N20 / N26 Timing Chain Failure Log

Katty29sood · 10-09-2019, 11:11 AM

Hi, Planning to buy a 320i xdrive with 75000km, could you post your experiences regarding the timing chain issues near 100k? What would i need to keep in mind before purchasing.

Help will be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

redhat · 10-11-2019, 03:01 AM

Model: F31 2013 320i
Build: Munich, 06.2013
Mileage: 206k km
Timing Chain Status: No problems
Oil Changes: Every 10k km since 135k, before every 30k km
Stop/Start Status: Coded off at 135k km
Additional Details: Bootmod1 at 170k km

My local workshop recommends replacing the timing chain and inspecting the oil pump next week. Personally, I did't observe the symptoms described in the forum suggesting that the repair should be done (sounds, wear or stretching of the chain). Do you think that despite the lack of symptoms, I should replace the timing chain as a preventive measure because of the high mileage?

floridaorange · 10-11-2019, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katty29sood

Hi, Planning to buy a 320i xdrive with 75000km, could you post your experiences regarding the timing chain issues near 100k? What would i need to keep in mind before purchasing.

Help will be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Having it inspected first - pay the $150 to have it professionally looked at before buying.

Shri2222 · 10-11-2019, 03:25 PM

Mine just went, I got the whine. I have 20 days of the extended 7yr 70k mile warranty left and BMW is replacing the timing chain under warranty.

No codes, just sounded like it had a supercharger.

328 xdrive
Build 10/2012
N26
58,500 miles
Mobil 1 with BMW filter Oil changed every 7k
Mods bellow since 32,000 miles when I bought mine.
start/stop disabled since 32,000 miles

Solidjake · 10-11-2019, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shri2222

Mine just went, I got the whine. I have 20 days of the extended 7yr 70k mile warranty left and BMW is replacing the timing chain under warranty.

No codes, just sounded like it had a supercharger.

328 xdrive
Build 10/2012
N26
58,500 miles
Mobil 1 with BMW filter Oil changed every 7k
Mods bellow since 32,000 miles when I bought mine.
start/stop disabled since 32,000 miles

at it failing at that mileage and having S/S disabled. Good that you just got it in time...

Troy27 · 10-11-2019, 06:08 PM

It would be good to know also what climate everyone that is having the failures lives in. Really cold winter's might have an effect on the plastic guides...in my opinion

Shri2222 · 10-13-2019, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidjake

at it failing at that mileage and having S/S disabled. Good that you just got it in time...

Yea, I had a feeling it was going. I took it in once in February at 51,000 and they said it was good, but this time it was definitely bad.

Shri2222 · 10-13-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy27

It would be good to know also what climate everyone that is having the failures lives in. Really cold winter's might have an effect on the plastic guides...in my opinion

I'm in NC it's pretty hot here, but the car spent 45000 miles in NYC before I moved.

MilanF30 · 10-14-2019, 02:44 AM

At least you had a whining warring, it's not always a case.
Please vote if it's still available so we can have more precise results.

f30nick · 10-14-2019, 02:51 AM

75k miles getting low oil pressure warning, likely timing chain guides falling into the oil pan

floridaorange · 10-14-2019, 07:46 AM

Vs oil pump failure?

chipguy · 10-28-2019, 01:11 AM

I would change the guides if the chain is not stretched. The guide could be changed by removing the valve cover. Changing the chain would also include removing the oil pan which is a lot more cost/work.

jsouth · 10-28-2019, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipguy

I would change the guides if the chain is not stretched. The guide could be changed by removing the valve cover. Changing the chain would also include removing the oil pan which is a lot more cost/work.

I don't agree. You would need to remove the timing cover to replace the guides. If you're doing that, replace all of it. I don't buy the idea that the guides are at fault. I think the chain problem is breaking the guides, and catastrophic failure occurs soon after.

