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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N20, N26, B46, B48 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > N20 / N26 Timing Chain Failure Log
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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

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      07-16-2019, 06:43 PM   #89
JoeyMcMahon101
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You tune it, without upgrading chain and guides. Kiss that motor goodbye.
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      07-16-2019, 09:25 PM   #90
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@JoeyMcMahon101

I do agree that flashing a tune would increase the likelihood of chain failure because of increased stress on potentially faulty parts but that being said...

There are a ton of us, myself included- who are running Bootmod3 without any issues (knock on wood, three times).

I also believe that a proper flash tune is much safer and less likely to damage motor than a piggyback type tune.

Only time will tell. I'm at 73k currently with no issues. Ain't going anywhere and will be sure to report to the group if I encounter any problems going forward. Going to be keeping my F30 for 200k miles plus no matter what happens. Unless I get T-Boned of course.
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      07-17-2019, 08:15 AM   #91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyMcMahon101 View Post
Do not, I repeat DO NOT tune them. They can't handle it, also not all timing chain and guides were affected. Only a handful. But don't tune it... numerous shops warned me, if you do, then do the chain and guides.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyMcMahon101 View Post
You tune it, without upgrading chain and guides. Kiss that motor goodbye.
Misinformation at it's best. Do some research before making such nonsensical bold claims. There is zero evidence to support the logic that increased power effects the rigidity of the guides. At best, one could speculate that an increase in heat generated could impact the plastic but that can occur on a completely stock car in hot climates or lots of highway driving. No need to be an alarmist.
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      07-17-2019, 09:01 AM   #92
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Model: 2013 F30 328ix, 3/2013 build date
Mileage: 76k
Timing Chain Status: No problems (can confirm old guide type)
Oil Changes: 10k intervals since 55k (last owner)
Stop/Start Coded Status: Coded off since 55k (last owner)
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      07-17-2019, 02:07 PM   #93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Misinformation at it's best. Do some research before making such nonsensical bold claims. There is zero evidence to support the logic that increased power effects the rigidity of the guides. At best, one could speculate that an increase in heat generated could impact the plastic but that can occur on a completely stock car in hot climates or lots of highway driving. No need to be an alarmist.
Thank you for saying that, you're absolutely correct. Tuning/adding power WILL NOT have any impact on TC longevity.
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      07-17-2019, 02:22 PM   #94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyMcMahon101 View Post
Do not, I repeat DO NOT tune them. They can't handle it, also not all timing chain and guides were affected. Only a handful. But don't tune it... numerous shops warned me, if you do, then do the chain and guides.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyMcMahon101 View Post
You tune it, without upgrading chain and guides. Kiss that motor goodbye.
Misinformation at it's best. Do some research before making such nonsensical bold claims. There is zero evidence to support the logic that increased power effects the rigidity of the guides. At best, one could speculate that an increase in heat generated could impact the plastic but that can occur on a completely stock car in hot climates or lots of highway driving. No need to be an alarmist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Misinformation at it's best. Do some research before making such nonsensical bold claims. There is zero evidence to support the logic that increased power effects the rigidity of the guides. At best, one could speculate that an increase in heat generated could impact the plastic but that can occur on a completely stock car in hot climates or lots of highway driving. No need to be an alarmist.
Thank you for saying that, you're absolutely correct. Tuning/adding power WILL NOT have any impact on TC longevity.
I was about to reply last night but I figured someone else would soon enough 😂
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      07-17-2019, 02:47 PM   #95
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2014 N26 328i (X drive). Stock - no mods.
About 50K miles. Oil changes on/before CBS schedule.
No issues.
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      07-17-2019, 03:02 PM   #96
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Tuning/adding power WILL NOT have any impact on TC longevity.
Maybe, maybe not. What we do know for sure is that the vast majority of reported timing chain failures happened with bone stock engines, so one can't say that tuning will have an impact, just that it might. Or it might not.
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      07-21-2019, 04:31 PM   #97
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Model: MY2012 528i. Mar 2012 build date.
Mileage: 81k miles
Timing Chain Status: No problems, no whining sound.
Oil Changes: Every 5k miles since new
Stop/Start Coded Status: Coded off at 75k miles
Additional Details: The clip on one of the guides is crack, saw this by using a bore scope through the oil filler cap. Plan to replace just the guides. You can replace the guides by removing just the valve cover gasket.

Picture posted is not the actual one on my car.
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      07-21-2019, 11:14 PM   #98
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Made in South Africa on 11/13 I believe. No timing chain issues at 90k miles. Stage 2 for 10k miles, auto start/stop turned off each drive.
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      07-22-2019, 12:28 PM   #99
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I have a 6/15 build with the n26. White internals. Safe to assume I should not need to worry about this? I've been doing 5k changes with BMW filter and Redline oil.
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      07-26-2019, 10:58 PM   #100
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2012 328i. Noticed Engine whine at 78k. Out of warranty, but BMW covered about 75% of the costs as a goodwill repair. My net cost was $830. Phew. If BMw didn't help, this would have been enough to push me to switch to a different brand for my next car.
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      07-26-2019, 11:42 PM   #101
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^^ nice!!

Why would a tune not increase the likelihood of tc failure?
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      07-26-2019, 11:52 PM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhdelarosa View Post
2012 328i. Noticed Engine whine at 78k. Out of warranty, but BMW covered about 75% of the costs as a goodwill repair. My net cost was $830. Phew. If BMw didn't help, this would have been enough to push me to switch to a different brand for my next car.
Are you a regular at that dealership?

this week my timing chain sound went up a notch, and i too am just over 71000 miles, havent bothered taking it into dealership since i dont take my car there to be serviced (DIY), so I'm sure they'd just say im fked.
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      07-28-2019, 12:17 AM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhdelarosa View Post
2012 328i. Noticed Engine whine at 78k. Out of warranty, but BMW covered about 75% of the costs as a goodwill repair. My net cost was $830. Phew. If BMw didn't help, this would have been enough to push me to switch to a different brand for my next car.
Are you a regular at that dealership?

this week my timing chain sound went up a notch, and i too am just over 71000 miles, havent bothered taking it into dealership since i dont take my car there to be serviced (DIY), so I'm sure they'd just say im fked.
I'm Not a regular at all. Actually I just go to this dealer whenever I need a warranty fix. First was the white exhaust smoke from turbo oil line and now timing chain. I gambled with the timing chain because I knew I was out of extended warranty, but I read some folks who got a goodwill repair so I figured worth the risk. If you're at 71k, I say give it a shot. BMW knows they have a faulty component and they've got a lot of reputation at stake to screw over customers over only a few thousand miles. The dealer had to reach out to BMW corporate to get their approval for goodwill repair.
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      07-28-2019, 03:30 AM   #104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floridaorange View Post
^^ nice!!

Why would a tune not increase the likelihood of tc failure?
I think a simpler question is why would it... The engine isn't spinning any faster, and the movement of the timing chain is of course based on engine speed. When the engine makes extra power via tuning, the timing chain "doesn't notice", if that makes sense. There could be something I'm missing, but I don't think that there is.
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      07-28-2019, 05:18 AM   #105
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Tune would increase the boost thus increasing the torque. Higher torque would mean higher stress on the chain and guide. That’s the reason I bring the car in for chain replacement before bm3 tune. Also manage to resolve some minor issues such as thermostat failure and changing the turbo line with valve.

Personally it’s for peace of mind before putting more stress to the engine.
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      07-28-2019, 07:36 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pierreye View Post
Tune would increase the boost thus increasing the torque. Higher torque would mean higher stress on the chain and guide. That’s the reason I bring the car in for chain replacement before bm3 tune. Also manage to resolve some minor issues such as thermostat failure and changing the turbo line with valve.

Personally it’s for peace of mind before putting more stress to the engine.
Yah but the timing chain isn't spun via the torque made by the engine, it's just spun based on engine speed, whereas things that do break, like rods, are moved by the actual force generated during combustion. It isn't moved by the engine's power, just the engine's movement, if that makes sense. Thinking about other types of cars for a moment, when was the last time you heard of a timing belt (which is run similarly to how our chain is run) being a weak point on modified cars? No other platforms that I know of upgrade to stronger belts.
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      07-29-2019, 12:49 AM   #107
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To be honest, my 2013 has 99k miles... Has a small oil pump whine at initial start but once warmed up makes zero noise. I think the oil pump/chain failure is a thing but not everyone is going to experience it. Ive been tuned since 50k and have changed my oil every 6k with liqui moly using Ceratec every 20k miles and dont think my motor is going anywhere anytime soon. I know people are having issues ( proof is in the posts for sure ) but I think alot of it has to do with 15k initial oil change intervals. Ive been doing 6k since day 1 and outisde of that initial whine, once warmed up motor sounds perfect. Ive heard / read people even get that whine with a new pump/chain... No excuse we should not have that noise but I dont think everyone will grenade a motor over 100k. I think the forum posts are a small minority in the world of all the N20s
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      07-29-2019, 07:43 AM   #108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pierreye View Post
Higher torque would mean higher stress on the chain and guide.
Cant agree with that.
Higher torque would mean higher stress on the parts where it is applied to: transmission, clutches, gears, diff, driveshaft...
Chain just turns intake and exhaust camshafts, which have same resistance (torque need) regardless if the engine idles or produces 500 lb/f at that moment.
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      07-29-2019, 08:28 AM   #109
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Model: 2013 F10 528I AWD
Mileage: 59,069 miles
Timing Chain Status: Failed at 57,983
Oil Changes: Only had it for 6 months. Interval change will be every (5k Miles)
Stop/Start Coded Status: Bought it coded off
Additional Comments: The attached pics below are the invoices I received after everything was done
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      07-29-2019, 09:51 AM   #110
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You guys might be right on the tune doesn’t increase the risk on timing chain. But before tune, I bring the car in for timing chain change and luckily found out that my guide is broken in 2 separate place. At least now I’m comfortable to keep my car long term.
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