[mattsteele330d]

Hi guys i have read alot about the chain issues on the n47 2.0d timing chain, i have a 2009 june build 318d n47d20c engine e90, my question is shall i get chain replaced or leave it, it isnt noisey but car clocked over to 100k and seen alot of post about of chains snapping regardless of year and service history.

some say after jan 2009 there was a mod and them engines are good but then others have gone on 2011 with 80k or less, every garage speak to say get them done but they benifiting on big money repair , just after some advice if anybody knows on fail rate after 2009 or any advice thanks in advance


Matt

[nick46]

Now that's a tricky one. If I had that kind of money lying around and I wouldn't miss it, then I'd probably get it done. Likewise if the car hasn't had oil changes every 10,000 miles throughout it's life then I would also consider getting it done. However. If the car has had regular oil changes and there are no signs of any issues then I may be tempted to leave it and then just keep up with the regular oil changes, but as soon as there was the slightest hint of any noises coming from the chain, it would be replaced.
That's my thoughts anyway. There are plenty of cars still on the original chains that have clocked well over 100k.

[titansilber_320d]

Copy paste from another thread:

Originally Posted by realcam:
As I just bought an F31 with an N47T myself I have trawled through a lot of information on this subject. I would recommend you do the same. You will get many different opinions on this subject. It is hard to say which ones are informed and which ones aren't.

FWIW here is what I gathered myself, but I would by no means claim to really know what's going on. I simply gathered enough information to decide for myself whether I'd buy an F31 with N47 or not. I did in the end, but you will find many who tell you they'd never buy a car with an N47 or N57 in it.

...

Apparently it was never the chain that was the problem, but the sprocket on the crank shaft driving said chain. Its teeth were 'too edgy' for want of a better word and could cause a lengthening of the chain over time. About 10% of the cars sporting that engine developed problems. BMW never actually issued a recall but decided on a case by case basis whether they applied 'good will' when repair was required. Repair required meaning bad chain noise and in the worst case scenario - if noise was ignored for long enough I suppose - chain snaps with engine bollixed obviously.

I understand over time several alterations were made to the engine regarding this problem. I believe since late 2011 the offending crank shaft sprocket is revised. The official BMW party line since then is that noise problems due to a slight lengthening of the chain may still occur, but no snaps. It is therefore considered merely a 'convenience problem' (noise). I believe an improved tensioner is also available. From what I read if you have a mid 2013 or onwards this should totally be a non issue. I haven't seen any of the above being contradicted really.
You still read about the odd freak snap but you would read that about any engine. Sometimes sh1t just happens.

Whether the lengthening causing the noise problem still occurs or not depends apparently a lot on driving pattern. The more of its running hours this engine spends under proper operating temperature the better. Which is true for any engine really. But apparently many short trips where the engine never reaches operating temperature promotes the problem.

So depending on what model/year you have and whether you get noise from the chain or not you might want it being looked at. This may lead to something like a new tensioner or even more. But would I splash €1200 on a new chain because I read on the internet 'they have problems'? Mmmhhh not so sure. I would want to make that an informed decision.


Also bear in mind the 'internet phenomenon' regarding such problems. The internet multiplies the perceived spread of such problems. Because people who don't have a problem rarely go to the internet writing 'hey I have no problem', but people who do have a problem end up on the internet a lot. Similarly when you type 'N47 timing chain problem' into google this is what you're going to get, N47 timing chain problems. From there then it is easy to think the N47 has nothing but timing chain problems and half of them have exploded by now. I'm not saying the N47 doesn't or never did have those, but you get my drift.

[juld0zer]

Yep, sprocket teeth were too sharp and caused premature wear of the chain. The plastic chain guides were also revised to feature some sound deadening measures on the N57.

The procedure for timing the high pressure fuel pump was also revised for the N47, supposedly to reduce strain on the chain drive. The motors always sound different when cranked after the repair.

The chains can snap suddenly but most will make the scraping noise before they let go.

[Mattsteele318d]

Hi guys sorry for late reply have been away and just been catching up on everything....

Also lost log in details so hence new username

I am going to bite the bullet and get my timing chains replaced my big question is what brand is best to purchase obviously i want to do it right 1st time but i dont want to purchase from bmw as be rediculous

The main kits i have found were
NDE
FAI
BGA
TVT
Oem from lymm engine parts

Havent really heard of tvt but was a german brand and had decent warranty and was apparently oe spec

And the oem one was from lymm engines on ebay as full kit stating came with genuine oem chain and tensioners

Any help appreciated thanks guys

[nick46]

Don't be buying critical parts like this from eBay! Too many fakes around. Been there done that and got the t-shirt!

[Esef]

Hi guys. I have a common question regarding the N47D20 engine timing chain, so no need to create new thread.

I bought a 2008 320d N47 with full history. The first engine got the chain snapped so the guys put there a different, rebuild engine. after the rebuild with aftermarket timing chain from +- 2015 it was driven just on highway, oil changed every 11-12k km (7k miles).

