E89 timing chain issues

[B21]

FWIW I'd bail out..either out of that particular BMW E89 or as you say any BMW..

If they can't sort it out which is prety easy to do then I wouldn't want to live with it afterwards...

They do replace the oil pump drive as well as the camchasin in the upgrade..but who knows what damage is done..an are they competent to know..

Many other E89s of all sorts..

 

[Pondrew]

I have no idea! I have also found several non BMW tools for sale online for the N20 engine some of which quote the OEM tool number which they replace. They say they have looked but cannot find one. I’m starting to get a bit paranoid about all of this and wondering if there is something else at play. I can’t believe there isn’t a timing lock tool for a N20 engine at any BMW dealer workshop in the UK! The whole thing is plain odd.

So hand the car back, get your money back (plus try for a bit of compo for your inconvenience) and look for a better one.

Decent E89s come up quite regularly on the forum, generally looked after well.

 

[SV8Predator]

The timing tool set is readily available. Here's one supplier:

https://www.thetoolacademy.com/laser-6173-engine-timing-tool-set-fits-bmw-n20-2957-p.asp

 

[The.Analyst]

Time to move on

 

[pmf2uk]

Just to close out the story in case anyone finds this useful. Car fully repaired after 8 weeks in dealer. Despite being offered a rejection, I stuck with it knowing It would be hard to find that model z4 in that condition with only 35k on the clock. Car is now fine, no subtle rattling on acceleration with all work performed under BMW warranty. Excess waived, good deal on a discounted service plan and car / wheel and tyre warranties reset to the date of car returned - can’t complain to be fair, just the amount of time it took to diagnose and repair. Lessons learned for me at least:

Bought a 2015 model assuming all timing chain issues were fixed - don’t assume anything!

Don’t ignore rattles and odd noises no matter how subtle - genuinely thought it was a heat shield or something similar.

Don’t assume main dealers have the tools for the
job! A local indie I consulted had the tool and could have done the work within a week had it not been for the BMW warranty.

Good outcome in the end but it took 8 weeks to get there!

 

[pmf2uk]

Should have added - confirmed old style timing chain and guides were fitted. Warranty work included new guides, chain etc including oil pump chain.

 

[enuff_zed]

Should have added - confirmed old style timing chain and guides were fitted. Warranty work included new guides, chain etc including oil pump chain.

Are you able to determine the build date of your car?
Maybe it sat around for a while before being registered, hence the older style guides.
Or they were using up old stock engines?

But good news it's sorted anyway.

 

[pmf2uk]

I’ll try dig out the build date but could be for any of the reasons mentioned I guess. I think I have read another similar post about a post 2015 car on here. Easy to see how pre-2015 builds slipped though.

Glad I stuck with it though - I’m sure there will be other issues to deal with but worth the big grin on the right road on a sunny day with the roof down!

 

[Pondrew]

I’ll try dig out the build date but could be for any of the reasons mentioned I guess. I think I have read another similar post about a post 2015 car on here. Easy to see how pre-2015 builds slipped though.

Glad I stuck with it though - I’m sure there will be other issues to deal with but worth the big grin on the right road on a sunny day with the roof down!

IIRC the build date is written on the sticker inside the door jamb, where the paint code is.
If my memory is wrong (!) and it's not there, then it is somewhere very visible on one of the stickers.

 

[DonDon]

If you create a free account at https://www.bimmer-tech.net/ and paste your VIN in there, you will receive the full build detail, including the build date.

 

[pmf2uk]

If you create a free account at https://www.bimmer-tech.net/ and paste your VIN in there, you will receive the full build detail, including the build date.

Thanks for that - will take a look…

 

[sumotan]

The timing tool set is readily available. Here's one supplier:

https://www.thetoolacademy.com/laser-6173-engine-timing-tool-set-fits-bmw-n20-2957-p.asp

This isn't a complete set. Proper tool kit is 18 pc set