E89 N20 Timing Chain and Oil Drive Chain

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:40 pm

Reamesy wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:36 pm
B21 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:33 pm The error code I suspect has zippo relation to the cam chain change…but heh ho..doubt that DME s/w upgrade will change much..
I suspect as everything has been disturbed it may have broken a sensor. Or the vanos cam bolts need changing or the solenoid actuator.

At least if they rule out mechanical and update the DME we can go from there.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:51 pm

Reamesy wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:36 pm
B21 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:33 pm The error code I suspect has zippo relation to the cam chain change…but heh ho..doubt that DME s/w upgrade will change much..
I suspect as everything has been disturbed it may have broken a sensor. Or the vanos cam bolts need changing.

At least if they rule out mechanical and update the DME we can go from there.

Sorry left me rephrase..the cam chain change, if properly executed would have zippo to do with DME s/w level…..

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:55 pm

I suspect the timing may have been slightly out on the exhaust cam. It runs very smooth but is not happy with something.

The DME update I will take, as it’s free.

I will have to see what comes back tomorrow.

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Wed Sep 14, 2022 5:00 pm

I’m regretting not doing this myself. It would have cost me around £400 for full locking kit (including oil pump locking tool) and an engine support to suspend the engine when the subframe was dropped.

It’s not a complex job. It’s just time and tools and no garage in the middle of a house move that made me pay someone. Hey ho. Done now

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 12:53 pm

A few shots of the wear caused by chain stretch and weak tensioner.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 3:18 pm

Ooh-er...

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:01 am

So….got my car back last week. They rechecked everything and “apparently” found nothing wrong. They updated the DME and it’s been fine since.

My thoughts are; either they found something and are not being honest, or the engine management had adjusted over time to my very slack timing chain then through a wobble when it all became tight.

Resetting adaptations may have set it right. I will never know.

I would like to think the latter but they seamed very confident it was sorted

It only through one code after numpty here forget to connect the MAF sensor after detailing the bay

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:34 am

FWIW I don’t buy DME adaptive cam chain slack / timing…

For sure fuel trims, ignition timing…

With hindsight I’d suggest that anyone with an E89 treats the sets a decent code reader…but like people used to buy spark plug spanners…

As you say, it’s fixed now, hopefully many trouble free miles of motoring now

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:19 pm

B21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:34 am FWIW I don’t buy DME adaptive cam chain slack / timing…

For sure fuel trims, ignition timing…

With hindsight I’d suggest that anyone with an E89 treats the sets a decent code reader…but like people used to buy spark plug spanners…

As you say, it’s fixed now, hopefully many trouble free miles of motoring now

Moral of the story for me is next time, do it myself.

True-Blue · Post by **True-Blue** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:41 pm

It looks like you weren’t too far away from a disaster there

I bet you’re breathing a big sigh of relief after seeing those pics

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 2:14 pm

True-Blue wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:41 pm It looks like you weren’t too far away from a disaster there

I bet you’re breathing a big sigh of relief after seeing those pics

I knew it needed doing when I bought it but didn’t realise just how bad it was.

First time I’ve had it over 3500rpm. Pleasantly surprised by the performance

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 5:20 pm

Reamesy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 2:14 pm
True-Blue wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:41 pm It looks like you weren’t too far away from a disaster there

I bet you’re breathing a big sigh of relief after seeing those pics
I knew it needed doing when I bought it but didn’t realise just how bad it was.

First time I’ve had it over 3500rpm. Pleasantly surprised by the performance

What did you notice prior to this?

Is the scoring on the plastic a bad thing, or the broken ring clip thing more the major thing here?

I didnt think the damage looked too bad, but:

A: I don’t know what I’m looking for
B: Don’t know too much about engines!

Any advice would be appreciated.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 5:35 pm

I would suggest this engine was possibly likely to be terminally compromised at any time for two sets of reasons..

You don’t know how much more tensioner plastic disintegration would result in the cam chain loosing tension and as a result jumping one or more sprockets with the result that the valves would hit the pistons….good night Vienna in a very sudden way…

Separately the plastic swarf from this destruction could clog up the oil passages and /or oil filter resulting in oil starvation to one or more critical bearing surfaces and / or oil pump…

If you were lucky you could get all 3..however any one is an engine write off..

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 5:49 pm

Agree with B21. Sump and filter were clean with all the bits accounted for.

It was the noise on start up which has now gone from the rattle of the chain plus a wine caused by slack on the guides and tensioner. Also chain stretch.

Everything is quite and drives perfectly but it did drive well before.

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:01 pm

Reamesy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 5:49 pm Agree with B21. Sump and filter were clean with all the bits accounted for.

It was the noise on start up which has now gone from the rattle of the chain plus a wine caused by slack on the guides and tensioner. Also chain stretch.

Everything is quite and drives perfectly but it did drive well before.

As I see, thanks.

I didn't consider the plastic swarf.

I will upload a video of mine running, perhaps you could listen to it and see if it sounds bad!! I have no idea.

This is a job I would like to do after Christmas, because N20.

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