[jayuuey]

Does the dealer charge to inspect a suspected timing chain noise? Im also coming up on 7yrs 7k miles. No slack in the chain but the morning whine after cold start is noticeable.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by sspade

You do...

In most cases, a whine will be present prior to failure (for hundreds, if not thousands of miles).

Also, you can check timing chain for slack with engine warm (but off).

If you hear loud whining or see/feel excessive slack in chain (through oil cap)... take to dealer for thorough inspection. They have a procedure and tool to measure timing chain elongation.

[Yiolli]

Originally Posted by MyEvo8u

You know what's funny about the high pitch noise, I heard it way back in the day and had the car looked at, they said it was nothing and for a while it went away but i would notice it every so often for a little while.... Wonder how much that is related.

When did you hear that noise? I've noticed a high pitched whine seldom lay tight after pulling out of the driveway and speeding up in first gear. Then It's gone until a few months later

[sspade]

Originally Posted by jayuuey

Does the dealer charge to inspect a suspected timing chain noise? Im also coming up on 7yrs 7k miles. No slack in the chain but the morning whine after cold start is noticeable.

Thanks.

Wouldn't hurt to call and ask.

I suspect they will want an hours labor... if they find anything wrong covered under warranty, that should be waived.

Might be a good idea to book an oil change or other minor service and ask to check while they have it on the rack.

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by jayuuey

Does the dealer charge to inspect a suspected timing chain noise? Im also coming up on 7yrs 7k miles. No slack in the chain but the morning whine after cold start is noticeable.
Thanks.

If I were you, I would go to one or two BMW dealers, inform them the reason for the visit, mention that you hear the noise after cold start and you suspect the time chain issues.
They will have to write all of that in the Service Order. You will probably pay for that diagnose. In case BMW doesn't want to repair, and you eventually have problems in the near future, you created records that maybe helpful when discussing with BMW and your dealers.

[HKHR2]

How common is this issue, and what can be done in terms of preventative maintenance to avoid it, if anything

[obert]

Originally Posted by HKHR2

How common is this issue, and what can be done in terms of preventative maintenance to avoid it, if anything

Well the poll and the comments of this happening to people is the only proof on here of how common it is. The only way to prevent this is to change the timing chain and guides to the updated version.

Some people will never experience this issue and others have blown motors from it.

[amancuso]

I've not seen this happen on late build 2015s or 2016 cars. Wonder if it's an age thing or if the updated components (1/2015) really did the trick.

[zain0117]

That sucks man,
I work in a bmw dealer and most of the early n20's are getting goodwilled.
This means bmw is supplying the engine and the customer pays 3,000 for labor to install it. The early n20s are trash and hopefully they do something about it sooner or later and you get compensated

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by amancuso

I've not seen this happen on late build 2015s or 2016 cars. Wonder if it's an age thing or if the updated components (1/2015) really did the trick.

The updated components were installed starting from March 2015. Also, I believe I read on this forum or somewhere that a post built March 2015 x3 with the N20 was having timing chain issues with the updated parts.

It seems all we can do is put the finger in the dyke and pray.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by zain0117

That sucks man,
I work in a bmw dealer and most of the early n20's are getting goodwilled.
This means bmw is supplying the engine and the customer pays 3,000 for labor to install it. The early n20s are trash and hopefully they do something about it sooner or later and you get compensated

Would you go so far as to say that "early N20's that are tuned are ticking time bombs?"

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

The updated components were installed starting from March 2015. Also, I believe I read on this forum or somewhere that a post built March 2015 x3 with the N20 was having timing chain issues with the updated parts.

It seems all we can do is put the finger in the dyke and pray.

OK I was just curious, it really doesn't stop me from driving/enjoying the car. FWIW I had an M62 for years, and they had a similar problem, though the early N20s make it look bullet proof.

[sjbender]

There is a class action in Canada as well, not too sure if it is the same case as the US.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...653043233.html

[Yiolli]

My car is a 2015 but I'm not sure what the production date is. Easiest way to check ?

[tardboi]

Originally Posted by Yiolli

My car is a 2015 but I'm not sure what the production date is. Easiest way to check ?

Look up a VIN decoder and it can give you production date. This one may work for you, however it gives my VIN a bunch of null values even though it used to work.

https://decoder.bvzine.com/

[eddymerckx3]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

The updated components were installed starting from March 2015.

Respectfully, from where, precisely, are u drawing this info?? I know many have indicated that there was a part # change in early 2015, but I have not seen the change narrowed to March 2015? Please share....? Thanks!

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by eddymerckx3

Respectfully, from where, precisely, are u drawing this info?? I know many have indicated that there was a part # change in early 2015, but I have not seen the change narrowed to March 2015? Please share....? Thanks!

It is in this thread.

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by JosephLTS

I recently learned about the problem with the timing chain after buying it two weeks ago. Is there anything I can do about it in advance or can I talk to the dealer who I bought it from about it more in advance?

I have about 1 year and 15,000 more miles til my 7 years/70k is up. What should I do before then?

If you're in CA you have an N26. The TC and it's components are covered under your SULEV warranty which is longer than 7/70 AFAIK.

[eddymerckx3]

Originally Posted by amancuso

If you're in CA you have an N26. The TC and it's components are covered under your PZEV warranty which is longer than 7/70 AFAIK.

...pretty sure TC is covered under SULEV only for 2016+ N26 vehicles

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by amancuso

If you're in CA you have an N26. The TC and it's components are covered under your PZEV warranty which is longer than 7/70 AFAIK.

Hmm we have the N26 in Oregon also. Are you certain the TC and related components fall under the PZEV warranty? Source?

[zain0117]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Would you go so far as to say that "early N20's that are tuned are ticking time bombs?"

yes, even non tuned ones.
the early n63's and n20's are garbage and are def ticking timebombs. however the later n20's are great and are almost bulletproof besides for like common stuff like ofhg and other common stuff.

[natesi]

Why would the timing chain be covered under the SULEV warranty? It's not part of the emissions system.

[natesi]

Here's the link to the document for the alleged n20 models that have the bad timing chain. https://bmwtechnician.com/2019/01/31...ain-7-70-list/

In regards to when your car was manufactured, just look in the driver's door jam -- the date is listed there. No need for an online decoder.