Here is the list of cars that have the 7/70 timing chain extension
-
Recent Comments
vic san on N20 vanos unit broken Mark on N55 intake camshaft beari… JC on F30 A/C noise Jordan on New B engine mechanical water… jmiddle204 on X3 4×4 transfer case
bmwtechnician 
Hello and thank you for your various articles on the n20 engine. I live in France with an x1 e84 xdrive 20i (end of 2012) which does not seem to be on your list. It currently has 165,000 km without any chain problems.
I am quite surprised to see that in Europe there is no one who has reported this problem, whereas with you in the United States it seems very frequent.
Would there be a difference between our 2 continents with regard to production? Or maybe the fuel that would be implicated!
Is the fact that my vehicle is not on your list reassuring?
Thank you for your answers.
LikeLike
You are correct almost all the problem are in the States,,,all the engines are built in the same plant,,,there is a good chance that the fuel is the cause of these problems,,,,yes it is a good thing your car is not on the list
LikeLike
Here the vehicle was driven only at SP98. Are there many vehicles that run on ethanol in the United States? The problem could be caused by the fuel destroying the plastic guide. I ask because here ethanol is not too widespread and should not represent more than 1% of vehicles on the gasoline market.
LikeLike
This could be a fuel issue,,,but BMW is not saying anything about the problem.
LikeLike
It is really a shame that BMW does not communicate on the subject, especially since here in Europe the problem is not repeated while in the United States it seems widespread. There has to be a reason. It’s a bit like on the list, the block of 20i and 28i is quite close, so why one seems more impacted than the other (the higher torque?).
LikeLike
BMW like to keep some things to them self’s,,,,they don’t want to release any information if they don’t have to.
LikeLike
How can fuel be the cause? The timing chain & guides are bathed in engine oil, not fuel. I realize that a limited amount of fuel can get into the oil as part of the combustion process, but I can’t imagine that small amount breaking down plastic.
LikeLike
We are just have an idea that it is fuel related due to other countries don’t have the same problem as we do,,,and we have different fuel requirement then other countries,,,,so what might be happen is the the fuel burn is not as great as other countries and causing more stress on the timing chain causing it to break down.
LikeLike
Hello question I have 428xi n26 sulev f32 and I was looking at my key reader report and where it says Software version/updates section: I-level current integration level of vehicle – F020-19-07-539
Software update available -yes
what does that mean.
LikeLike
So your car software level is July of 2019,,,,this is when it was last updated,,,so your car has fairly new software.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your advice. Your really helpful : So how do I know when it’s time for a update. Like how does this whole update thing work why didn’t I have this update system on my 2009 328xi
LikeLike
The update can only be done at the dealer,,,you will only need a update if there is some kind of BMW recall on software or if at anytime your car might need some other repair which might call for a update for the repairs.,,,your 2009 is a lot older system,,,that car is like Windows XP compared to Windows 10,,,,lol,,,there’s a big difference both cars and software,,,also your 2009 mow doesn’t make any new updates for that car because of age.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your advice. Your really helpful : So how do I know when it’s time for a update. Like how does this whole update thing work why didn’t I have this update system on my 2009 328xi
LikeLike
It is really a shame that BMW does not communicate on the subject, especially since here in Europe the problem is not repeated while in the United States it seems widespread. There has to be a reason. It’s a bit like on the list, the block of 20i and 28i is quite close, so why one seems more impacted than the other (the higher torque?).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just purchased a 2016 228i xDrive Cabriolet (manufactured in Germany) with 46k kilometers for my wife. It has the N26 engine, factory warranty has expired. Two questions: Should I be concerned about the timing chain/guides issue in her vehicle? Should I proactively replace the timing chain tensioner, part number 11318685091 (replaces part number 11317567680)? It appears to be a relatively simple, .5 hr swap.
Thanks,
Anxious Canadian first time BMW owner!
LikeLike
You could replace the tensioner if you like,,,you should be ok since your car was probably built in 2015.,,,,you could ask your local dealership on what they think about your car and the timing chain issue.
