[competition]

After 2 weeks, my N26 328i is finally back in my garage. I was driving to work, approaching a light and coming to a stop when it sounded like a machine gun went off in my engine bay. I came to a stop and turned off the motor immediately. Oil was everywhere.

Towing a BMW that won't turn over is a big problem. For the automatic transmissions, it's not possible to put the car in neutral if the car isn't turned on. The only way to do it is by removing the under tray and hitting the switch from underneath the car. Given the circumstances of the location and limited tools, the car was forced to be towed on a wheel dolly. Flat bed was not an option.

Car stayed at the dealership for a few days and finally got a call back from the service advisor telling me that the cause was the faulty timing chain tensioner. BMW replaced the timing chain components for the N20/N26 in 01/2015. My build date was 05/2014. I'm surprised that this is just an updated service bulletin rather than a recall.

Here's what my invoice stated:
Confirmed engine no crank , no start. Connected battery charger. Performed vehicle test. Attempted to turn crankshaft by hand tool, confirmed crankshaft is seized and unable to turn freely. Submitted TC Case #xxxxxx and was instructed to remove valve over to found metal debris in the valve train with broken parts. Sent additional information back to TC. TC Case instructed to remove engine oil pan to further inspect. Supported engine, released undercarriage. Removed oil pan and inspect, found timing chain and chain guide came apart causing subsequent damage to the lower part of the engine, pistons, connecting rods, bearings, engine block, oil pan, and caused engine to seize.

The short block was completely replaced. I did some calculations of all the parts and it came out to about $12,000 before labor. My invoice didn't state any pricing, probably because it was all under warranty. Anyway, I wasn't upset about this situation. Instead, I'm happier to be a BMW customer today than before the incident. Great customer service and care.

TL;DR Motor blew, timing chain explosion was the cause, and BMW replaced the motor.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by handle

After 2 weeks, my N26 328i is finally back in my garage. I was driving to work, approaching a light and coming to a stop when it sounded like a machine gun went off in my engine bay. I came to a stop and turned off the motor immediately. Oil was everywhere.

Towing a BMW that won't turn over is a big problem. For the automatic transmissions, it's not possible to put the car in neutral if the car isn't turned on. The only way to do it is by removing the under tray and hitting the switch from underneath the car. Given the circumstances of the location and limited tools, the car was forced to be towed on a wheel dolly. Flat bed was not an option.

Car stayed at the dealership for a few days and finally got a call back from the service advisor telling me that the cause was the faulty timing chain tensioner. BMW replaced the timing chain components for the N20/N26 in 01/2015. My build date was 05/2014. I'm surprised that this is just an updated service bulletin rather than a recall.

Here's what my invoice stated:
Confirmed engine no crank , no start. Connected battery charger. Performed vehicle test. Attempted to turn crankshaft by hand tool, confirmed crankshaft is seized and unable to turn freely. Submitted TC Case #xxxxxx and was instructed to remove valve over to found metal debris in the valve train with broken parts. Sent additional information back to TC. TC Case instructed to remove engine oil pan to further inspect. Supported engine, released undercarriage. Removed oil pan and inspect, found timing chain and chain guide came apart causing subsequent damage to the lower part of the engine, pistons, connecting rods, bearings, engine block, oil pan, and caused engine to seize.

The short block was completely replaced. I did some calculations of all the parts and it came out to about $12,000 before labor. My invoice didn't state any pricing, probably because it was all under warranty. Anyway, I wasn't upset about this situation. Instead, I'm happier to be a BMW customer today than before the incident. Great customer service and care.

TL;DR Motor blew, timing chain explosion was the cause, and BMW replaced the motor.

Glad this all worked out! Serious bummer.

My f31 has a build date of 10/2014, surprised I haven't heard of this earlier.

[wolves]

Just to clarify, you were only covered because you were still under warranty? That's a huge repair if not covered :0 Glad things were sorted!

[DG20]

Glad you got your car back man!

[Seraphblade@sg]

Originally Posted by handle

After 2 weeks, my N26 328i is finally back in my garage. I was driving to work, approaching a light and coming to a stop when it sounded like a machine gun went off in my engine bay. I came to a stop and turned off the motor immediately. Oil was everywhere.

Towing a BMW that won't turn over is a big problem. For the automatic transmissions, it's not possible to put the car in neutral if the car isn't turned on. The only way to do it is by removing the under tray and hitting the switch from underneath the car. Given the circumstances of the location and limited tools, the car was forced to be towed on a wheel dolly. Flat bed was not an option.

Car stayed at the dealership for a few days and finally got a call back from the service advisor telling me that the cause was the faulty timing chain tensioner. BMW replaced the timing chain components for the N20/N26 in 01/2015. My build date was 05/2014. I'm surprised that this is just an updated service bulletin rather than a recall.

Here's what my invoice stated:
Confirmed engine no crank , no start. Connected battery charger. Performed vehicle test. Attempted to turn crankshaft by hand tool, confirmed crankshaft is seized and unable to turn freely. Submitted TC Case #xxxxxx and was instructed to remove valve over to found metal debris in the valve train with broken parts. Sent additional information back to TC. TC Case instructed to remove engine oil pan to further inspect. Supported engine, released undercarriage. Removed oil pan and inspect, found timing chain and chain guide came apart causing subsequent damage to the lower part of the engine, pistons, connecting rods, bearings, engine block, oil pan, and caused engine to seize.

