[gameson]

just want to post the tensioner new vs old

credit from bimmerfest.

question, what happens if the wastegate solenoid is 'altered'? i read the writeup and the write said the same thing, he even taped it to prevent alteration.

thanks.

Originally Posted by dave14x28

DIY tensioner change writeup by XBU @ Bimmerfest, based on a 8/2014 X4 (F26), here:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/n...1012721/page-9

Doesn't look too complicated, but you have to be *a little* handy. And not alter the wastegate solenoid positioning in the process.

If you're going to do it, you can also buy the chain checking tool 2 411 399 from BMW and follow procedure 11 31 540 which will show you how close the tensioner is to being "at the end of its rope" for max allowable extension.

I have one, and plan to check in the spring when inspection comes around (which will be about 1 year since I had the timing chain service done).

[sspade]

For others reading and interested, the wastegate actuator does not need to be removed or taken apart, regardless of what that review shows. Not sure why he went through all that effort, when its OBVIOUSLY not necessary.

Leaving it in place reduces the risk of changing the position of the screw and having to go through the relearn process with ISTA (or similar).

The entire unit can be swiveled out of the way with the two pivot points shown in photo.

There are two bolts on the underside of the aluminum housing that need to be removed, thats it.

Some people like to overthink things :

[gnolivos]

Makes Me nervous to read n26 engine lawsuit. I thought the timing chain issue was specific to n20?
I have a 2016 n26 LCI. I was told my car doesn't risk this TC issue. Is it because of the date ?

[dave14x28]

sspade, thanks for confirming that you don't have to disturb the linkage attachment to the wastegate lever, or the linkage adjusting nut.

I had not attempted this myself yet, merely read the writeup and shelved it for later, but was thinking that detaching the solenoid body from its mount could disturb the adjustment. Somehow had it in my mind that the attaching screws were perpendicular to the linkage axis, and that loosening them would allow the solenoid body to move. Obviously not the case, looking at the photo more closely now.

[TravelingLight]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

The chart is on post#742 of this thread.

Broken guides are covered by the N20/N26 TC settlement.

When was your failure diagnosed, and at what mileage?

The Effective/Settlement Date of the settlement should be late June, 2021.

If failure is diagnosed past 7 yrs/70k miles(N20/N26 TC ELW coverage), then it needs to be prior to 8 yrs/100k miles pre Settlement Date, or prior to 100k miles post Settlement Date(and within 1 yr of that date), in order to be covered by the settlement.

Thank you!! Mine happened early September 2021, Sept 7 to be exact. 90099 miles, 2013 model.

ETA: The "delivery" date (which I assume is the in service date) for my vehicle, per my BMW paperwork is Dec 30, 2012.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by gnolivos

Makes Me nervous to read n26 engine lawsuit. I thought the timing chain issue was specific to n20?
I have a 2016 n26 LCI. I was told my car doesn't risk this TC issue. Is it because of the date ?

Yes

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by TravelingLight

Thank you!! Mine happened early September 2021, Sept 7 to be exact. 90099 miles, 2013 model.

ETA: The "delivery" date (which I assume is the in service date) for my vehicle, per my BMW paperwork is Dec 30, 2012.

Your failure was diagnosed post Settlement Date at a BMW dealer, so that falls under the Prospective Repair Program as outlined in the settlement(which just means any failure post Settlement Date must be diagnosed by a dealer).

Per table in post#742, the owner pays 60% of the repair cost from 90k-100k miles(and no age limit within one year of Settlement Date).

Also once your repair falls under the settlement terms, BMWNA has their own pricing(BMW parts, labor hours) as BMWNA is on the hook to pay all/part of it.

Best of the luck on the repair, and keep us informed of what happens.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by gnolivos

Makes Me nervous to read n26 engine lawsuit. I thought the timing chain issue was specific to n20?
I have a 2016 n26 LCI. I was told my car doesn't risk this TC issue. Is it because of the date ?

