[gameson]

My car is build 5/2015 per the vin decoder, so it passed the 2/2015 marked, i assume the new chain, rail, and guide is installed on the car.

Is it okay to replace the tensioner when the timing chain guide and rail is already 6 years old? I mean i assume the plastic has deteriorated over time and with a much stiffer tensioner, i am afraid it may break it?

Any advise?

Thanks.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by keano16

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

There is no coverage from class action settlement past 100k miles.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by gameson

My car is build 5/2015 per the vin decoder, so it passed the 2/2015 marked, i assume the new chain, rail, and guide is installed on the car.

Is it okay to replace the tensioner when the timing chain guide and rail is already 6 years old? I mean i assume the plastic has deteriorated over time and with a much stiffer tensioner, i am afraid it may break it?

Any advise?

Thanks.

The new tensioner should not exert additional force on the TC, it just takes up slang hence the TC works within operating spec/play to reduce stress on TC and/or plastic parts.

Having said that, dealer foreman and bmwtechnician.com (a dealer tech) asserted that tensioner does not help much.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Having said that, dealer foreman and bmwtechnician.com (a dealer tech) asserted that tensioner does not help much.

so that means even with a new guide and rail, there is still a chance of failure, albeit smaller chance compare to previous version?

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by gameson

so that means even with a new guide and rail, there is still a chance of failure, albeit smaller chance compare to previous version?

Unfortunately BMWNA never discloses the N20/N26 TC failure model, so it is hard to say ....

I tend to think that any N20/N26 built after 2/2015 has smaller chance to fail than 2/2015 and prior.

[eddymerckx3]

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 ?

2016 N26 SULEV vehicles include TIMING CHAIN coverage for up to 15yrs/150K miles....depending in which state you are registered. Look it up in your warranty.

[VibesF30]

Hello guys so I’ve owned my 328i for almost 2 years now and just now suffering of oil pressure and timing chain issues. Car sounds fine, runs fine and I do regular oil changes every 3k miles however recently the car has gotten “low oil pressure” warning occasionally, took it to the best euro shop I know “Eurofed” and was notified my timing chain is too loose and I should just get a new motor. However a few have let me know I can just get a new timing chain and I should be fine but I’m worried since it’s already dropping in oil pressure I do maybe need a new motor. I still owe on the car unfortunately and was wondering what’s the next best steps for me to proceed. Car still drives fine but it’s my only car as of rn. Was thinking I may just sell and use the money to pay of the loan as it’s the only option I have. Thanks in advance.

Btw I drive a 2013 bmw 328i 74k miles with the old guides auto start/stop is coded off. I do regular oil changes previous owners did okay but I do beat on the car a lot.

[natesi]

So you've been driving around with low oil pressure warnings?

[VibesF30]

Originally Posted by natesi

So you've been driving around with low oil pressure warnings?

I got a 2nd car since I first got that warning on my bmw I recently sold it to help pay off loan but have been driving and fixing other bullshit on the bmw again with no warnings the past 2 weeks getting ready to sell the car.

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by VibesF30

I got a 2nd car since I first got that warning on my bmw I recently sold it to help pay off loan but have been driving and fixing other bullshit on the bmw again with no warnings the past 2 weeks getting ready to sell the car.

Will you disclose the oil pressure warnings to the buyer? Or the diagnosis from your indy? I hope so...

[VibesF30]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Will you disclose the oil pressure warnings to the buyer? Or the diagnosis from your indy? I hope so...

Depends on the next steps I take.A friend said he would take it with the blown motor off my hands for a good price and part out the car.
Or I could get a new timing chain, tensioner and oil pump (ext) and essentially fix the car.
I would be an asshole to not disclose that information even though that’s probably why the dealer gave me such a good deal for this car.
The problem is no proper diagnoses was done at Eurofed besides pulling on my chain and saying it’s too loose he recommended since I already got that message once I should just get a new motor or it’s a risk to just re time it.
Was just asking here what’s the next best steps for me to take to not lose a ton of money.
Was going to sell the car no matter which route I take in the end as I simply don’t feel comfortable driving it.

[gameson]

What is the part number to buy the timing chain test kit? If it’s not expensive, i would like to buy it. Thanks.

[bavarianride]

There is 7 yrs/70k miles N20/N26 timing chain ELW that may cover your build date(not 100% sure), so ask service to read your key data to confirm.

