N47 Timing chain
Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Cars & Registers
Forum Name: 1-series
Forum Description: Discussion forum for the 1-series
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=11895
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 4:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: N47 Timing chain
Posted By: PhilBM
Subject: N47 Timing chain
Date Posted: 01 May 2015 at 2:06pm
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Just to make any one aware who drives an early LCI (facelift) diesel 1 Series fitted with an N47 engine. BMW are currently doing what has been classed as a Quality Enhancement for 2007 and 2008 registered cars whereby they'll evaluate the timing chain and replace what is neccessary. My November 2007 120d has just come out of my local dealer and has had the spockets and both timings chains changed, not bad for a 160,000 mile car.
There is more details on the BabyBmw.net forum for anyone interested.
http://www.babybmw.net" rel="nofollow - http://www.babybmw.net ------------- 87 E30 325i Sport 15 F15 X5 40d M Sport 18 F32 420i M Sport coupe |
Replies:
Posted By: Mike Fishwick
Date Posted: 02 May 2015 at 10:42am
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It makes one wonder if BMW have forgotton that their middle initial stands for 'Motor' . . . maybe they now think it stands for 'Marketing.' What engineer in their right mind would put a car timing chain at the back of the engine? It is common practice on large marine diesels, but they are designed to be worked on. ------------- A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life! |
Posted By: PhilBM
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 1:29pm
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I quite agree Mike, core values seemed to have been dimnished or lost completely in the continued relentless charge for market share (don't get me started on the new 2 series active tourer, an MPV and front wheel drive!!). I appreciate BMW needs to make a profit to reinvest but at what cost? They seem to launch a new model every couple of months which is obviously helped by the part and platform shaing allowing them to be released sooner. It does seem that with these constant releases we encounter more engineering problems like with the Swirl flaps and this Timing chain issue.
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Posted By: poiuytre111
Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 6:39pm
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I have just picked up my 127k mile 120d after Sytner High Wycombe changed a timing chain and tensioner. I am really positive about this outcome even though my car had shown no prior issues. I have had several BMWs, some of which the web told me could have design-related problems (M60 Nikasil and M47 swirl flaps) but none had actually impacted me personally despite the 200k miles on each of the potentially affected cars. At the same time, the fear of a known problem was an issue in itself and I am pleased to think I can now expect to do a further 127k miles on my 120D before I need be concerned. This is a marked contrast to the behaviour of some other car mfgrs - notably VW, who have had a range of issues they simply pretend do not exist viz BXE engine conrods, 1.4TDI balance shaft/oil pump chain, 2.0 TDI balance shaft chain, oil pump drive, DPF etc, Polo/Lupo pedal box, 085 gearbox with diesels, 085 gearbox differential rivets...... Good on you BMW - it may cost in the short term but I would happily buy again. |
Posted By: issus
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 11:41pm
The Swirl Flap issue was some what inflated on BMWLAND and other Forums. It was pretty hard to locate failures after 2005(after increasing pin/shaft dia to 4mm). Plenty of hearsay - I phoned up Warranty Direct and asked them what % of swirl flap claims they had received. ...Negligible was the answer I received. Most of the failures appeared to have incurred on pre 2004 facelift 3/520d's. For those who suffered from this (poor) design it was no joke. ------------- E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever |
poiuytre111 wrote:Posted By: Bash786
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2015 at 9:03pm
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Hi Guys. I have a 2009 120D N47, is there any way i can tell if I need to replace my timing chain coz i don't want it to go on me while driving and end up paying thousands for a new engine. Are there any signs i need to look out for. Really appreciate your replies. ------------- Dance like a butterfly, Stings like a Bee. |
Posted By: AndrewE
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2015 at 8:57pm
| You'll hear a cyclic 'wsh wsh wsh' type noise at idle, very noticeable from inside the car. |
Posted By: Bash786
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 9:57pm
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Is it all N47 engines with timing chain issues or is it specific to year of manufacturing/or engine description number. Mine is a N47d20o0-eu5t, but what i've read is 200-2008 N47d20A are more prone to chain snapping. Is that true? I'm just trying to work out if it's worth keeping the car, it's done 140k and i dont need a major job spending £2000 on it when I'VE just bought it costing me £4500 ------------- Dance like a butterfly, Stings like a Bee. |
Posted By: issus
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 10:01pm
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Google it or go to BIMMERFORUMS UK. ------------- E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever |
Posted By: PhilBM
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2015 at 8:36pm
Hi Bash786, what age is your 120d? The problem seems to be more prolific with 2007/08 cars but you couldn't never rule out it happening on a later one. BMW made updates in 2009 to resolve the problem but I think I've still heard of couple which have let go. ------------- 87 E30 325i Sport 15 F15 X5 40d M Sport 18 F32 420i M Sport coupe |
Posted By: Bash786
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2015 at 9:17pm
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My BMW is registered December 2009. It's model variant date is 19/09/2008, I don't know what that means. Do you know of there's any good warranty companies that would cover me in case the worst happened. ------------- Dance like a butterfly, Stings like a Bee. |
Posted By: AndrewE
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2015 at 9:47pm
| Ann N47's suffer. You need to take it to a main dealer who can listen to it first and take a view. A good specialist will charge about £1000 to remove the engine and change all the chains and tensioners. |
Posted By: Bulldog
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 10:02pm
I'll be taking delivery of a 2009 118d from Stratstone Chesterfield this coming Saturday and I've plagued them with enquiries regarding the N47 and engine production dates etc. Fortunately it appears this engine was a later one so I'm placated and happy! . Fingers crossed.........
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Posted By: Kenny182
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2019 at 1:27pm
| Is the sound very faint like a electric motor fading in and out and can it be heard outside the car I'm worrying lol |
Posted By: Robert
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2019 at 3:34pm
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Thank God I sold my 320d and bought a Hilux. No chain, just a belt which is really easy to replace by oneself. Remove engine cover, 6 10mm bolts, remove cover, 4 bolts, remove tensioner, 4 bolts etc. No need to remove radiator or anything else to gain access, really simple. Designing an engine with the timing chain at the back was a stupid, stupid idea.
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