LikeLike
The production date of the car was 2015-11-17. We purchased it from a BMW dealership, they didn’t mention any potential issues with the timing chain components. I don’t expect we will put more than 5-6k kilometers per year on it. Hopefully it will prove to be a non issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No car manufacturer is going to tell you the problems with their car,,,they are just worried about the sale of that car,,,,not what is wrong with that car
LikeLike
I got this issue and luckily BMW covered it 100%. Four months later I got a drive train malfunction that turned on then went away after a day. Is this related to the new engine I got? What are related problems? What should I do next?
LikeLike
I would go to the dealer and have the engine scanned to see what fault came up,,,better to be safe then sorry
LikeLike
Hey,
So I have an US 2013 BMW sdrive28i with 109k miles build date 02/2013. Looked at my timing chain and there seems to be some play in the chain. I assume it will need to be replaced just because it’s higher in milage but do you think BMW would warranty it out knowing that they’ve said it was lifetime of the vehicle?
LikeLike
No I don’t think it is covered,,,and what lifetime of the vehicle are you talking about.
LikeLike
I bought 2012 X1 with 85,000km and after reading different posts makes me worried about the timing chain issue, I called the dealer they said there is no recall on this vehicle except driver side air bag! But the list post on this forum shows E84 X1 xDrive28i with N20 is a recall!
Please advice me how can I go about with the local dealer? Now also I’m sitting 3 months over then 7/70 mark!
I live in Alberta, Canada
LikeLike
It all depends are your production date of your car,,,you can also tell the dealer about this bulletin
LikeLike
I personally know of one person that had a total loss on their X1 engine in Saskatchewan back in 2016 before BMW Canada acknowledged a widespread issue with the timing chain on the N20. My 2013 X3 28i timing chain was replaced by BMW (no cost to me) in January 2019 at 107,000 km. I reside in Alberta as well. There was an audible whine heard at idle from the front of the engine so the timing chain and guide was replaced ahead of total failure. Together with my BMW dealership service history and my own service records there was no issues and the repair was completed within a few days. Loaner vehicle was included.
This is not a recall. Rather it is no cost extended warranty in Canada. 112,000 km / 7 years. So I was just under by kilometers and by time (Delivery was Aug 2012). I fear that your 2012 X1 is now past the 7 year warranty limit. It is still worth inquiring about at your local dealership.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My daughters car had the timing chain issue N20. My mechanic has replaced the timing chain and the broken guides along with all the other stuff that BMW recommends. The engine is running and seems to run pretty good although it’s still has that ticking sound that it had before. Maybe not as loud as before but still noisy.
He believes that it’s not enough oil pressure in the tensioner therefore is not tight as it should be. Is there a way to test this? Or do you think it’s just possible plastic bits of junk in the sump pump pick up?
LikeLike
Yes you can check the oil pressure,,,also when the mechanic performed the timing chain repairs the oil pan was off and hopefully he checked the oil pump screen for and debris and cleaned it out
LikeLike
How do you check the oil pressure? And is the tension just spring our does it rely on oil pressure as well?
LikeLike
You have to have a special oil pressure gauge and you remove the oil pressure sensor and screw it in to the engine to check pressure,,,,the tensioner is oil feed
LikeLike
Where is the sensor located at?
LikeLike
It’s behind and below the oil filter housing area
LikeLike
what does performing automatic calibration on 2014 BMW 428xi sulve mean? How does this help the car in what way? Also, I keep getting this code P3195 Radiator coolant temperature signal stuck high, BMW fixed the radiator but this code keeps coming on and off, some days it stays on some days it doesn’t stay on. What can be the issue, they have fixed it twice already
LikeLike
I don’t know what the automatic calibration means on a sulve.,,,on this P3195 code that isn’t a factory code so I don’t know what it means,,,you said BMW fixed the radiator what did they do to the radiator,,,,did they replace it,,,,you could have a t-stat issue causing a temperature problem with the radiator,,,or a water pump issue,,,,I need BMW codes,,, not P codes
LikeLike
If I reach my finger in through oil filler cap with the engine off and cold, is it normal for there to be some slack in the timing chain on an N20? I assume the tensioner is operated by oil pressure and it’s normal to feel some slack when the engine is not running? Thanks.