My question is, how long the chain will be okay? It sounds healthy now with 120k km (75k miles) after the rebuild. I have just a minor experience with chain driven cars. All my previous were belt driven.

Thanks for the answer, Filip.

[juld0zer]

If rebuilt properly and using the latest parts from BMW (who knows how old non genuine stuff sits on the shelf) it should in theory last at least as long as the old one. There's no real data about lifespan after repair as the cars usually get sold, traded in or crashed before it is old enough to possibly happen again

[danaite]

Originally Posted by Esef

Hi guys. I have a common question regarding the N47D20 engine timing chain, so no need to create new thread.

I bought a 2008 320d N47 with full history. The first engine got the chain snapped so the guys put there a different, rebuild engine. after the rebuild with aftermarket timing chain from +- 2015 it was driven just on highway, oil changed every 11-12k km (7k miles).

.

Hi Esef, BMW sell now a new revised chain tensioner

10	Chain tensioner		07/2013	11317797901			ENDED
10	Chain tensioner		03/2016	11318576201			ENDED
10	Chain tensioner		05/2019	11318586699

so i think your chain tensioner is an old one, assuming it the 11318576201 (2nd version) may be it's a safe thing to change it with the new one.

tricky to change by the way

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Mattsteele318d

Hi guys sorry for late reply have been away and just been catching up on everything....

Also lost log in details so hence new username

I am going to bite the bullet and get my timing chains replaced my big question is what brand is best to purchase obviously i want to do it right 1st time but i dont want to purchase from bmw as be rediculous

The main kits i have found were
NDE
FAI
BGA
TVT
Oem from lymm engine parts

Havent really heard of tvt but was a german brand and had decent warranty and was apparently oe spec

And the oem one was from lymm engines on ebay as full kit stating came with genuine oem chain and tensioners

Any help appreciated thanks guys

I got all my parts from Cotswold BMW (give them a call, they're super helpful!). 100% agree that buying anything other than genuine parts is a false economy for critical stuff like this.

On that engine build date (post January 2009) you don't need to worry about the crank sprocket - it would be the tensioners that will fail first plastic rails and/or the bits the apply the pressure.

When I did my missus' 118d (similar age as yours), I replaced everything which had a revised part listed on realoem; everything that affects/touches the chains, except the crank (because it's a nightmare and stupidly expensive), and the lower tensioner.

Install isn't difficult, but it's very lengthy (engine out, etc), and there are many things which can refuse to cooperate. For me that was the injectors being seized into the cylinder head - fun. (Not fun.) Newtis.info is your friend.

Oh yeah, and the parts I replaced were barely visibly worn, and not broken...noise must either have been caused by wrong oil (not changed by me), or...? Whichever way, it's now quiet again.

Good luck!

[aaronblack]

I had a N47 2007 build 123d and my chain was changed yet again after 10k max with regular servicing the noise came back! Hence, if it isnt making any noise and you've maintained it properly, there is no reason to change it.

[Esef]

Originally Posted by danaite

Hi Esef, BMW sell now a new revised chain tensioner

Thank you, thats a great news.

Originally Posted by aaronblack

I had a N47 2007 build 123d and my chain was changed yet again after 10k max with regular servicing the noise came back! Hence, if it isnt making any noise and you've maintained it properly, there is no reason to change it.

I try to listen to the engine once per week while cold and warm and it sounds okay. I hear more the lifters (to which Im used from my old Audi A6) than rattling noise of weared/loose chain or bad tensioner. Only thing is that I am used to sound of an old diesel VW engine, so my N47 can be bad the whole time =D The sound is stille the same for last 10k km tho.

[Tambohamilton]

There are a few videos on YouTube of really bad engines running. I'm sure you'd know if it was that bad, and I hope you'd replace sooner!

Mine sounded like someone shaking a maraca at about 1600rpm. It was quite quiet inside the car - had to be on fairly smooth road and light throttle to hear it.

I think the last part revision was in 2013 for the tensioners. I could be wrong though; check the part numbers on realoem.

[Andystobbs]

If you have £1400 change it regardless.

[Tambohamilton]

£1400? Think I did mine for about £700, and that included an engine crane and valve cover!

[Andystobbs]

Doesn't sound like the original poster fancies the job himself if he's having to take advice on whether to or not to change the biggest failure item on his engine. I was quoting £1400 as a garage rate.

[Tambohamilton]

Ah right, yep, fair point!

[rasa bmw]

leave it,,then if it starts the dreaded chain chatter then get it done,,its not as of ot will just suddenly snap and fuck the engine,,,,also if it were me,,id sell it and get a 3.0l lump

[Esef]

Year later, there is no change in the sound, still quiet. What I found in the service log there was a chain+tensioners replaced in 2k16 for the latest revision, so maybe thats why its quiet withou problems.