Cracked Cam Cover (and the rest).

[Reamesy]

So I knew my N20 engine would need a timing chain replacement but WOW.

I had very bad oil leak dripping on my manifold which made my car appear to be on fire.

So on further investigation I discovered it was cracked. So I’ve ordered a new cover and all associated gaskets.

However; when I looked at my timing chain nothing could have prepared me for 1. How bad it is and 2. How lucky I am to have found it now; as it was booked in for October as that was the earliest I could.

Now I am doing it myself which is not ideal in the middle of a house move.

£245 for everything genuine from BMW. It will still need the oil pump drive module doing but as that is a sump off job I’m leaving that to my trusted garage.

Video here. https://youtu.be/8ix8bgCIys8

Extra tools and parts arrive on Friday. I will update after that.

Be interesting to hear how quite it is afterwards as it had a rattle under no load (now I know why)

 

[B21]

Best of luck…quite challenging for a home mechanic…look forward to the write up…

 

[Reamesy]

It’s just the crank bolt that makes me nervous. Once past that I will be happy. Need a new bolt as they are use once stretch bolts

So far the cam cover was a joy. Cup of tea job with plenty of access. All stripped ready for the big tool on Friday. Once the crank bolt sorted should be ok.

I’m not doing the bottom pump drive, that can wait until October. As this is my daily I don’t have the option of waiting.

Failure is not an option (takes me back to my submarine days; goes tits up you’re not coming up)!

 

[Reamesy]

So the bad news. I can not do the topside timing chain without the risk of knocking the oil pump out of time as I would need to drop the sump to lock it in place, which means either dropping the sub frame or raising the engine high enough. This was the part I didn’t want to do. So I have had to concede and put the new cam cover on and book it in local, as I do not want to risk the engine until it’s all done.

So far £248 for all the timing components so with the oil pump module, front crank seal and labour a further £700 which I’m happy with. Booked in for 5/9/22

At least my oil leak is sorted

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Are you able to inspect the lifters whilst this is off the engine?

Would be interesting to see the carbon buildup and if they need walnut blasting or not.

Apparently the N20 has good crank case ventilation, but I would still want to check. Whilst it’s in bits you may as well have the blasting done if required.

 

[B21]

Are you able to inspect the lifters whilst this is off the engine?

Would be interesting to see the carbon buildup and if they need walnut blasting or not.

Apparently the N20 has good crank case ventilation, but I would still want to check. Whilst it’s in bits you may as well have the blasting done if required.

Threw me describing them as lifters , but the inlet valves intakes merit inspection given the mileage…I had mine done at 50k miles but there was negligible contamination in my case…

 

[B21]

So the bad news. I can not do the topside timing chain without the risk of knocking the oil pump out of time as I would need to drop the sump to lock it in place, which means either dropping the sub frame or raising the engine high enough. This was the part I didn’t want to do. So I have had to concede and put the new cam cover on and book it in local, as I do not want to risk the engine until it’s all done.

So far £248 for all the timing components so with the oil pump module, front crank seal and labour a further £700 which I’m happy with. Booked in for 5/9/22

At least my oil leak is sorted

Yup it’s all the various items being locked in place and the special tools that make it a bridge too far for the average home mechanic…pity having to wait that long..

Impressed with the metric cloth on the bench

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Are you able to inspect the lifters whilst this is off the engine?

Would be interesting to see the carbon buildup and if they need walnut blasting or not.

Apparently the N20 has good crank case ventilation, but I would still want to check. Whilst it’s in bits you may as well have the blasting done if required.

Threw me describing them as lifters , but the inlet valves intakes merit inspection given the mileage…I had mine done at 50k miles but there was negligible contamination in my case…

Yeah, that’s it, Inlet manifold. I couldn't think what it was called!!

 

[Reamesy]

Are you able to inspect the lifters whilst this is off the engine?

Would be interesting to see the carbon buildup and if they need walnut blasting or not.

Apparently the N20 has good crank case ventilation, but I would still want to check. Whilst it’s in bits you may as well have the blasting done if required.

I had no carbon build up and surprisingly no varnish. All nice and clean with no dirty deposits. A positive at last

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Are you able to inspect the lifters whilst this is off the engine?

Would be interesting to see the carbon buildup and if they need walnut blasting or not.

Apparently the N20 has good crank case ventilation, but I would still want to check. Whilst it’s in bits you may as well have the blasting done if required.

I had no carbon build up and surprisingly no varnish. All nice and clean with no dirty deposits. A positive at last

Ah, great to hear.

I think I will book mine in for the timing chain job before next summer. I plan on keeping the Z for a very long while!

 

[Reamesy]

I’m using a garage call SJR Automotive in Chester. They specialise in BMW MINI. I have supplied the parts. They are doing the crankshaft seal whilst they do it too. £600 labour which I’m happy with.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

I’m using a garage call SJR Automotive in Chester. They specialise in BMW MINI. I have supplied the parts. They are doing the crankshaft seal whilst they do it too. £600 labour which I’m happy with.

Sounds very reasonable