LikeLike
That’s is correct
LikeLike
Earlier this week I took my 2012 328i to dealership because check engine light came on. My service guy called and told me to sell the car immediately because oil wasn’t circulating through the engine and eventually it would seize. He said the technician found this out by putting a scope in the engine but didn’t explain it any further, nor did he address what the diagnostic code was for the sensor being on. Took the car to an independent shop this morning and he just called and told me it’s code P2609 which means engine is running too lean. He said he didn’t see anything wrong with the oil circulating in the car. This second mechanic doesn’t have a scope to check the engine like the dealership did so now I’m just confused and concerned that one or the other is missing something. Can the timing chain issue be identified through scoping?
LikeLike
I don’t know who to believe the P2609 is for intake heater circuit which doesn’t make any sense on your car,,,and now the dealership telling you he took a borescope and told you no oil circulating that is hard to do when you can see the oil pump or the oil pressure with out hooking up a oil pressure gauge,,,this all doesn’t make any sense to me,,,,the dealer should of told you what faults the car has and what is causing the faults.
LikeLike
2013 BMW X1 E84 WITH N2O MOTOR 11400ML
I have done my timing chain after finish car starts up runs but would not idle until cel come on. check got vanos dtc come to relies i switch the cam gears when i install them so i correct it after veh cranks but no start check timming over like 3 time it good. no dtc but it complete its combustion cycle i check for spark, fuel and compression was reading ok on all 4 cylinder but there black smoke and strong gas smell out the exhaust.I allso found wire harness for dinantronics box which is pigger back to DME was rubbing under the eng. cover and expose some wires and by moving around stuff they was rubbing together and i had the battery connect at that time too….need some help please thank in advance
LikeLike
Ok,,,,you said you smell gas and black smoke out of the exhaust, and you have wiring harness damage to Dinan piggy back,,,I would think this is your problem the harness is damaged and can be causing your problem with the fuel injectors dumping to much fuel into the engine,,,you can remove the spark plugs and see if they are fuel soaked to verify this problem,,,,I don’t know if you can remove the Dinan piggy back and put it back to stock.,,,I hope this helps
LikeLiked by 1 person
Update on my car was other human error wrong timing was locking the camshaft with lobs facing down, i correct it and veh stated up right away..THANKS for taking time to assess me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear it’s fixed
LikeLike
I remove the spark plugs all 4 complete soaked and i also remove the Dinan piggy back complete and connect harness direct to DME … I also replace the DME with use one [CLONE] still no start but i notice when i crack one of the injector line the fuel pressure is very low which normal be busting out the lines, fuel pump shaft is not broken and no DTC. The fuel pump tank pressure is good when i check but when i read the data for fuel rail its very low and drop right back to 0..
It goes from 0 – 8 kpa and back to 0 will cranking do you have any idea what that reading should be on the fuel rail.
LikeLike
Question,,,,,why did we replace the DME with a used one,,,that might be a problem,,,,a used DME can not be used because it is programmed and encoded to a different car,,,,what is wrong with your DME?
LikeLike
one of the plug had corroded pins due to leaking pigtail from that Dinan harness and i got the DME clone
LikeLike
Question,,,what is a DME clone,,,,is it a used DME?,,,,or a aftermarket replacement DME.
LikeLike
Cloning means making full copy of ISN files from original DME and copy it over to use DME
LikeLike
So what happens if the ISN files are corrupted and you just copied it over to the other DME…are the pins damaged on the original DME ,,,or are the connection on the harness damage,,,,we just had a car last mouth where the harness was damaged for the fuel injector signals causing fuel to dump,,,the harness was damaged on the connector for the DME,,,you might have to perform OHM test on the harness to make sure the harness and connections are good
LikeLike
I had 2014 328i and having no issue yet so far,but im concern about the timing chain since my car is on the list of having problems with the timing chain,i checked the vin number to see if there is a recall for that and did not see anything,what should i do to double check ?should i go to dealership and just tell them about this bulleti?
LikeLike
Yes go to the dealership and tell them about the issue and the bulletin.
LikeLike
Hello guys this post is really helpful , i own F22 2014 220i gulf specs its in the middle east the car has been serviced in the agency and never been informed about the chain issue , should i be concerned ? I cannot seize why the 320i has the issue however 220i should be similar engine N20 and not listed is it because of different KWH or what ? Do u recommend changing the tensioner as preventive maintenance?
