[Jimmert]

I think there is, the chain design did change and you can see through the oil fill hole.

But I agree with previous statements, if you chain and guide rails are fine today, just replace the tensioner alone, and probably you are good to go for a really long time.

[Kretch]

Originally Posted by Jimmert

I think there is, the chain design did change and you can see through the oil fill hole.

But I agree with previous statements, if you chain and guide rails are fine today, just replace the tensioner alone, and probably you are good to go for a really long time.

Yes, right after I posted I remembered reading about the chain actually looking different. I believe the middle portion of the chain is now 1 thicker piece rather than 2 thinner pieces stuck together - correct me if I'm wrong.

I love the car and knew about the timing issue when I purchased it. The amount of noise that the engine makes when healthy is unsettling for someone not used to it. Some peace of mind would be nice

[sassbs]

Hey. Just did my chain this past monday
2014 328i xdrive 127,000km

For the past 2 years my mechanic has warned me that there is a little play with the chain/guide rails but changing isn’t required. When I brought it in last Friday, they called me straight away and said we didn’t do the oil change and you absolutely need the chain done!

$3060 taxes in (Canadian)! They did the oil change and changed the serpentine belt as well.

I’ve owned the car for 6 years now and this is the first major repair I’ve done. So I’ve been blessed.
The car runs great now! Night and day difference and I’m very happy. Timing is great, responsive, drives like new. Money sucks but I’m glad I got it done before chain slipped and something catastrophic occurred.

Oh and the ticking from n20 engines isn’t as loud now

[Kretch]

Originally Posted by sassbs

Hey. Just did my chain this past monday
2014 328i xdrive 127,000km

For the past 2 years my mechanic has warned me that there is a little play with the chain/guide rails but changing isn’t required. When I brought it in last Friday, they called me straight away and said we didn’t do the oil change and you absolutely need the chain done!

$3060 taxes in (Canadian)! They did the oil change and changed the serpentine belt as well.

I’ve owned the car for 6 years now and this is the first major repair I’ve done. So I’ve been blessed.
The car runs great now! Night and day difference and I’m very happy. Timing is great, responsive, drives like new. Money sucks but I’m glad I got it done before chain slipped and something catastrophic occurred.

Oh and the ticking from n20 engines isn’t as loud now

From my what I've read, the ticking noise being quieter is likely due to fresh oil or possibly a different weight.
I'm curious what they saw/heard that made the problem more urgent. Thanks for the info!

[Chamonix]

My son has a 2015 328i X drive.Sport Line. N26 engine
Chain/motor suddenly got "noisy" and he parked it earlier in the summer. Then I heard about the N20/N26/Timing chain issue.
Now I am taking it down to local BMW dealership, to find out what it will cost , to hopefully just replace chain tensioner, maybe new timing chain? .

Motor still turns over, but we haven't been driving it. Dealership is 1 hour 30 minutes away so not taking any chances on driving it. Flatbed to dealership.
Date in service was 08/28/2015. We bought it as a CPO car from a BMW dealer in 2018 with 24,000 miles. It now has only 72,000 miles on it.
Would this issue be covered by the CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT :N20/N26 TIMING/OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN...? See NHTSA link below.
Hopefully new timing chain and tensioner, might be covered, though one person said with nylon parts loose in motor from tensioner failure it may be a ticking time bomb, to fail again.

edit,
Just watched the video regarding warranty coverage for SULEV BMWs, that have adopted California Emissions Control Warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles. Well Vermont is an SULEV State. Any chance I can get the BMW dealer to cover this repair?
ps. Added the hood placard showing a SULEV vehicle

[TopQuark]

At that mileage, check if the noise is coming from the passenger bottom side of the engine. It could just be the wastegate actuator that usually fail first. If this is the case, adjust as necessary. It's a simple fix.

[Syfres]

2014 328i with almost 143k miles and still original timing chain. Oil changes every 5-7500k miles with liqui moly. Also running BM3 stage 2.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Chamonix

My son has a 2015 328i X drive.Sport Line. N20 engine
Chain/motor suddenly got "noisy" and he parked it earlier in the summer. Then I heard about the N20/Timing chain issue.
Now I am taking it down to local BMW dealership, to find out what it will cost , to hopefully just replace chain tensioner, maybe new timing chain? .

