[jacob123]

Hello dear fellow bimmers,

So the time has come, my 2014 320i started to make that famous timing chain whining noise on engine revs around 2 weeks ago, the exact same sound as the first video on this page: bmwtechnician.com/2016/08/07/n20-timing-chain-issue/comment-page-1/

My mileage is below 70k miles, so I took it to BMW dealership hoping to get the extended factory warranty. They initially told me there would be a $240 diagnosis fee, which is on me if the diagnosis result is non-timing chain related. I'm ok with that.

The second day, when I called in to check the diagnosis status, the dealer told me that they had to open the oil pan to do a further diagnosis so they can send data to BMW to file the claim, which is $1700. LOL!! Almost $2000 just for diagnosis!! So, my question is, is this how it usually works? Anyone who had the factory warranty before? What's your experiences? What can we do if the dealer keeps adding skyrocketed fee on it?

Thanks a lot!

[Love_Hounds]

There is no way they would charge you 1700 USD for removing the oil pan, that's more like the cost of the replacement parts and labor to do the job of replacing the chain and various other parts associated.

I would call them and see if they can email you an itemized list of what they've done.

[RMachuca3d]

what?!!? thats pretty much the cost to fix it, tell them to take a hike lol.

Also, the TC warranty does not need to be puma'd anymore, so I dont see why they need to get BMW HQ approval for it.

[jacob123]

Thanks for the reply! I asked them for an itermized report, but the agent is just giving me some very vague answers, saying they drained my oil and found some metal shavings, took off the oil pan, didn't found anything, now going to open the head gasket and check the guides, etc. To be frankly, I don't feel a diagnosis would require tearing apart the engine this much.

@RMachuca3d where did you see it doesn't need HQ approval anymore? Any references you can share? Many thanks!

[jacob123]

Now they are telling me the timing chain is "intact", after spending around 2000 USD in diagnosis, what can I do?

[Billfitz]

Of course the chain is intact, if it wasn't it would be broken and they could have seen that by looking into the oil filler cap. It's time to get the factory involved.

[jacob123]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Of course the chain is intact, if it wasn't it would be broken and they could have seen that by looking into the oil filler cap. It's time to get the factory involved.

How to get the factory invovled? I filed a complaints to BMWNA, but that doesn't seem to be very effective.

[draggy]

I would call and reference the service bulletin for this issue if you car is part of the models affected.

bulletin:
https://bmwtechnician.com/2017/08/02...-bmw-bulletin/

models affected:
https://bmwtechnician.com/2019/01/31...ain-7-70-list/

[RMachuca3d]

Bmwtexhnician posted that down in the comments

https://bmwtechnician.com/2019/01/31...ain-7-70-list/

[RMachuca3d]

Did they get your authorization to do the 2000$ diagnostic teardown or did they just willy nilly go for it without getting your approval?

That right there must be breaking some state law no?

[jacob123]

Thanks draggy and RMachuca3d for the info! Luckily they are telling me now that the claim was approved, so BMW will pay for the diagnosis. Huge thanks to all of you!

When they asked me for the teardown-diagnosis, they phrased it as the only way to file the warranty claim. So I couldn't do anything but agree if I want to go with the factory warranty route. It feels so much like a gambling and what's worse is I don't hold any cards on hand.

[mikesx4911]

Well let us know what the outcome is. I have the same car at 65k :l

[jacob123]

Will do, mine is at 69k right now.

[fluke]

No help to you now but I'll say it so others might benefit. You can check your oil filter for metal shavings by cutting the filter media open. In most engines, oil flows from the inside of the filter to the outside, so the shavings will be in the folds of the filter media when you cut it away from the center of the filter with a razor. Ferrous shavings will be shiny and stick to a magnet (cranks, rods), babbitt will be metallic but non magnetic you can also crush it with a hammer (bearing material), and plastic will crush but not be shiny. You should do this every time you check your oil, it's easy and free. You can google "aircraft oil filter inspection" for videos. Thankfully we don't have to cut our filter housings like most other cars, that's a pain and the tool dulls quickly and is hard to sharpen.

[jacob123]

Reporting back the outcome (@mikesx4911): the fix is eventually covered by the factory warranty, so I got lucky this time. Otherwise it might take about 3k-4k USD to fix including the almost 2k diagnosis fee. I still have no idea why the dealer would draim my oil and took off the oil pan and head gasket, possibly a way for them to charge the factory by doing it more "professionally"? But I wonder what would happen if the warranty is denied.

Mostly the warranty eligibility is surrounded on regular oil changes, so keep your receipt or order by hand if you go through warranties.