N20 Timing chain and some (Replacement)

[dp1504]

Good day Fanatics

So a few months back I bought myself a 2014 f30 320i with the infamous N20 engine.
The car was really well taken care of and there is no mechanical issues at the moment or any iDrive warning notifications...

The car currently has about 132 000 km, and i would like to do the Timing chain replacement as recommended by most for peace of mind....

I have gotten a few quotes from a couple Service Providers, but one has recommended I do a couple additional replacements so i just wanted to check with other current/previous owners or knowledgeable members, what is their advice if it is necessary and what additional items i should consider changing as well?

List of additional items to be replaced:

Timing chain, tensioner and guide kit (obviously )

Oil pump chain kit

Oil Pump Valve

Vacuum pump repair kit

Oil Filter Housing kit

Big End Bearings (Set)

Sump gasket

High pressure fuel pump – on engine

Adaptor

Balance shaft

Vanos central bolt

Crankshaft Sprocket

I am in the Pretoria area, would also appreciate recommendation of mechanics(in Gauteng) that you have used or trust to be knowledgeable and honest to carry out the repair....

As anyone done the repair via their warranty plan, I do have one currently with a Third party , was the claim successful for this type of repair ?

Thank you very much in advance

 

[sherwinZ]

Personally, I would wait for another 50 000 km before doing any of those items.
Usually there would be some telltale signs that there is something major on the way out.

 

[Johker]

What did you end up doing?

 

[dp1504]

Hi,
Not as yet, it has not given me any issues as yet, at my last service at BMW, they said it is still fine...

But most likely will do it this year for peace of mind...

Still haven't decided on who to take it to... Hear stories about after it's done, people get other issues 🤦🏽‍♂️

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

My feeling is that a lot of the work suggested is more than just preventative. There would most likely be telltale signs were many of those parts failing or needing replacement.

From what I understand the issue on the N20 was with the timing chain guides more than the timing chains. At that mileage a timing chain replacement would be considered preventative maintenence.

There is very little pressure placed on the oil pump chain so I don't see why it would need to be replaced. If proper maintenence had been done and there was no timing chain guide failure then there seems to be no reason to replace the oil pump valve or vacuum pump.

If the oil filter housing kit is just the gaskets then that is great. Replacing big ends seems like a reach but could maybe be considered preventative though you would need new stretch bolts too.

I can't comment on the HPFP or adaptor.

Without inspecting the balance shaft how can you know if it needs replacing? VANOS bolts will need to be replaced with the timing chain as they are stretch bolts.

I don't see why the crankshaft sprocket would need to be replaced unless there was any wear which shouldn't happen with a correctly tensioned and timed chain.

Maybe take some time out of your day and pop past Ross Duncan in Midrand to get some proper advice.

 

[dp1504]

My feeling is that a lot of the work suggested is more than just preventative. There would most likely be telltale signs were many of those parts failing or needing replacement.

From what I understand the issue on the N20 was with the timing chain guides more than the timing chains. At that mileage a timing chain replacement would be considered preventative maintenence.

There is very little pressure placed on the oil pump chain so I don't see why it would need to be replaced. If proper maintenence had been done and there was no timing chain guide failure then there seems to be no reason to replace the oil pump valve or vacuum pump.

If the oil filter housing kit is just the gaskets then that is great. Replacing big ends seems like a reach but could maybe be considered preventative though you would need new stretch bolts too.

I can't comment on the HPFP or adaptor.

Without inspecting the balance shaft how can you know if it needs replacing? VANOS bolts will need to be replaced with the timing chain as they are stretch bolts.

I don't see why the crankshaft sprocket would need to be replaced unless there was any wear which shouldn't happen with a correctly tensioned and timed chain.

Maybe take some time out of your day and pop past Ross Duncan in Midrand to get some proper advice.

Thanks for the reply.

The car runs perfectly fine, no issues what so ever.
I do oil service every year at BMW even though I travel less than 5k km annually.
The car is really taken care of and not driven hard. No telltale signs what so ever at the moment..

But will definitely pop by a few reputable service centres like Ross Duncan, Grease Monkey... Before I decide on what really should be done as preventive maintenance...

 

[rafcom]

I was planning on asking the same thing (just joined) but I'm starting to get the feeling that the general information out there (first world country forums recommending first world solutions, ie. Replace everything, all the time, because we can) might not always be "the" way to go.

As I understood it, the plastic guides were actually the concern, they supposedly break and then the fragments can cause the chain to jump. Probably why you can by the guides only, but same amount of work to replace them though 🤷‍♂️

 

[zabbo]

I went through this exercise in December 2023 with my 2013 320iM Auto with 150000km. The car is running a Stage 1+ Tune for 3 years with no issues.

I did some of the above, all as preventative maintenance as well as tappet cover and my Mechie is not someone who would recommend work for no reason. The following was not recommended at the time:

Big End Bearings (Set)

Adaptor

Balance shaft

Vanos central bolt

Crankshaft Sprocket

Oil Pump Chain Kit and New Injectors are on the cards for this December. Bonus well spent

 

[Mytfine]

From what i have heard its the friction fit sprocket on the crank that is the problem, it looses grip and slips a tooth. The new ones have have a laser etched pattern on it to stop it slipping.

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

That sprocket shouldn't slip, it is tightened to about 300Nm.

Check there isn't too much slack in your upper chain then you can just replace your guides.

If the chain is stretched it becomes a bigger job.