LikeLiked by 1 person
BMW won’t tell us why some models have problems and some don’t,,,,it could be because of horsepower,,,,,you could replace tensioner if you want,,,,,it wouldn’t hurt anything
LikeLike
Thanks for the reply i think its 220i and 320i uses the exact engine N20 my F22 2014 car now has 105000kms since its not in the list , in general what do u advice me to do shall i just keep my ears alerted to sounds or u advise me to take to service center and maintain the chain so i can save the engine ? Thanks again
LikeLike
I would just pay attention to any abnormal whine noise,,,,there is no maintenance on the timing chain.
LikeLike
Maybe a stupid question but I noticed the f31 328i xdrive is mentioned on the form but not the rw ? I assume that the f31 328i RW could also be affected ?
Regards form sweden
LikeLike
Thanks from Sweden,,,,I never noticed that,,,,I would think the f31 RW would also be affected,,,,nobody understands this list from BMW there are a lot of car that are not listed with the same engines,,,BMW never told us why only these vehicles are listed on the bulletin.
LikeLike
Hi,
I’m not really sure it’s my 2012 BMW 320i (F30) probably produced from 05/2012 affected by this or not as its did not show in the list.
Thanks you!
LikeLike
If it is not on the list then it is not covered under that bulletin,,,but BMW does have some other programs,,,you need to go to the dealer and have your key remote reader performed and it will say if you are covered for any timing chain defects
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought a used 2012 528i with 109k miles about 4 months ago. The car has lost complete power and now I the drive train malfunction light on, engine light on, low oil pressure light on. I took it to the bmw for a diagnostic and they said that I’m just better off replacing the engine than trying to find out what is wrong with the car. Idk what to do at this point i’m devastated. I don’t want to sell the car because nobody is going to give me what I bought it for. Do you think it has to do something with the timing belt.
LikeLike
It’s hard to say what the problem is without see the car and performing some test,,,but it doesn’t sound good when the low oil pressure light came on,,,sound like something major happened internal inside the engine.
LikeLike
Hello,
I have a N20 Engine/ 328i April 2013 / F30, the dash states drivetrain malfunction and the check engine light went on. I ended up scanning and getting below codes. Any comments/tips on both, car only has 49k miles.
131501: Vanos: inlet, cold start not controllable
120408: Boost pressure control, cut off pressure rise blocked
LikeLike
The boost control fault is caused by the vanos fault,,,you need to check into the the vanos faults to see what’s going on.
LikeLike
Any suggestions on what to check on the Vanos for the 131501 code?
LikeLike
It’s hard to say without performing some test with a diagnostic equipment.
LikeLike
You think BMWNA would cover timing chain here if brought in for inspection? As there is a known TSB and the solenoid is VVT.
LikeLike
Nope,,,,it’s up to the dealership to make the call for BMW if they will fix the timing chain issue on your car under the TSB.
LikeLike
Not a good sign, had the same thing happen on 2013 X3. BMW replaced the motor and shipped it to us in AZ from Virginia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That wasn’t cheap for BMW
LikeLike
Hi, I have a 2014 BMW 428i X drive coupe. I still have under 70k miles and not reached 7 years. How do I approach the dealer saying I hear a noise and whatnot for them to fix it while it is still under warranty? I want to make sure this issue is fixed. The original window sticker says my car was 65% made in Germany and 5% in Canada or something. What about the rest? I have a SULEV vehicle so it’s definitely an N20 engine. Please help! Thank you!! Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, I had the whole transmission replaced at 42K miles when I bought it. I have NO idea why haha, but i have a brand new tranny for it and got it installed by the dealership, been about 7k miles since that. If that helps you with anything! Cheers
LikeLike
Ok,,,if you have a sulve then you have a N26 which is ok,,,you need to tell the dealership that you hear a abnormal whine from the engine area and hopefully they do something about this timing chain issue.
LikeLike
Hello! So for the E89 Z4 only the 28i N20 powered model is affected and not the 20i sDrive? Don’t they use the same spec N20 engine just with a slight bump in power for the 28i version?
Thanks in advance for your support!
LikeLike
Yes you are correct,,,why it is not on the list we don’t know,,,this list is something that BMW came up with and they didn’t tell us how they came about which car model and years
LikeLike
Hi i have an f34 320i gt xdrive with 97000km 04.07.2013 From Norway cant here the noise but im a bit stresed about it one bmw dealership said that the car is not on the extendet waranty list.Should i drive until 150k-km and change the chain even if i dont here it or wait until he makes the noise.If is x-drive does it get used faster then Rw.And why so many 328I afected and not so many 320i?
