020. So I decided to finally check my timing chain for slack with a cold engine. The chain has a lot of slack and the guide rails move a lot too. I know the chain might have some slack because the tensioner has no oil pressure, but is it normal for the guide rails to have this movement also? Video below...

2012 F30 N20 w/56K miles

[sspade]

@m95roadster

That does move a bit much. Id be concerned. You should do a comparison video after a drive (with oil warm).

Of course, let it cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your finger.

Interested to see if it still moves that much when warm.

[JoeyF30]

Does not look normal, looks like you have an N20 with this issue. I would get it fixed or sell the car. You're passed the 7 year mark.

[SubSeven00]

Hi Guys,

so I was reading in alot of platforms regarding the N20 timing chain and oilpump chain issues, because I am also an owner of an 328i F30 with this motor. I already let the the oilpump chain renewed because of some hauling noice before 1 year. Interesting is that actualy I hear some sorring noise inside the car when accelerating - best between 2000-3000rpm.

Did anybody else had some similar symptoms? There is no hauling, it is just like a sorring noise which bring me headache. Best to hear at 00:30 in the video.

Any advice?

https://youtu.be/HCeal1wyLR8

[meltbox]

Originally Posted by m95roadster

About 2 years ago I brought the car in to the dealership because of a whine when cold. I was told the noise is normal, but my HPFP and wastegate was noisy so those parts were replaced. However, the whine did not go away so I just ignored it because the dealership said the noise was normal.

Fast forward to 2020. So I decided to finally check my timing chain for slack with a cold engine. The chain has a lot of slack and the guide rails move a lot too. I know the chain might have some slack because the tensioner has no oil pressure, but is it normal for the guide rails to have this movement also? Video below...

2012 F30 N20 w/56K miles

I don't think that's supposed to move at all. Should be held to the block with bolts rigidly afaik.

EDIT: Actually there is a park that pivots not sure if that is the part.