Motor still turns over, but we haven't been driving it. Dealership is 1 hour 30 minutes away so not taking any chances on driving it. Flatbed to dealership.
Date in service was 08/28/2015. We bought it as a CPO car from a BMW dealer in 2018 with 24,000 miles. It now has only 72,000 miles on it.
Would this issue be covered by the CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT :N20/N26 TIMING/OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN...? See NHTSA link below.

Just wondered if we have a chance with this BMW dealership to get them to cover this repair. Hopefully new timing chain and tensioner, though one person said with nylon parts loose in motor from tensioner failure it may be a ticking time bomb, to fail again.

I believe the maximum claim period is below 150K miles and 10 years. But it depends on the state the car is registered in. Only certain states have that extended remedy from BMW, and the details also vary. The dealer has the option to request from BMW NA permission to repair it if your car missed any deadlines, but very very unlikely it would get approved.

[Chamonix]

fe7565
Thanks everyone for advice. Will try the SULEV angle , Vermont is a State that has adopted the California Emissions Standard for SULEV vehicles.
So will pursue that when I get to the BMW dealership this week.


AAA Premium should pay for the tow to the dealership.

[Chamonix]

Another question. This 2015 328iX drive car will be loaded on a flatbed, and battery is good, so we can turn on ignition.
What is the safe procedure to get this all wheel drive car on the flatbed ?
Should we have wheel dollies, to get the car on the flatbed?
Don't want to start, turn over the engine until the timing chain issue is looked at.

Will look in the manual to review procedure to put car in Neutral, but worried if that involves starting the engine.

Thanks

[Billfitz]

SULEV only applies to N26.

[Chamonix]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

SULEV only applies to N26.

My 328i xdrive with an N26 engine, is a SULEV, if that was directed to me. I had previously posted it had an N20 engine, but then we looked "under the hood". Here is the placard under the hood.

[Billfitz]

Now you have to consult your SULEV warranty. The timing chain is covered for some but not all model years.

[Chamonix]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Now you have to consult your SULEV warranty. The timing chain is covered for some but not all model years.

Yes, I have a print out of the SULEV parts that are covered.
Do I have to do any special procedure to have this X drive car pulled up on a flatbed? Do I have to start the engine, to put the transmission in neutral?
I don't want to start or even turn over the motor as the timing chain may have a broken tensioner, more engine damage.

[Billfitz]

The car cannot be put into neutral with the engine off without crawling underneath to release a bolt.

[Chamonix]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The car cannot be put into neutral with the engine off without crawling underneath to release a bolt.

That's what I thought. May have to chance starting the engine again, to put it in Neutral. Risky, but my son parked the car, and motor was still running.

[Chamonix]

Well my son's 2015 328i Xdrive went to the Vermont dealership today.
Car was on a flatbed, and when we got there I wasn't going to chance starting the motor to get it in neutral, and off the flatbed.
So one of their mechanics, came out with a socket wrench, jacked up the front of the car, then reached under the transmission, to put the car in neutral.
It finally rolled off the flatbed.

The Service writer, said they had had 5 or 6 SULEV BMWs come in with N20, or N26 engines, and BMW USA had covered the repairs, so keeping fingers crossed for new timing chain and tensioner..This car has only 72,000 miles on it.

[Chamonix]

Good news ! BMW USA will cover the replacement Timing chain, and tensioner for this N26 Motor. This is a SULEV car, registered in a SULEV state, Vermont.
There is other work, brake work the dealership also listed to be done, but that will be on our coin. Probably at an independent shop though.

[fe7565]

Great news! Glad it worked out for you. I just did my own rear brake pads, fairly easy. And did rotor change a few years ago, DIY again. Easy.

Note: they should change the oil pump chain, etc as well. That suppsoed to be part of the entire remedy.

[Chamonix]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Great news! Glad it worked out for you. I just did my own rear brake pads, fairly easy. And did rotor change a few years ago, DIY again. Easy.

Note: they should change the oil pump chain, etc as well. That suppsoed to be part of the entire remedy.

Yes I will be on them to change the oil pump chain too. Probably have the brake rotors/pads done at the same time, as the car sat outside all summer, not being driven, and rotors are badly rusted.

The Service writer told me that if the car had been registered in a State that is not part of the "State of California regulation" SULEV, BMW USA wouldn't have covered the timing chain work.