THNX
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi greatings from Norway i have also a Bmw 320i GT-xdrive with 97k-km i dont hear any winning on the chain.I dont find in your list f34 320i Gt from 07.2013 that means that is not afected or just is not on the list i called allso BMW-and they said that my car is not on the extendet waranty list.Im verry stresed with this timming chain issue every time when i go on the car i listen to the engine is like ridding a time bomb.I am paning to change the timming chain at 150k-km even if is not making the noise.And whi there so many 328i afected and 320i not does it matter if mine is a xdrive?does the chain is more under load fi the care is x-drive?
LikeLike
Hi,,,yes your car is not on the list but that doesn’t mean that it still has this problem,,,and since your car is 4 wheel drive the chain is not being used more it is the same on both 4 wheel drive and rear wheel drive,,,,now if you want to keep the vehicle it is a good idea to replace the timing chain and rails and oil pump chain for safety reasons.
LikeLike
Hi I’m planning to buy a second hand 2015 BMW X3 xDrive 28i (F25) and it’s about 65000 miles now. It looks like the car is on this recall list. Do I have to buy the extended warranty to get the timing chain replaced by BMW or the 7/70 warranty is for all bmw? Thanks!
LikeLike
Ok the 7/70 is a list and is only good up to 7yrs or 70000 miles,,,,if you want the timing chain to be covered past that time then you have to buy a extended warranty
LikeLike
Hi I live in California and i’m planning to buy a used 2015 bmw x3 xDrive28i (F25) then I saw the this post. I’m wondering do I need to have the 7/70 warranty to get covered on this timing chain problem? If so, can I buy the warranty for the used car now? Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello! I’m in california and I’m planning to buy a used 2015 BMW X3 xDrive 28i (F25). Seems like this is on the list. I’m wondering do I need to have the 7/70 warranty to get BMW covered on this timing chain issue? If so, can I buy the warranty for the used car now?
Thanks in advance for your support!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi I’m wondering do I need to have a 7/70 warranty to get BMW cover for this problem? If so, can i buy the warranty for a used car now? I’m planning to buy a used 2015 BMW X3 xDrive 28i and it’s in the list.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The 7 years/70000 miles extended limited warranty follows the VIN, so if the 2015 X3 is on the list, the N20/N26 engine will be covered.
LikeLike
Hello there. I have 2013 BMW X1 xdrive28i with 79,000 km on it. I am also concerned , like every other n20 owner, that it will grenade eventually. Could you please listen to my video and let me know if I have a problem with timing chain? Thank you in advance.
LikeLike
I would love to listen to your video,,,please send it
LikeLike
To my shame, I am not sure how to post video in your blog. Could you please guide me? Thank you in advance.
LikeLike
Don’t have any shame,,,,because I should be the one that has shame because I don’t know how to post a video on my own blog,,,I can post a video when I submit a blog but I don’t know how when someone is asking me question if that makes any sense.
LikeLike
Hi, I own a 2012 BMW X1 that recently developed a timing chain problem. Coasting to a stop the engine suddenly died and would not restart. I was told by a mechanic that the engine was done, simply by information from a scan. The engine was idling when it happened. is there a chance that he is wrong? Up to that point the engine was smooth as silk!! Everything else works perfectly at 176,000km. Its a shame to have to scrap the car. Any thoughts!!!
Thanks.
LikeLike
It’s a possibility that the motor could be saved,,,,but it would take a lot of money and time,,,there has been some people of done their own DIY and fixed the engine depending on what is damaged,,,if it is just the timing chain,rails , oil pump and hopefully the bearing aren’t bad and no damage to the pistons and valves the repairs might not be that bad,,,,you have to realize you have 176k miles which is a lot.,,,and what about the transmission is that next to fail?
LikeLike
The car has 176,000 kilometers or roughly 110,000 miles. everything in the vehicle works extremely well. I have maintained it meticulously. It has never been in an accident and the body is in excellent shape. I hate to take it to the junk yard. This will likely be the first and last BMW I will ever own. it’s really a shame that BMW does not step up. Unfortunately for me, I was not informed about an extended free warrantee on the chain and guides, BMW kept it quiet. The warrantee was in place until 2019. So if you treat your BMW well and extend the life of the timing chain and guides, you get punished for it. SHAME ON BMW!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m sorry,,,and I hate how BMW has handled the whole problem with the N20-N26 engine and timing chain issue,,,I understand your frustration with BMW and how they didn’t take care of this known problem.
