[alx.]

Hello people,

I know this has been covered under multiple threads but I am planning on purchasing a used 2013 F30 328i with the N20B20 heart. I am humbly requesting for a "sound check' of the below N20 that I am viewing and thinking of purchasing with 160k KM or 100k miles on the clock.

I know they have the diesel like sound at idle but is this sounding a bit rattly (TC due) to you?

Any input would be greatly appreciated

htt ps://vimeo.com/459966986

[sspade]

I think it sounds perfectly normal. Have owned two N20 powered F30s and Im familiar with the sound. Not quiet engines, thats for sure.

If concerned with timing chain... go ahead and inspect through oil fill port. Obviously make sure engine is off, but warm.

Chain and guides should feel relatively tight if you lightly prod with screw driver.

[alx.]

Originally Posted by sspade

I think it sounds perfectly normal. Have owned two N20 powered F30s and Im familiar with the sound. Not quiet engines, thats for sure.

If concerned with timing chain... go ahead and inspect through oil fill port. Obviously make sure engine is off, but warm.

Chain and guides should feel relatively tight if you lightly prod with screw driver.

Thank you sir. I ve been lurking on some of your n20 threads to be honest haha.

I ll do the oil cap chain test. I really loved how the F30 drives and handles, seems like a huge difference compared to the e90/e92.

What do you think is some preventive maintenance I should be on the lookout in case of a purchase?

[alx.]

I'm checking the car tomorrow, fingers crossed!

[328iX]

I personally don't like the sound of that engine, could be better. Or possibly the camera is too close making it appear really loud.

Also the "chain check through the oil cap" doesn't prove anything, if the engine is off there's no hydraulic pressure on the tensioner so of course the chain will be loose.

[alx.]

Originally Posted by 328iX

I personally don't like the sound of that engine, could be better. Or possibly the camera is too close making it appear really loud.

Also the "chain check through the oil cap" doesn't prove anything, if the engine is off there's no hydraulic pressure on the tensioner so of course the chain will be loose.

The chain was pretty tight to be fair, I know it depends as I've seen some cars with a loose chain and after a spirited drive the chain was tight.

What do you think could make that sound? The wastegate was recently replaced, maintenance is up to date and it throws no errors.

[alx.]

Update:

Well, I went ahead and checked the car codes and it showed 1C0401 and from what I could tell it's Engine oil pressure control: unstable.

Man I was really hyped up on this car, I'm guessing some of the guides broke off and are partially blocking the sump return, right? The guy used 5w50 in his last service, could this have anything to do with it?

I'm guessing there's no way to know for sure unless we pull out the oil sump.

I know some N43's threw this error due to a solenoid. Any input would really help.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by alx.

Update:

Well, I went ahead and checked the car codes and it showed 1C0401 and from what I could tell it's Engine oil pressure control: unstable.

Man I was really hyped up on this car, I'm guessing some of the guides broke off and are partially blocking the sump return, right? The guy used 5w50 in his last service, could this have anything to do with it?

I'm guessing there's no way to know for sure unless we pull out the oil sump.

I know some N43's threw this error due to a solenoid. Any input would really help.

5W-50 on a 328i???

Hahahaha he is either really dumb or trying to mask some serious issues.

The guides could be broken or the code could be directly related to using honey as oil causing excessive pressure.

I'd run

[alx.]

Originally Posted by 328iX

5W-50 on a 328i???

Hahahaha he is either really dumb or trying to mask some serious issues.

The guides could be broken or the code could be directly related to using honey as oil causing excessive pressure.

I'd run

Yeah, ended up not buying the car. Found another one with the timing chain done in 2018 + oil pump chain, new oil pan and full service history. I'll check it out this weekend and will revert.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by 328iX

possibly the camera is too close making it appear really loud.

The camera is placed close to the injectors, which is the loudest source of noise. Those sound normal. To hear if there's timing chain noise the camera needs to be on the opposite side of the engine, with someone in the car revving it. Timing chain noise is a high pitched whine that goes up in pitch with the RPMs.

[alx.]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The camera is placed close to the injectors, which is the loudest source of noise. Those sound normal. To hear if there's timing chain noise the camera needs to be on the opposite side of the engine, with someone in the car revving it. Timing chain noise is a high pitched whine that goes up in pitch with the RPMs.

Thank you sir, the engine did sound normal but the oil pressure error threw me off course.