XSeries-forum

Just caught the end of Watchdog and they are doing an item next week on a BMW engine problem. Any ideas? Swirl flaps maybe?

A report on BMW Land refers to it being a timing chain issue on the N47 series of engines.  2.0D engine fitted to the 1, 3, 5, X1, X3 and Mini Countryman SD (b*gger that means us!!) models. 

Supposedly pre-2011 builds, but that may be because they haven't got enough miles on them yet.  Some owners have had chains snap - and that's definitely not supposed to happen with chains!!

Richard

I wasn't aware of that issue. Having had a couple of CVH engines chuck a belt, fortunately at idle and a long time ago, I have always preferred chains. That must be a serious issue if chains are going, not to mention the ensuing cost if not under warranty. BMW have taken a few hits on Watchdog over the years so will be interested in watching this one even if it doesn't personally effect me, at the moment anyway.

BMW do not have a good history with camchains/guides

[quote="LincsX5"]
I wasn't aware of that issue. Having had a couple of CVH engines chuck a belt, fortunately at idle and a long time ago, I have always preferred chains.
[/quote]

Ah those were the days - they broke so often on Police Escort 1600's that they changed the belts at 6,000 mile intervals.  Happened to me once in an Escort van - and the damage was impressive!!

Richard

It was a couple of Orion 1.6i Ghias in the mid 80s that did it. Luckily only a few bent valves and guides and an easy DIY job. Had mainly Land Rovers and Saabs since. Rather have a bit of extra noise than have a rubber band give up the ghost.

This is what happens

    That's not good!!  I thought duplex chains were in use these days.

Richard

Looks like an Audi interior!


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Had a chain snap on a 3.0l 24v Senator many years ago - wrecked the top end of the engine

There must be thousands of these engines fitted but only three cases on Watchdog. I remember the 19" wheel cracking problem at the end of the show there were loads of calls with people having the same issue. Hopefully that is a good sign that there were no more phone calls with others that have had the same failure. ....... That's what the wife is hoping for anyway.

So it was the N47 engine between 2007 and 2009. Hopefully it is only a few isolated incidents. Not sure how many reports Watchdog need to run these stories.

My Freindly sevice guy rang last night to say not to worry. He had over 100 calls about the program  :blink: