[OldDudesBimmer]

Originally Posted by Serg0211

Hello Everyone,

I took my car to my mechanic and the car wouldn’t start. He opened it up because he thought it was the starter. Come to find out it was a time chain that slipped. He suggested that I take it to the dealership to see if they can cover it. I have a 2016 328i sulev GT with 48,790 miles. Does anyone know if there is coverage on that model?
Some advice would be really appreciated.

Hi, any updates on your car? Sorry if I missed it.

Not sure if you saw this or not?

[fe7565]

Was not aware of a timing chain issue for the N26, glad I found this thread. How do you check the timing chain's condition yourself? And is that a reliable way to detect any problems?

Model: 2012 BMW 328i (May 2012 build date)
Mileage: 101k (Bought as 2nd Owner at 28K)
Timing Chain Status: No
Oil change intervals: Every 5-8k miles since ownership, using OEM filters and BMW-approved oil
Auto Start/Stop: Coded out/turned off at 30K

Normal daily drive, no mods.

[jayp80]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Was not aware of a timing chain issue for the N26, glad I found this thread. How do you check the timing chain's condition yourself? And is that a reliable way to detect any problems?

Model: 2012 BMW 328i (May 2012 build date)
Mileage: 101k (Bought as 2nd Owner at 28K)
Timing Chain Status: No
Oil change intervals: Every 5-8k miles since ownership, using OEM filters and BMW-approved oil
Auto Start/Stop: Coded out/turned off at 30K

Normal daily drive, no mods.

Probably the easiest would be to look under that gas cap on a hot engine to see the slack in the chain, there is a way shops can gauge how far the tensioner is extended but that only gives you slack it doesn't account for the scenario where the plastic just crumbles like mine did.

[dpalexander]

X3 N20 with late 2014 build date. 120K miles. No failure or unwanted noise.

[jayp80]

Originally Posted by jayp80

Model: 2013 BMW 328i XDrive
Mileage: 67k
Timing Chain Status: Failed/Required Engine Replacement
Oil change intervals: Every 7k miles
Auto Start/Stop: Coded out

Additional details

Completely stock , never driven rough just a basic daily driver. Drove a mile to my gym, left an hr later, half way back at a stop light I hear some noise then it gets louder, I pull off into a side street and it dies on me.

Just an update, I submitted a claim online after my engine died and after the stated warranty period. I did it just to say at least I tried, got a letter maybe month later requesting more documentation I submitted the docs maybe 5 months ago but didn't hear back. I called today and was told that someone would review my case, I explicitly asked were claims being approved past the stated warranty period and she quickly responded yes. If you haven't filed a claim at least give it a shot.

[gunner4evr]

Originally Posted by jayp80

Just an update, I submitted a claim online after my engine died and after the stated warranty period. I did it just to say at least I tried, got a letter maybe month later requesting more documentation I submitted the docs maybe 5 months ago but didn't hear back. I called today and was told that someone would review my case, I explicitly asked were claims being approved past the stated warranty period and she quickly responded yes. If you haven't filed a claim at least give it a shot.

jayp80 Did you receive any update on your claim?

[breg2421]

Hey all, i saw this log and figured i would add mine as it just failed 2 weeks ago. I have a 2014 328xi m-sport and the timing chain failed at less than 75k. It is out of the warranty and class action range so im not sure what to do. its at 8.9 years of service. I called BMW customer service and they were unwilling to budge relating to the lawsuit and coverage of repair. I also had an extended warranty that ended July 22.

I will try filling out the claim form but am not very optimistic...gonna be my last bimmer i think.

[breg2421]

jayp80 i live in Chicago area as well and had the exact same thing happen to me 2 weeks ago(may 26). Was meeting my gf for dinner and heard a noise, it got worse within a mile and died. timing chain confirmed.

[telecastermds]

2012 328i N20
Timing chain replaced at 106k

[the428ix]

2015 428i xDrive gran coupe
Build date sticker says 07/2014
Bought the car at 87,000km (54k miles) and now sitting at 153,000km (95k miles)
I’ve mostly driven it calmly aside from maybe the first couple weeks I had it. I also keep the auto stop feature off. Oil changes at around 8-10k km (5-6k miles) since I got it 3 years ago.

No issues so far.

I know I’m one of hundreds but does anyone with more knowledge know if I should be worried? I’ve read there’s a certain mileage range when it tends to happen if it’ll happen and I’ve also read that it’s more likely on 2013-2014 models. Ever since reading about it I have constant anxiety that it’ll just blow off while I’m driving. Before I knew about this issue I’ve taken it on road trips as long as 6 hours each way but now I’m scared to drive outta the city.

I take it to an independent mechanic who exclusively works on bmws. I asked him about this issue and he told me that he’d do a check during the oil change and found it to be fine, possibly just a slight give on the chain and no strange sound from what he could tell.

I’m considering getting it fixed preemptively but he said it could cost me 4-5k grand (Toronto, Canada) so I don’t know what to do since for now it seems okay

[sspade]

Originally Posted by the428ix

2015 428i xDrive gran coupe
Build date sticker says 07/2014
Bought the car at 87,000km (54k miles) and now sitting at 153,000km (95k miles)
I’ve mostly driven it calmly aside from maybe the first couple weeks I had it. I also keep the auto stop feature off. Oil changes at around 8-10k km (5-6k miles) since I got it 3 years ago.

No issues so far.

I know I’m one of hundreds but does anyone with more knowledge know if I should be worried? I’ve read there’s a certain mileage range when it tends to happen if it’ll happen and I’ve also read that it’s more likely on 2013-2014 models. Ever since reading about it I have constant anxiety that it’ll just blow off while I’m driving. Before I knew about this issue I’ve taken it on road trips as long as 6 hours each way but now I’m scared to drive outta the city.

I take it to an independent mechanic who exclusively works on bmws. I asked him about this issue and he told me that he’d do a check during the oil change and found it to be fine, possibly just a slight give on the chain and no strange sound from what he could tell.

I’m considering getting it fixed preemptively but he said it could cost me 4-5k grand (Toronto, Canada) so I don’t know what to do since for now it seems okay

Thanks for sharing! Little to no reason to get it repaired preemptively. If you've got cash to burn and think it will make you sleep better at night- then do it, I guess

Otherwise... maintain the vehicle with ~5k mile oil change intervals and pay attention for tell tale sounds of failure. HIGHLY UNLIKELY to just grenade one day out of no where. I've owned a couple N20's now (current with 140k miles on it), neither required any major repair to this point.

[jayp80]

Originally Posted by gunner4evr

jayp80 Did you receive any update on your claim?

No updates

[doubbleb]

Just bought a 2013 with 65K on it from my neighbor. Made it to about 68k and locked up tight. Dealer said timing chain guide failure clogged the oil pick up screen with plastic and laughed when I asked about help from BMW with being such low mileage.

[gunner4evr]

Anyone tried reporting the N20 timing chain/guide failures to NHTSA- https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem ? I think this is a safety concern which can warrant a recall if there are enough reports.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by gunner4evr

Anyone tried reporting the N20 timing chain/guide failures to NHTSA- https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem ? I think this is a safety concern which can warrant a recall if there are enough reports.

There is already a settlement:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...01140-9999.pdf

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-...on-settlement/

[Halfb8d]

How do I know if I have the good timing chain? Realoem shows this for the last 7 of my vin. I don’t think I’ve noticed any whine from the engine or anything of that nature but would definitely want it replaced if it saves me from a catastrophic failure down the line. Haven’t seen any issues on 2016 320s but I’ve also read it doesn’t matter the year for these engines. My car is a lci xdrive with roughly 66k miles now.

[fe7565]

The original chain that was supposed to be designed to be quiet (because of its design) was prone to wear much faster the timing parts. If you compare the chain links (by opening the oil fill cap) with the latest chain design, you can tell if it’s the old or the new one.

But the problem is really not the chain, the problem is the tensioner, which was redesigned around 2015. It costs about $70 and 30 minutes to 1 hr of your time to replace. It actually will take five minutes to replace, but you have to spend the rest of the time removing couple of mounting bolts of the wastegate valve actuator

The original chain tensioner had a plunger that wasn’t long enough, a spring that was too weak, and oil ports that were at a different location. This allowed excessive slack to develop in the timing chain, which in turn would start flapping and battering the plastic chain guides. These chain guides become brittle with time and break off easier and get ingested in the engine or the oil pump.

Although replacing the timing chain kit would be ideal to prevent any future problems, it’s a very involved DIY job, in average taking longer than a weekend. The timing chain kit is about $200-$240 and includes the oil pump chain replacement kit as well. You will need about $50-$100 worth of special tools as well for setting your timing.

If you want it done by an Indy shop or the dealer, you can calculate the labor and parts costs yourself.

There is an official BMW timing chain and oil pump chain diagnostic test. But it’s not free, except in certain situations which you will have to ask the dealer. It uses special electronic stethoscopes and an algorithm to detect chain noises.

I can only speak for myself, but if you don’t see excessive wear on your chain, or hear any noises, I would still replace the tensioner. And then just monitor the chain and the oil pressure.

[giraffewt]

Originally Posted by Halfb8d

How do I know if I have the good timing chain? Realoem shows this for the last 7 of my vin. I don’t think I’ve noticed any whine from the engine or anything of that nature but would definitely want it replaced if it saves me from a catastrophic failure down the line. Haven’t seen any issues on 2016 320s but I’ve also read it doesn’t matter the year for these engines. My car is a lci xdrive with roughly 66k miles now.

I found the best way to have peace of mind is to use an endoscope to check some weak points of the timing chain guide.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2004463

[Bilbofraggins]

2015 X3 N20 with a 08/2014 build date. 90K miles (144,000KM).

No failure or unwanted noise--apart fro the thing sounding like a diesel on startup

This was my better halfs vehicle, and my son's for last 3 years.

Don't see much by way of failure of 2015's....but still considering getting the TC etc replaced. Vehicle is well maint (6000 oil mile changes).

Hard to ascertain the true problem by model year/build date....but google deosn't spew out much for 2014/14s.

BMW Canada's treatment of customers over this vice the US is noted - Off to dig how this is going down in the UK.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...bmw-n20-engine

[Loveroxxyy]

Reviving this thread, spent about an hour reading prior year replies.

Model: 2015 328i xdrive SULEV N26
Build: Munich, 01/2015
Mileage: 83k
Timing Chain Status: No problems
Oil Changes: every 5-6k BMW 5w-30
Stop/Start Status: Coded off
Additional Details: replaced oil, transmission fluid, spark plugs all recently. Car runs well. Was reading through this thread as I was doing my oil change, used an inspection camera to check for cracks, nothing visible.