The questionable tensioner was used through 12/28/2016. Based on what a cock up this has been I wouldn't trust BMW when they say the new chain fixed the problem. The evidence points to the tensioner being at least equally responsible. If the old tensioner wasn't at fault why did they replace it?

[bavarianride]

Yikes I just read that CR rates 2012-2013 BMW 3-series well below average reliability.

Given N20/N26 TC issue lurking in the background, my thinking is that 2012-2013 N20/N26 owners may consider selling.

[SteelCT]

Has anyone in the Philly area has success in getting a dealer to do the official test? If so, which dealership? I've taken mine to the dealer a couple of times and all they'll do is listen for a noise. I'm at 94k and would like to have the test done before I hit 100k.
Also, any Indy's that have done the swap preemptively at a good price?

Thanks!!!!

[TravelingLight]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Your failure was diagnosed post Settlement Date at a BMW dealer, so that falls under the Prospective Repair Program as outlined in the settlement(which just means any failure post Settlement Date must be diagnosed by a dealer).

Per table in post#742, the owner pays 60% of the repair cost from 90k-100k miles(and no age limit within one year of Settlement Date).

Also once your repair falls under the settlement terms, BMWNA has their own pricing(BMW parts, labor hours) as BMWNA is on the hook to pay all/part of it.

Best of the luck on the repair, and keep us informed of what happens.

Thank you! Just so I'm clear, since my repair was within one year of the settlement date, it doesn't matter that per my "del date" it's just barely over 8 years old?

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by TravelingLight

Thank you! Just so I'm clear, since my repair was within one year of the settlement date, it doesn't matter that per my "del date" it's just barely over 8 years old?

That is correct, the settlement terms dictate that within one year of Settlement Date, only mileage limit(e.g. 100% coverage below 70k miles, and prorated up to 100k miles) applies.

Beyond one year of Settlement Date, both age limit and mileage limit apply.

[DSH7]

Apologies, I'm sure I missed it somewhere in this thread, but does changing the tensioner help mitigate the possibility of a timing chain failure on older N20s?

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by DSH7

Apologies, I'm sure I missed it somewhere in this thread, but does changing the tensioner help mitigate the possibility of a timing chain failure on older N20s?

Some owners do believe swapping tensioner help, while dealer foremen and bmwtechnician.com believe tensioners do not help much.

[gameson]

It says that the new timing guide plastic is white. So if i open my oil cap nd take a peak, i should see white plastic if it’s already replaced?

My F30 build date is 05/2015, supposedly already have the new guide.

Please advise.

Thanks.

[Billfitz]

All the guides are white initially, and they all turn brown eventually.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

All the guides are white initially, and they all turn brown eventually.

Thanks. How to tell then if it’s turned to brown? Lol…

[ffrostiger]

Just blew a gasket recently, need gonna figure out if its worth the trouble.
Thanks for all the good information!

[keano16]

Why 320xi was not part of this issue? Do they have a different design of the timing chain? Mine is a 2013 320xi with 120k.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by keano16

Why 320xi was not part of this issue? Do they have a different design of the timing chain? Mine is a 2013 320xi with 120k.

It is included, 4th column / 4th row:

[Clefmonster]

Originally Posted by jojo7

I just got approved for the timing chain job. I knew I had the problem as I could hear the whine during cold mornings when I rev the engine between 3000 and 4000 RPM. My car has 79,921 miles when I took it in yesterday. The total cost to me is around $550.

I knew about this before my car got to 70,000 miles. When I took it in with the odometer at around 69,000, I was told everything was fine, even with a recorded video of the noise. However, it looks like the new test they are using is precise. BMW only authorizes the job once the car fails the new test.

Please take your car in even if you don't have the noise. The test is free and the cost is low once approved. Good luck to you all.

Is the timing chain test only for people below 100k miles? I called service to check my car's TC(car is currently 105k miles) and they charged me $200 for diagnostics, and only briefly glanced at the timing chain guide.

[keano16]

Originally Posted by sspade

It is included, 4th column / 4th row:

Thanks, what happens for cars with 100K+ miles?