N20 engine whine

[Gjm91]

Hi all - not sure if I’m being paranoid but starting to notice a whine from the engine which is worse when it starts from cold . When the engine is warm the whine is still there but much less pronounced .
I have listened to a number of you tube videos which show the sound of the timing chain whine - mine isn’t as loud as these but getting worried it’s the start of this problem- any one else with the 2.0 N20 engine have a engine whine or should I be planning a timing chain change - thanks in advance for any advice Greg

 

[Anonymous]

What year and how many miles has your N20 done?

Is it stop start?

How often has the oil been changed.

Depending on those answers it could be on borrowed time..if so..the advice is to immediately stop driving it as swarf is being ingested into the engine already... :thumbsdown:

FEBI Bilstein does the replacement chain/tensioner/guides at a reasonable price plus you need a new crankshaft sprocket to suit...assuming its not under bmw warranty..

 

[Gjm91]

Hi pbondar mileage is 44k it’s start stop and 2012 year- oil changed at 12000, 24000,31000,37000 and 43000. Getting worried now

 

[Smartbear]

Hi pbondar mileage is 44k it’s start stop and 2012 year- oil changed at 12000, 24000,31000,37000 and 43000. Getting worried now

Do you have warranty on your car? :?
Rob

 

[Gjm91]

Took out extended warranty with Auto protect- runs out in July

 

[Anonymous]

So you’re car fits the profile of an increased probability that you have incipient /actual cam chain tensioner failure...

As I said the only definitive way to check is to lift the cam box cover and check...but I would give worst than 50/50 odds on it..

In your case it’s a warranty job..there’s lots on the internet about N20 cam chain/tensioner/guide failures and the remedy if caught soon enough us about £300 bits /oil etc and about 10 hours labour...

Make sure you get the second generation cam chain / guide assembly..FEBI Bilstein is the factory one with the bmw name individually ground off the plastics...you need a new ccrankshaft sprocket to match and it’s a serious job so I wouldn’t take it to your normal oil change type garage..

Of course this is all IMHO..

Do not drive it as swarf will clog the oil pump up and then it’s good night Vienna for the whole engine..

 

[Pooltee]

Just out of curiosity, does this noise sound like a beating that is failing? I get a noise on tick over that sounds a bit like a water pump bearing / alternator pulley that is on the early stages of failure. Quite a deep but discrete sound.

Now a little concerned that it could also be chain....

 

[Gjm91]

Hi thanks for the replies - going mad googling the cam chain issue -not even sure if the noise has always been present -Pooltee-my noise is a high pitch whine that’s just audible above the general engine noise and almost disappears once warm. The general consensus from the internet is that the noise associated with the cam chain failure is pretty loud and sounds like a dying cat ! Mine does not sound as bad as this or the ones on you tube -Been checking and No signs of wear or slack when cam chain viewed from oil filler cap - going to ring warranty co on Monday to see where I go next

 

[Anonymous]

Hi thanks for the replies - going mad googling the cam chain issue -not even sure if the noise has always been present -Pooltee-my noise is a high pitch whine that’s just audible above the general engine noise and almost disappears once warm. The general consensus from the internet is that the noise associated with the cam chain failure is pretty loud and sounds like a dying cat ! Mine does not sound as bad as this or the ones on you tube -Been checking and No signs of wear or slack when cam chain viewed from oil filler cap - going to ring warranty co on Monday to see where I go next

The key normal failure point is the guides failing first so can chain tension may appear ok..as I said a cam box off and look at the guides..the mk 1 version were dirty brown colour and started to break up, by the time the tension went you were into jumping sprocket teeth and hasta la vista babe..

The camchain was updated but it was the plastic guides that were the initial failure point...