LikeLike
Robert, is your location in Canada, given km instead of miles are used in your post?
In US the N20/N26 timing chain extended limited warranty is 7 years/70000 miles, so what is extended coverage available in your country?
LikeLike
176000km is only 110000 miles, that is a shame that such a nice compact power house(N20/N26 that is) can go bust in such young age, BMW really should step up and recall all the affected N20/N26 with defective parts.
LikeLike
I know there has been a lot of people complaining to BMW NA about this problem,,,I think there is a case where people are trying to sue BMW over the timing chain issue,,,one of the problems is none of the other BMW have this problem only the N20-N26
LikeLike
N20/N26 is an attemptof BMWAG to reclaim 4-cylinder glory from the past, e.g. 2002 M10 4-cylinder from 1962-1988, and N20/N26 has so many attributes to be legendary. This TC issue really is so unfortunate, at a time when BMWAG is behind upstart like Tesla and old foes like Audi. If BMWNA does not fix this N20/N26 TC issue, a chunk of remaining faithfuls will deflect to other brands.
LikeLike
I have a f10 2013 528i x drive with 105k miles on it , The engine makes a rattling noise when cold and it’s not as loud when the car warms up but when driving at around 1-25 mph their is a whining noise coming from the engine.
LikeLike
That’s a good possibility that’s the timing chain issue
LikeLike
Hello BMW technician, I know there is a lawsuit going on with N20 timing chain in NJ District Court
and it seems like they are about to settle this case on 9/2/2020. The details of the settlement if approved by court will extend timing chain and oil pump drive chain to 8 years/100000 miles(which ever comes first). By any chance do you know how long will the dealerships receive this extended warranty info after the case settles? Also how does a dealerships diagnose if a vehicle is eligible for extended timing chain warranty? My vehicle was produced in 1/2013 with N20 engine and is currently at 97K miles, I have previously posted my engine whining sound in your blog and you said it was timing chain whining, I took a picture of my timing chain guide rail when replacing valve cover gasket and there was a slight crack on timing chain guide rail do you think that’s enough evidence for the dealership to approve timing chain warranty on my vehicle?
Picture of my timing chain guide rail cracking: https://imgur.com/4P3ATsK
Thank you in advance!!
LikeLike
Yes that crack in the timing chain guide should be enough to replace the timing chain and guide rails,,,,the way we decide if the car is covered is by whine noise,rattle noise,broken pieces of timing chain guide,,,how before we get the extended warranty that is hard to say,,,it all depends on the legal side of the lawsuit I’m sorry to say.
LikeLike
Thanks for the input, do you think dealership will take my picture as evidence and approve chain replacement? Since the picture was taken by me not by the dealer. However I did pay out of pocket to replace by valve cover gasket at a BMW dealership 2 years ago.
Thanks
LikeLike
I don’t think they will take your picture as evidence,,,,but you could give it a try it wouldn’t hurt
LikeLike
Hello-
As many have said before, thank you for your very valuable insights and information. A service advisor at a reputable independent repair shop was concerned about the brief rattle/stutter (5 second mark) in this video upon ignition. I have a 2013 528xi. He indicated it was a timing chain waiting to fail- do you agree? https://youtu.be/Frj0a82XfDo
He did not notice any whining- but do you hear whining in this second video? https://youtu.be/FQ92t236Utg
Last question- if it is a failing timing chain- is this a something best repaired in a couple weeks, or do I have a few months. Thank you again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would get this taken care now,,,,,I don’t like that whine noise and that rattle noise during start up,,,take care of this now.
LikeLike
Hey, I have a 2014 BMW 428i (F32 with an N20 engine) it is just under 70k – around 61,000 I believe and it looks like it was manufactured in 9/2013. So just saw this in the nick of time. I did not receive this bulletin to my knowledge, maybe because I am the 2nd owner of the car – as of February 2019(?). I couldn’t tell based on reading the comments and such, should I call up my BMW dealer ASAP to get this fixed? Or will my timing chain, etc. only be fixed if it “seems like” my car will experience the issue (like if they hear the rattling noise that commenters have mentioned/you replied about. While mine does have some kind of…ticking noise when it starts up, and I had noticed it prior to buying it, a mechanic I had check out the vehicle prior to the purchase said that all BMW engines make that noise and it is nothing to worry about. It definitely isn’t a prominent/dangerous rattling sound like in the video Jack posted on Aug 30. I can of course record my engine startup if that’ll let you know the case).