The short block was completely replaced. I did some calculations of all the parts and it came out to about $12,000 before labor. My invoice didn't state any pricing, probably because it was all under warranty. Anyway, I wasn't upset about this situation. Instead, I'm happier to be a BMW customer today than before the incident. Great customer service and care.

TL;DR Motor blew, timing chain explosion was the cause, and BMW replaced the motor.

Hiya, were you running any mods?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by handle

After 2 weeks, my N26 328i is finally back in my garage. I was driving to work, approaching a light and coming to a stop when it sounded like a machine gun went off in my engine bay. I came to a stop and turned off the motor immediately. Oil was everywhere.

Towing a BMW that won't turn over is a big problem. For the automatic transmissions, it's not possible to put the car in neutral if the car isn't turned on. The only way to do it is by removing the under tray and hitting the switch from underneath the car. Given the circumstances of the location and limited tools, the car was forced to be towed on a wheel dolly. Flat bed was not an option.

Car stayed at the dealership for a few days and finally got a call back from the service advisor telling me that the cause was the faulty timing chain tensioner. BMW replaced the timing chain components for the N20/N26 in 01/2015. My build date was 05/2014. I'm surprised that this is just an updated service bulletin rather than a recall.

Here's what my invoice stated:
Confirmed engine no crank , no start. Connected battery charger. Performed vehicle test. Attempted to turn crankshaft by hand tool, confirmed crankshaft is seized and unable to turn freely. Submitted TC Case #xxxxxx and was instructed to remove valve over to found metal debris in the valve train with broken parts. Sent additional information back to TC. TC Case instructed to remove engine oil pan to further inspect. Supported engine, released undercarriage. Removed oil pan and inspect, found timing chain and chain guide came apart causing subsequent damage to the lower part of the engine, pistons, connecting rods, bearings, engine block, oil pan, and caused engine to seize.

The short block was completely replaced. I did some calculations of all the parts and it came out to about $12,000 before labor. My invoice didn't state any pricing, probably because it was all under warranty. Anyway, I wasn't upset about this situation. Instead, I'm happier to be a BMW customer today than before the incident. Great customer service and care.

TL;DR Motor blew, timing chain explosion was the cause, and BMW replaced the motor.

This is a simple DIY project.

I went to Home Depot to purchase some chain and just shorted it up so it would fit.

[CatDaddyJones]

My check engine light came on after less than 24 hours. I feel your pain! BMW has been great so far. Car has been in the shop a week. They gave me a 16 535d as a loaner. Sad to say but I miss my 428i. The 535 has a nice ride but seems slower. I am getting 40mpg so that has been the upside

[2msport]

Does this mean my 4/2014 build N20 228 should get looked at?

[stvding]

That motor is gonna cause a fortune if not under warranty

[mike@x-ph.com]

Glad you were covered

[CharlieVu]

Anyway I can upgrade my chain myself? I have a n26 made in 09/2013. I am 900 miles outside of the 50k warranty. I don't want to pay 12k in repairs. Please help me!

[competition]

Originally Posted by CharlieVu

Anyway I can upgrade my chain myself? I have a n26 made in 09/2013. I am 900 miles outside of the 50k warranty. I don't want to pay 12k in repairs. Please help me!

I'm sure if it blows, BMW will have to cover it. Also changing it yourself might be very difficult.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Does this mean my 4/2014 build N20 228 should get looked at?

Maybe have it looked at. Tell them it's ticking or something..since it falls inside the time frame..what could it hurt to have it checked out and replaced for free if necessary?

[CharlieVu]

I'll be honest, I'm not really familiar with these parts. Wouldn't do me any good to bring it in and have someone to look at it.

I wouldn't do it myself, would have my mechanic friend do it. I was going to extend the warranty to 90k but BMW wanted $5300 cash up front. I just bought a house so i can't really do anything to affect my DTI

[vader1]

Ok, I will not pretend to be any kind of mechanical genius, but if the crank seized during operation I can see how this might damage the chain guide/tensioner,chain, but I do not see how if the timing chain components were to fail that it would cause the crank to seize.

In my somewhat basic understanding of an engine, if the timing chain fails on an interference engine, the pistons can mess up the valvetrain and bend or break valves, but this should not lock up the rotating crank assemble and pistons.

But if the crank were to seize because of a spun bearing or oil starvation, that could cause the chain/guide to break.

And again, not an expert, but if people were worried about their chain guides and chains all of a sudden, it might not be warranted unless you are hearing odd noises from the chain cover. I would venture a guess that the problem originated somewhere else and the chain breaking was a byproduct.

[Dippydo]

According to my tech, BMW is going to warranty these as long as you are current on your oil changes even if your car is outside of warranty.

[Getzy2]

I wish that was the case. Just bought a 2013 328xi and had the motor blow at 54k. Dealership price would've been 13k. I had my mechanic do it for 7. Said the timing belt tensioner malfunction causing internal failure