11-28-2020, 04:20 PM | #1 |
Private First Class
32
Rep 160
Posts |
That annoying N20 diesel sounding rattle.
About 9 months ago I retired my 2007 328i E90 (300k+ km) and bought a 2013 320i F30 with 90k km.
While I was in the process of shopping around for a replacement car at the end of last winter I did notice the rattle on several of the 320i's that I test drove but figured it was something normal and common to the N20 engine that would go away after the car warmed up. I went ahead and bought a 320i... the rattle persisted even thru the summer. Yes, mybad for dismissing it and now it annoys the f*%# out of me. A couple of people have asked me if it's a diesel engine. I've been doing some reading and it seems to be one (or more ?) of 3 issues... they all claim that theirs was the real cause of the rattle. 1. A noisy injection pump solenoid on the fuel rail (worn or missing dampener on the rail?). 2. A worn linkage on the turbo wastegate actuator motor (replace the whole motor + linkage assembly). 3. A worn flapper disc (wastegate ?) inside the exhaust manifold (replace the manifold). Anyone care to comment ? What was your fix ? Thanks in advance. Alex in Toronto |
12-01-2020, 12:03 PM | #3 | |
Second Lieutenant
64
Rep 259
Posts
Drives: 2017 320i xdrive
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: NJ
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 07:13 PM | #4 |
Private
47
Rep 99
Posts |
I have a N26, bought with 42k and it sounds like a diesel. Asked my local Indy about it and they let me start a few n20's and n26's in the lot, they all sounded like it. Disconcerting when your used to super quiet Honda's and whatnot but I'm used to it and kind of dig it now.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 09:44 PM | #5 |
Petrolhead
1942
Rep 3,521
Posts |
Yup. The N20/26 engines have bad clatter. Definitely diesel-ish. I've had people ask me if it was a diesel car! Thankfully they've fixed it with the B46/48 engines.
__________________
Current:
2020 BMW 330i xDrive 2018 Audi SQ5 Prestige 2017 Audi A7 Prestige |
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 10:13 PM | #6 |
Major
362
Rep 1,407
Posts
Drives: 13' F30 328i 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NJ
|
My 2013 N20 w/107k miles is noisy, My B46 x3 is much quiter.. Its mostly the wastegate rattle. Pretty sure if you replace the turbo alot of the noise will go away, There is videos on why this happens.
Theres many others
__________________
'13 F30 328i Sport 6MT | '18 G01 X3 xDrive30i | '95 E36 325i Vert 5MT
92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread 89 E30 325is [sold & missed] |
Appreciate
0
|
12-02-2020, 12:28 AM | #7 |
David
786
Rep 2,010
Posts |
I had my turbo assembly replaced (with EWG), the noise is still there. I also had my timing chain replaced, noise is still present. It's just a loud clattery engine, even when new.
I owned a 328d and it almost sounded quieter IMO. It sounded like a diesel but very muffled and refined.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-02-2020, 01:59 PM | #8 | |
Major
362
Rep 1,407
Posts
Drives: 13' F30 328i 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NJ
|
Quote:
__________________
'13 F30 328i Sport 6MT | '18 G01 X3 xDrive30i | '95 E36 325i Vert 5MT
92 Sentra SE-R SR20DET DET Build Thread 89 E30 325is [sold & missed] |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-03-2020, 07:30 AM | #9 |
First Lieutenant
34
Rep 356
Posts |
i have to agree... I have a 340i and I just picked up a 2012 320i for a winter beater (has 185k KMS on it, and the clatter is horrible. I drove one at the local dealership with 90k kms on it, same thing. Maybe I was just spoiled by the b58 for so long that it enhances the clatter for me.
__________________
2016 340i | M-Sport | Mineral Grey | Coral Red | Bone Stock
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-03-2020, 12:49 PM | #10 |
Major
467
Rep 1,055
Posts |
Worn linkage and wastegate rattle is easy to tell. Only thing you have left is perhaps switch to a higher weighted oil (didn't work for me) OR replace your HPFP (maybe 140 part but you need a tool to bring the car to TDC)
__________________
MY13: TTE400 Stage 2 turbo, Spec Single Mass flywheel + Stage 3+ Clutch, FTP V2 Turbo Inlet, Evolution Racewerks Charge pipe + Boost pipe + Intercooler, Turbosmart Recirculating Diverter Valve, aFE grill scoop + aFE Magnum Force Cold Air Intake, B58 coil retrofit, eBay Downpipe, Active Autowerke muffler, DW400 LPFP, B58TU HPFP, M5 s63TU injectors, Bimmermilvs, e80 tune by Navardi Tuned. 380 whp/360 wheel torque stock block
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-05-2020, 12:48 AM | #11 |
David
786
Rep 2,010
Posts |
I forgot to mention I ALSO had my HPFP replaced, hahahaha. It's just all noisy.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-05-2020, 08:56 AM | #12 | |
Private First Class
32
Rep 160
Posts |
Quote:
I haven't had a chance to make a recording but it's present all the time. No vibration. It sounds like this is something I need to learn to live with, or try to get rid of the car. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-05-2020, 09:02 AM | #13 | |
Major General
2465
Rep 5,457
Posts
Drives: F30
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Stevenson, WA
|
Quote:
I wouldn't describe it as a rattle though. Thought you might be experiencing something different. I sometimes notice more of a rattle and vibration when initially shifting the car into drive. Same thing on the other N20 I owned before my current one. Have never been able to track down the issue. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-05-2020, 10:25 AM | #14 | |
Lieutenant General
8216
Rep 16,054
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-05-2020, 10:57 AM | #15 | |
Private First Class
32
Rep 160
Posts |
Quote:
I had been thinking about this before and it actually makes more sense to me than a worn turbo wastegate actuator arm and/or bypass flap in the exhaust manifold. It's a very consistent cyclical sound like a sticky or collapsed hydraulic lifter in the valvetrain. The turbo wastegate does not get activated in a manner that would sound so consistent although it may rattle in unison with blasts of exhaust gases. Still, I'm more inclined to lean in the direction of it being the injectors. Mine is pretty noticeable even with the hood closed and obviously worse with it open. So no resolution for this ? I wonder if attempts to dampen the sound from resonating across the fuel rail would help ? Last edited by radeohedca; 12-05-2020 at 11:38 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|