[manitaci]

Hello fellow BMW drivers,

There is a rattling sound coming from the engine of mine ‘13 320d 183.000km.
The noise is relative to engine revs.
It gets harder with higer revs.
No power loss, car still driving smooth.
Driving, park and neutral all the same rattling/knocking sound.
Been to 2 BMW experts, but they were not sure if it’s the timing chain, as it sounds a little different to them.

Note: on cold start the engine always made a rattling sound for approx 5seconds before to get smooth again. Not sure if this has something to do with other sound mentined.

Please see video, thanks in advance!

[Enabled]

Can you locate it around the engine anywhere?

[manitaci]

Originally Posted by Enabled

Can you locate it around the engine anywhere?

Very hard to locate. It sounds really from inside the engine. Most likely from the left side when standing front of car. Can not say if it’s behind (towards the automatic transmission).

My thoughts till now as the frequency is directly related to revs:
Timing chain (tensioner)?
Flywheel?
Crankshaft?

[Tomadam]

Flywheel

[Enabled]

Flywheel would be better than the timing chain... I was afraid this was timing chain.

[manitaci]

For those interested.
I changed Timing chain. It was strechted about 1cm compared to new one.
Most likely the chain was hitting metal parts.

Also gear tooth of camshaft gearwheel was worn out. 1 tooth almost flattened.

Changed all gaskets. Transmission oil lost when taking off Torque converter. It had the RED oil from previous owner. Now refilled with GREEN!

Problem solved! engine is less louder now.
Costs 1950 euro

[Enabled]

What engine oil change intervals has this car had? If you know.

[manitaci]

Originally Posted by Enabled

What engine oil change intervals has this car had? If you know.

12000 km
A regularly oil change won't save the chain on pre-2013 N47 (N20) motors.

The car is well maintained.

Update on chain replacement:
The engine doesn't sound like a tractor anymore. Stationary is not that "silent" as the 6L N57 but its ok. Sounds fresh

Even before the sound appeared, the engine had cracking sound, esp when turning on low revs.
Performance didn't change. 0-100kmh 6.2 sec, topspeed 247kmh.
Maybe less fuel consumption.

Before chain change, oil temp was always exactly 100C (212F)
Now it araound 75C (167F). Not sure if this is good or bad...

[Enabled]

You should check the oil temp thermostat. If oil doesn't reach full temperature, you will have worse fuel economy.


Relieved because US only received the post 2013 N47 design.

[Cs77]

What are the signs for changing time chain?Is that rattling noise from engine or is there other signs?I have 140k on my 320d '12.No rattling sound on my Bmw but I am afraid of possible damage...

[Enabled]

Rattle
rattle
rattle
Rattle
Snap.

[Cs77]

Originally Posted by Enabled

Rattle
rattle
rattle
Rattle
Snap.

Thank's for explanation!!!

[Enabled]

Hehe, just a light-hearted joke. If yours isn't rattling, then I don't see a reason to worry, so far.
Now if you ever have to pull your gearbox, then do the chain guide service for sure.

[hardcoremore]

Hi manitaci,


How much horse power your engine had. Is it one with 184?

[opinion914]

Originally Posted by Enabled

You should check the oil temp thermostat. If oil doesn't reach full temperature, you will have worse fuel economy.

Would a faulty thermostat trigger a CEL? I know my n47 takes quite a few miles to warm up and immediately thought "thermostat". Then figured if the thermostat was faulty I'd get a CEL for running too rich or something.

[Antti22]

Would it be possible for OP to restore the video he uploaded, so it would be possible for others to hear what timing chain rattle sounds like?

[Bimmby2.0]

I have the same rattling noise on my '13 320d f30. can be heard whilst driving. usually on the initial press on the gas pedal (low rpm) then goes away once you step further down (high revs). if the timing chain really is the problem, does anyone has the step by step guide to do this? cheers lads!

[kdog_x]

Originally Posted by Bimmby2.0

I have the same rattling noise on my '13 320d f30. can be heard whilst driving. usually on the initial press on the gas pedal (low rpm) then goes away once you step further down (high revs). if the timing chain really is the problem, does anyone has the step by step guide to do this? cheers lads!

If it is the chain, the engine has to be removed to replace it. Not sure of the details since this is pretty much the only job they left out of the Bentley manual, but definitely an involved job. The chain is on the rear of the motor.

[smaB]

Originally Posted by manitaci

Hello fellow BMW drivers,

There is a rattling sound coming from the engine of mine ‘13 320d 183.000km.
The noise is relative to engine revs.
It gets harder with higer revs.
No power loss, car still driving smooth.
Driving, park and neutral all the same rattling/knocking sound.
Been to 2 BMW experts, but they were not sure if it’s the timing chain, as it sounds a little different to them.

Note: on cold start the engine always made a rattling sound for approx 5seconds before to get smooth again. Not sure if this has something to do with other sound mentined.

Please see video, thanks in advance!

Unfortunately, I couldn't see the video - however your description of the sound seems the same.

There are some differences, though;
a) I don't have the sound during parking nor do I have it in neutral
b) I haven't ever heard it make the sound during cold starts, just while under load

I've recently had it back from BMW for the EGR replacement.

During this time, BMW sent a video with a visual checks on suspension, tyres, transmission and a few other components - all their checks turned a positive result.

Upon collection, I requested a BMW technician jump in for a test drive with me to listen. We couldn't hear it while he drove it at first but the sound became apparent soon after. I mentioned to the technician that I'd looked around online for months and I was aware that the only other videos I've seen that had a similar sound were cars that had their exhaust hit their heat shields under load/acceleration. The technician also mentioned he was not sure what the sound was and asked me to bring it in to BMW again when I could.

I later took it to my local garage where we checked everything under the car and there was only one small problem - there seemed to be a bolt missing from the panelling shielding the parts. This meant the panel was moved fairly easily by hand. We added a bolt and I initially thought this had solved the problem - I was wrong as it isn't as obvious but the sound is most certainly still there.

[Be_Em_Double_You]

Interesting read. I have a 2013 E92 320D with N47T engine. 95,000km and runs very nicely so far. Should I be worried about this chain issue?
Its like any car google 'common problems' and search results will appear with all sorts.