Originally Posted by gnolivos

My n26 328xi has build date of 8/2016
So it seems to fall outside of the "faulty guide rail design".

I'm having some early vibration at around 2000rpm and the very experienced euro shop took it in for 2 weeks and has concluded this seems like it could be early signs of the TC failure.

1) Is this even possible given my build date, and
2) would BMW diagnose and fix if it WAS indeed the TC failure beginning to show up ?

I even wonder if the standard test method would identify the issue since it seems to be in the very early stages (but I notice every little vibration in my car, and the experienced foreman agreed 100% with me something is not quite right). We even did A/B comparison driving between two F30s at the shop.

[Whatsupguy]

Originally Posted by gnolivos

My n26 328xi has build date of 8/2016
So it seems to fall outside of the "faulty guide rail design".

I'm having some early vibration at around 2000rpm and the very experienced euro shop took it in for 2 weeks and has concluded this seems like it could be early signs of the TC failure.

1) Is this even possible given my build date, and
2) would BMW diagnose and fix if it WAS indeed the TC failure beginning to show up ?

I even wonder if the standard test method would identify the issue since it seems to be in the very early stages (but I notice every little vibration in my car, and the experienced foreman agreed 100% with me something is not quite right). We even did A/B comparison driving between two F30s at the shop.

I have the same year and model as you and I don't think we are plagued by the timing chain issues (Jan 2016 build). I have replied to you in the past as I have a vibration/shudder sweeping through 1200/1300rpm. It is not violent but definitely there. My indy suspects it is transmission related and he recommends adding a tranny additive (Lubegard) to see if it helps reduce/eliminate it. I will be doing that shortly, just waiting on the additive to arrive.

[aL_bmwf30]

Originally Posted by Whatsupguy

I have the same year and model as you and I don't think we are plagued by the timing chain issues (Jan 2016 build). I have replied to you in the past as I have a vibration/shudder sweeping through 1200/1300rpm. It is not violent but definitely there. My indy suspects it is transmission related and he recommends adding a tranny additive (Lubegard) to see if it helps reduce/eliminate it. I will be doing that shortly, just waiting on the additive to arrive.

Same here. I have a 2013 BMW N26 72K Miles and I get slight vibration at 1200-1400RPM sometimes. I changed spark plugs. I will scan for codes soon and change coils as I am very handy.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by aL_bmwf30

Same here. I have a 2013 BMW N26 72K Miles and I get slight vibration at 1200-1400RPM sometimes. I changed spark plugs. I will scan for codes soon and change coils as I am very handy.

My car build date 05/2015 also has this vibration at low rpm only. I thought first it was engine mount, but after asking question here, it’s not engine mount.

I am gonna see if changing plugs and/or adding transmission additive would solve this. The plug is due anyway since i want to run bm3 stage 2.

[gameson]

I can feel the vibrations inside the cabin, but it goes away when I accelerate, so only when it’s idle.

[dave14x28]

Originally Posted by gameson

What is the part number to buy the timing chain test kit? If it’s not expensive, i would like to buy it. Thanks.

Check out post 1108 on pg 51 of this thread - part# and procedure for checking the chain elongation are there .

[gameson]

is it possible to see if the newer N20 car has a newer timing chain by VIN decoder?

i mean the timing chain repair kit has its own part number, i would think at least the new timing chain guide can be traced through some database (beside guessing that production date after 2/15 it should be fine, mine is 5/2015)

thanks.

[Phoenix704]

Originally Posted by gnolivos

Ok that's entirely the opposite of my situation actually. Seems everyone describes a somewhat different problem. I hope we can all get solutions.

I think that may just be the nature of a 4 cylinder engine. Mine has done that since I purchased it at 7k. I also tried changing plugs to even it out.

It's especially bad for a few seconds when the A/C kicks on…

The N20 is a noisy loud engine that vibrates…

[StuKatz]

when shopping for wife's new car last Fall, these type of posts dissuaded us from buying anything with the 2.0 turbo, precisely because of the timing chain issue.

bought at 2012 E91 with the N52. Last model to have the NA engine. couldn't be happier with it!

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Phoenix704

I think that may just be the nature of a 4 cylinder engine. Mine has done that since I purchased it at 7k. I also tried changing plugs to even it out.

It's especially bad for a few seconds when the A/C kicks on…

The N20 is a noisy loud engine that vibrates…

You're not wrong. Ive had two of them with similar symptoms. Have never been able to pinpoint the issue… particularly the tremble with turning on AC.