I see no future in just replacing guides.

andino · 10-28-2019, 04:39 PM

I noticed the timing chain whine during my track event over the weekend. I think in my case, its an oil starvation issue but the whine is super obvious. It sounds exactly like a supercharger whine. Just something to keep in mind for those who are tracking their cars and hear the whine under heavy braking or hard left turns.

chipguy · 10-28-2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsouth

I don't agree. You would need to remove the timing cover to replace the guides. If you're doing that, replace all of it. I don't buy the idea that the guides are at fault. I think the chain problem is breaking the guides, and catastrophic failure occurs soon after.

I see no future in just replacing guides.

Chicken or egg, it is hard to tell for sure whether the chain or the guides fail first.

Some have the dreaded whine, so this might indicate the chain. For others, absolutely no warning of any kind and my theory is the guides break first.

The N20 does not have a timing cover you can remove. Access is from the top and the bottom.

sspade · 10-29-2019, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsouth

I don't agree. You would need to remove the timing cover to replace the guides. If you're doing that, replace all of it. I don't buy the idea that the guides are at fault. I think the chain problem is breaking the guides, and catastrophic failure occurs soon after.

I see no future in just replacing guides.

Chicken or egg, it is hard to tell for sure whether the chain or the guides fail first.

Some have the dreaded whine, so this might indicate the chain. For others, absolutely no warning of any kind and my theory is the guides break first.

The N20 does not have a timing cover you can remove. Access is from the top and the bottom.

You believe you can change the guides from the top only... without removing chain?

I dont see how that would be possible.

chipguy · 10-29-2019, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

You believe you can change the guides from the top only... without removing chain?

I dont see how that would be possible.

I am sure because I just did it. This is one of the pictures from TIS

Also, included the link for the procedure.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...aft/1VncnN3x3P

MilanF30 · 10-30-2019, 03:56 AM

Wow, you did all this and didn't changed the chain? As i can see in the procedure, you'll need to split the chain.. I'm just curious why you did't change it, I guess the chain is the main reason guides are braking because it is stretching, and tensioner can't keep it tight anymore.

Thanks for the link for the procedure tho

chipguy · 10-30-2019, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilanF30

Wow, you did all this and didn't changed the chain? As i can see in the procedure, you'll need to split the chain.. I'm just curious why you did't change it, I guess the chain is the main reason guides are braking because it is stretching, and tensioner can't keep it tight anymore.

Thanks for the link for the procedure tho

I did not change the chain because 1. I have read the split chains are not very reliable 2. My chain is only stretched by a small amount. BTW my car has 85k miles and I changed the oil every 5k mlles.

I also installed the newer version of the tensioner.

sspade · 10-30-2019, 08:23 PM

@chipguy

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

How many of the BMW specialty tools did you actually require?

Estimated time to complete, taking your time?

chipguy · 10-30-2019, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

@chipguy

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

How many of the BMW specialty tools did you actually require?

Estimated time to complete, taking your time?

The only tool I bought is the timing kit, includes the tool that hold the camshafts and crankshaft. If anyone is interested, I am more than happy to sell it.

It took me about 15 hours. But I am super slow and careful. Using a torque wrench on many of the bolts. Screwing down the valve cover bolts half a turn at a time etc. I believe this is less than 5 hours for an experienced professional mechanic. It would be an excellent time to change the spark plugs and also the belt.

MilanF30 · 10-31-2019, 06:34 AM

Thanks for sharing

Is it complicated to change the tensioner...I read somewhere that it's not an easy task?

View Poll Results: Did you experience timing chain failure on your N20 engine?
Yes, my timing chain failed or required replacement.	33	14.47%
No, I have not experienced timing chain failure.	187	82.02%
I replaced my timing chain as a preventative measure.	8	3.51%
Voters: 228. You may not vote on this poll