Thanks for everything!
LikeLike
The ticking noise is normal on all N20 engine during cold start and then it get quieter when it warms up,,,what I’m more worried about if the car has a whining noise and also trying to get the timing chain and rails replaced under BMW extended warranty.
LikeLike
Hi, I recently bought a 2012 X1 xDrive28i. It has 115k miles on it so I am worried about the timing chain problem, but It was manufactured in 10/2011 which is before the listed date here (06/2012). Am I free of concern? Did they use a different timing chain guide before 06/2012 ?
Thank you
LikeLike
No still would be concern,,,,I don’t know if they used a different timing chain guide before 6/2012
LikeLike
I’ve got a 2014 320i with 36,000 miles. During a recent oil change & tire rotation service visit, my regular BMW service establishment (non-dealership) let me know my timing chain was loose and I should get it checked out at the local BMW dealership. They also got me up to speed on the known timing chain issues, extended 7yr/70,000 mile extended warranty and class action lawsuit stuff. I took it to the dealership for a diagnostic test and check-up. I’ve been told by dealership that timing chain is tight and has passed their test. They also included a video from the technician. So now I have one BMW expert telling me it’s loose and should be taken care of by the dealership, and the dealership is telling me everything is good to go, no problems. The extended warranty runs out in December. I’m thinking the dealership is just not interested in fixing it. Thoughts??
LikeLike
The dealership should be interested in fixing it because it means money for the tech and for the dealership,,,,that doesn’t make any sense.
LikeLike
hello i have a 2013 bmw x3 from a family friend with n20
she said light came on oil pressure error stop immidiatly
108f01
130304
131401
130308
130108
1c0102
130f11
130104
are the codes it wont start i have a timing chain set on the way have you seen any of these engine survive after
possible oil pump chain broken?
LikeLike
Yes I have seen some engines survive,,,,it just hard to say what damage was done to the engine and how bad it is,,,,and is it worth fixing
LikeLike
My daughters 2013 survived. We rebuilt it. New chain and guides and so far no problems. Fingers crossed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good day. I have a 2015 x1 with an April 2015 manufacture date. Since it’s not on the list, does this mean this timing chain guide failure is highly unlikely? My car has very low mileage, is in excellent condition and I really enjoy driving it, but this potential catastrophe has me concerned.Thank you for your time & expertise.
LikeLike
Yes you have a 2015 you have a better chance of no timing chain issues
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good day. I own a 2015 X1 with a manufacture date of April 2014. Since this is two months beyond the window provided by BMW for the extended warranty, are the chances that my car will experience this timing chain guide failure highly unlikely? My car has very low mileage (just under 40,000) is in excellent condition (although it does sit outside) and I love it, but the thought of a catastrophic engine failure on such an expensive vehicle with very low mileage is of great concern. Thank you for your time and expertise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t been sleeping well. Just realized the cut off is February 2015, not 2014. Disregard my question. I guess I can continue to enjoy the car and see what happens or sell it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought an x3 28ix build on 07/2015, model 2016 with 124000km. Should I worry about the timing chain issue?
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rev match I say problem. BMW says I caused engine cease. If governor works properly engine can’t 9600 rpm. I say bad engineering or a BMW scam? U tell me
LikeLike
BMW my have a governor,,,but you still can over rev the engine,,,,it is a strange design that doesn’t work,,,but I think BMW did this way so they can blame the customer for over reving the engine and not paying for a blown engine
LikeLike
Great blog here…..dear BMWTech amy idea of the failure rate of the N20/26 timing chain…..is it 30%? 5%?
LikeLike
I believe it to be able 18%
LikeLike
Hi there I have a 2013 BMW f30 320 d EFF engine N47 T EUR model N47D20O1 production date 25/03/2013 ,does this engine have timing chain problems 175.000 Kilometers.
LikeLike
No,,,timing chain issue only on gasoline engine
LikeLike