Timing chain?

j.f.leonard · 11-17-2020, 12:20 PM

Hello, Ive been reading about the timing chain issue in the '12 n20s so I decided to check mine out. Can anyone confirm that this is or is not normal? I have an extended warranty that expires in a month so that may cover it if it needs to be replaced. I recorded the sound from the engine bay but I dont think I can upload it here. Thanks!

Solidjake · 11-17-2020, 12:29 PM

You can't tell anything from looking at the top. Best way to tell if you have broken guides if drain the oil and put a borescope in the oil pan. To check the chain you need to follow the BMW procedure for timing chain wear

j.f.leonard · 11-17-2020, 01:55 PM

I thought i read somewhere that a shiny chain was not a good thing... :/

Jimmert · 11-18-2020, 06:00 AM

Well it is definitely not easy to check the timing chain conditioning through the fill hole. Yes it should be tight on the camshaft, you can poke / pull it with a hook. But based on the position of the camshaft adjuster it can occur that the chain is loose, this will tighten automatically when you start the engine (but then you can’t check). If it is always loose that might indicate an issue. Shiny chain, I think it’s normal too after some time, it is rubbing against the guides, you’re effectively polishing it.

I think the best way to check it (for elongation), is to insert a special tool in the tensioner hole. After checking, I would also replace the tensioner itself by the latest design.

Solidjake · 11-18-2020, 08:34 AM

bmw sib 11 31 540

j.f.leonard · 11-20-2020, 07:15 PM

I took my car to a shop today for a fresh oil change and so they could listen to my motor and determine if it was in fact my timing chain making the whining noise. They said the chain is definitely stretched, but they also claimed that before anything happens it will throw a code for a timing issue or something like that. Is this true?

Billfitz · 11-20-2020, 09:54 PM

It's not true. In the vast majority of cases other than the whining there's no advance warning of timing chain failure. When they fail the engine damage usually requires replacement of the engine. That's why it's key to heed the warning that the whine provides.

11-17-2020, 12:20 PM	#1
j.f.leonard Lieutenant 218 Rep 576 Posts Drives: 2012 328i f30 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: north carolina iTrader: (1)	Timing chain? Hello, Ive been reading about the timing chain issue in the '12 n20s so I decided to check mine out. Can anyone confirm that this is or is not normal? I have an extended warranty that expires in a month so that may cover it if it needs to be replaced. I recorded the sound from the engine bay but I dont think I can upload it here. Thanks! Attached Images
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11-17-2020, 12:29 PM	#2
Solidjake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 945 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '13 328i Msport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC/SNJ iTrader: (2)	You can't tell anything from looking at the top. Best way to tell if you have broken guides if drain the oil and put a borescope in the oil pan. To check the chain you need to follow the BMW procedure for timing chain wear __________________ Tensioner/belt DIY \| Side skirt extension DIY Apex SM-10/DWS06+ \| 400m/X-ice Xi3 \| Injen Exhaust \| Stoptech SS Lines \| 335 Front Brakes Hawk HPS 5.0 \| RBF600 \| ER Charge Pipes \| Wagner Evo Comp 2 FMIC
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11-17-2020, 01:55 PM	#3
j.f.leonard Lieutenant 218 Rep 576 Posts Drives: 2012 328i f30 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: north carolina iTrader: (1)	I thought i read somewhere that a shiny chain was not a good thing... :/
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11-18-2020, 06:00 AM	#4
Jimmert Private First Class 66 Rep 160 Posts Drives: BMW 420i F36 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Well it is definitely not easy to check the timing chain conditioning through the fill hole. Yes it should be tight on the camshaft, you can poke / pull it with a hook. But based on the position of the camshaft adjuster it can occur that the chain is loose, this will tighten automatically when you start the engine (but then you can’t check). If it is always loose that might indicate an issue. Shiny chain, I think it’s normal too after some time, it is rubbing against the guides, you’re effectively polishing it. I think the best way to check it (for elongation), is to insert a special tool in the tensioner hole. After checking, I would also replace the tensioner itself by the latest design. Last edited by Jimmert; 11-18-2020 at 02:03 PM..
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11-18-2020, 08:34 AM	#5
Solidjake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 945 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '13 328i Msport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC/SNJ iTrader: (2)	bmw sib 11 31 540 __________________ Tensioner/belt DIY \| Side skirt extension DIY Apex SM-10/DWS06+ \| 400m/X-ice Xi3 \| Injen Exhaust \| Stoptech SS Lines \| 335 Front Brakes Hawk HPS 5.0 \| RBF600 \| ER Charge Pipes \| Wagner Evo Comp 2 FMIC
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11-20-2020, 07:15 PM	#6
j.f.leonard Lieutenant 218 Rep 576 Posts Drives: 2012 328i f30 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: north carolina iTrader: (1)	I took my car to a shop today for a fresh oil change and so they could listen to my motor and determine if it was in fact my timing chain making the whining noise. They said the chain is definitely stretched, but they also claimed that before anything happens it will throw a code for a timing issue or something like that. Is this true?
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11-20-2020, 09:54 PM	#7
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,083 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	It's not true. In the vast majority of cases other than the whining there's no advance warning of timing chain failure. When they fail the engine damage usually requires replacement of the engine. That's why it's key to heed the warning that the whine provides.
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