10-09-2019, 11:11 AM	#155
Katty29sood Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 320i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	Hi, Planning to buy a 320i xdrive with 75000km, could you post your experiences regarding the timing chain issues near 100k? What would i need to keep in mind before purchasing. Help will be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2019, 03:01 AM	#156
redhat Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW F31 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Model: F31 2013 320i Build: Munich, 06.2013 Mileage: 206k km Timing Chain Status: No problems Oil Changes: Every 10k km since 135k, before every 30k km Stop/Start Status: Coded off at 135k km Additional Details: Bootmod1 at 170k km My local workshop recommends replacing the timing chain and inspecting the oil pump next week. Personally, I did't observe the symptoms described in the forum suggesting that the repair should be done (sounds, wear or stretching of the chain). Do you think that despite the lack of symptoms, I should replace the timing chain as a preventive measure because of the high mileage?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2019, 03:25 PM	#158
Shri2222 Enlisted Member 7 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2013 328xi Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Mine just went, I got the whine. I have 20 days of the extended 7yr 70k mile warranty left and BMW is replacing the timing chain under warranty. No codes, just sounded like it had a supercharger. 328 xdrive Build 10/2012 N26 58,500 miles Mobil 1 with BMW filter Oil changed every 7k Mods bellow since 32,000 miles when I bought mine. start/stop disabled since 32,000 miles __________________ 2013 328 X-Drive BMS JB4/Connect \| BMW Oil Catch Can \|Active Autowerke FMIC\| Charge Pipe & Boost Pipe \| Active Autowerke Axle-Back Exhaust \| Catless downpipe \| 245/40R18 Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position\| H&R sport springs Last edited by Shri2222; 10-11-2019 at 03:32 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2019, 06:08 PM	#160
Troy27 Private First Class 43 Rep 165 Posts Drives: Bmw f30 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: 33067 iTrader: (0)	It would be good to know also what climate everyone that is having the failures lives in. Really cold winter's might have an effect on the plastic guides...in my opinion
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2019, 02:44 AM	#163
MilanF30 Private First Class 48 Rep 108 Posts Drives: BMW F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Serbia iTrader: (0)	At least you had a whining warring, it's not always a case. Please vote if it's still available so we can have more precise results.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2019, 02:51 AM	#164
f30nick Private First Class 32 Rep 117 Posts Drives: F30 328i 6MT/ E36 M3 5MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model 3 ... [0.00] 1997 BMW M3 [0.00]	75k miles getting low oil pressure warning, likely timing chain guides falling into the oil pan __________________ Alpine White 12' F30 328i 6MT (SOLD) Injen CAI \| Bootmod3 Stage 1 \| VRSF 5' Intercooler\| Mishimoto Catch Can \| 335i M Performance Exhaust \| H&R Super Sports \| HRE FF01 w/Hankook Ventus Evo2 \| M-Sport Retrofit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2019, 01:11 AM	#166
chipguy Private First Class 39 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 12 528i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: san jose, ca iTrader: (0)	I would change the guides if the chain is not stretched. The guide could be changed by removing the valve cover. Changing the chain would also include removing the oil pan which is a lot more cost/work.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2019, 04:39 PM	#168
andino Captain 480 Rep 681 Posts Drives: F31 328i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: norcal iTrader: (2)	I noticed the timing chain whine during my track event over the weekend. I think in my case, its an oil starvation issue but the whine is super obvious. It sounds exactly like a supercharger whine. Just something to keep in mind for those who are tracking their cars and hear the whine under heavy braking or hard left turns. __________________ 2016 328ix F31 - SOLD! 2006 997.1 C4S
	Appreciate 1 Solidjake945.00 Quote

10-30-2019, 03:56 AM	#172
MilanF30 Private First Class 48 Rep 108 Posts Drives: BMW F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Serbia iTrader: (0)	Wow, you did all this and didn't changed the chain? As i can see in the procedure, you'll need to split the chain.. I'm just curious why you did't change it, I guess the chain is the main reason guides are braking because it is stretching, and tensioner can't keep it tight anymore. Thanks for the link for the procedure tho Last edited by MilanF30; 10-30-2019 at 04:23 AM..
	Appreciate 1 sspade2464.50 Quote

10-30-2019, 08:23 PM	#174
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,456 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	@chipguy Very interesting, thanks for sharing. How many of the BMW specialty tools did you actually require? Estimated time to complete, taking your time?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2019, 06:34 AM	#176
MilanF30 Private First Class 48 Rep 108 Posts Drives: BMW F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Serbia iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing Is it complicated to change the tensioner...I read somewhere that it's not an easy task?
	Appreciate 0 Quote