
Introduction
From 2007 to about 2014, the BMW N47 was an inline 4-cylinder diesel motor that was made use of in the BMW 1, 2, 3, and 5 sequence, as effectively as the X1 and X3 diesel designs.
The N47 motor sequence is susceptible to early timing chain failure owing to serious timing chain dress in. The condition is indicated by a rattling noise coming from the engine’s rear. Failure of the timing chain might necessitate engine substitution or a expensive maintenance. The trouble affects all programs and electricity versions of the engine made concerning March 1, 2007 and March 1, 2011. The most severely damaged units, which need the most significant repairs, were being made concerning the dates of 01.03.2007 and 05.01.2009. UPDATE – It appears that a small number of engines manufactured just after the remember are having complications.
Timing chain
The timing chain on this motor is sandwiched among the engine and the transmission at the again of the engine. Its substitution is particularly difficult since it is positioned in such an inaccessible place. In most instances, areas set up in this kind of inaccessible areas are meant to endure the lifetime of the motor, but not in this condition. The timing chain in the N47 can are unsuccessful anyplace from 40 to 100k miles, resulting in catastrophic motor damage as its components get rid of synchronization.
Prognosis – Indications of a Failing Timing Chain
The indicators of a failed timing chain generally surface progressively as the chain turns into extended and much more worn. As a consequence, you’re not likely to detect a unexpected spectacular symptom until finally the chain is in close proximity to to break totally. As an alternative, believe about how your car is accomplishing nowadays and how it executed many months back. Small difficulties could counsel that the chain is about to are unsuccessful entirely.
In this article are some of the symptoms that your timing chain is failing:
- Tough idling: Get started your car and wander away. It is probable that the timing chain is carrying out if it shakes or vibrates far more than typical. Of program, there are other problems that could result in severe idling, but the issue is normally value investigating mainly because it tends to worsen around time.
- Odd noises: You might hear your N47 motor rattle, particularly when it’s idling, but not only when it’s idling. The issue could be that the timing chain is free and rattling against just about anything else if the seem is persistent and rough.
- Steel shavings in the oil: Around time, the timing chain will have on down. When it reaches the conclude of its practical everyday living, it may possibly emit metallic shavings. If it does, it will conclude up in your engine oil, maybe resulting in further troubles. Even so, any worn-out portion of your automobile can develop metallic shavings, so it is worthy of seeking into in advance of just replacing the chain.
- Engine failures: If your BMW would not commence, the chai might be ruined and not supplying adequate pressure to get started the motor. If the chain breaks when you are driving, it is achievable that the timing chain has broken as perfectly. If this takes place, the pistons could be broken, and the belt problem may possibly induce more harm to your car or truck.
- Motor misfires: Your N47 motor may well misfire before the chain has fully snapped. The cam and the crankshaft are linked by a chain. The chain may induce the motor vehicle to skip a gear on either the crankshaft or the camshaft if it is extremely stretched out. It will grow to be much more pressured as a end result of this, and it will eventually break.
- Look at engine light is on: Of system, the test engine light could signal a substantial range of points have absent mistaken with your BMW. Even so, it’s attainable that the timing chain has failed or is shortly to fail.
Substitute and Repairs
Since the timing chain is in these types of an inaccessible spot, the mechanic must absolutely clear away the motor from its bay to gain obtain to it. Taking the motor out is a significant and tough enterprise in and of itself. Pursuing that, a further lengthy disassembly is necessary to acquire obtain to the chains on their own.
Three timing chains are included in the timing chain replacement package: a person for the oil pump, 1 for the camshaft, and just one for the significant-stress fuel pump. You will also will need the wanting resource package to keep the crankshaft and camshaft synchronized when you’re working on them. These are the main jobs that have to be finished just after eliminating the engine from the bay in get to change the timing chains.
To commence, make guaranteed that cylinders 1 and 4 are at top useless center in get to keep the issue for synchronizing the factors.
With the applications you have, lock your crank shafts at this place.
Take away the camshaft chain tensioner to loosen the chain a very little, and loosen the a few bolts on the camshaft sprocket.
It will be much easier to get rid of the gasoline pump sprocket if the large-pressure fuel pump is turned off.
Clear away the flywheel from the crankshaft by eliminating the bolts that hold it in area.
Remove the starter motor’s bolts to attain entry to the oil sump.
By undoing the required bolts, you can remove the oil sump.
Take out the timing go over by loosening the nuts that keep it in spot. It will take some prying and a couple of mild taps with the hammer. You can now access all of the chains and sprockets.
By loosening the bolts, you may perhaps now get rid of the oil pump sprocket and the oil pump guides. Get rid of the oil pump’s chain as effectively.
Equally, get rid of the camshaft sprocket’s guides and tensioner, as perfectly as the sprocket and belt.
Immediately after TDC, twist the crankshaft 45 degrees and clear away the large-strain gasoline pump tensioner, guides, and sprockets. Take off the belt and the sprockets as properly.
The previous product is your oil sprayer, which you could eliminate for replacement if necessary.
Then, in reverse get, install the alternative belts, making certain that all parts are in sync until finally the conclusion.
Summary
This timing chain issue is a style flaw in the motor, and the only approach to solution it is to stay away from cars and trucks with this N47 motor or, if attainable, get rid of it in working purchase. Mainly because of the emission regulate gear set in it, these kinds of as the EGR and DPF, this engine also has a lot of problems.

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