Replacement Timing Chain @ 43k Miles!! Update

[horseofwar]

Had my car in the garage today getting looked over as it's had a dodgy idle and farty exhaust note for the last few weeks. Diagnosis as follows;

1. Coil packs on cylinders 2-4 (thank god I only bought the 4 cylinder) need replaced
2. Seal on exhaust manifold needs replaced
3. The 'Big One'... Timing chain needs replaced as it's stretched

It's going to be a pretty hefty bill by the sounds of things (waiting on BMW getting back to me with costing) so as I've only had the car ca. 2 months I'm going to find out if any of this will be covered under warranty though I'm guessing they'll play the 'wear and tear' trump card!

The car car is a 56 plate with only 43k miles so although it's not the newest it's not covered that many miles. I'm going to contact BMW too but I doubt I'll get anywhere with them either. I was always under the impression that chains were for the 'life of the engine' if serviced regularly (which it has been as per service schedule).

Has anyone had a similar experience with chains failing prematurely and do you think BMW would entertain covering a % of the repair cost?

 

[andysat]

Bloody ell!- I thought timing chains lasted for 'life'

 

[Smartbear]

43k miles is NOT normal wear & tear for a timing chain!
Is it rattling? Sounds odd to me that your car was running oddly due to duff coil packs & the garage have found this problem as well-I would pay for the coils & see how it runs/sounds, take it to another garage for a second opinion.
Regards

 

[horseofwar]

That's what I thought, hence why they make them so damn inaccessible to replace :headbang:

I've been quoted a ball-park figure of £700-£800 for all the work above, which was less than I expected. Still hoping I might be covered under used car warranty or BMW decide to take pity on me :roll:

Seems pretty rare though, not much on the forum about these failing. Guess I'm one of the unlucky few :x

 

[Smartbear]

That's what I thought, hence why they make them so damn inaccessible to replace :headbang:

I've been quoted a ball-park figure of £700-£800 for all the work above, which was less than I expected. Still hoping I might be covered under used car warranty or BMW decide to take pity on me :roll:

Seems pretty rare though, not much on the forum about these failing. Guess I'm one of the unlucky few :x

Don't get it replaced until you've had a second opinion, have they ruled out a faulty tensioner? It would make an obvious noise if it was worn enough to need replacing, did your engine have a loose chain rattling sound?

 

[andysat]

That's what I thought, hence why they make them so damn inaccessible to replace :headbang:

I've been quoted a ball-park figure of £700-£800 for all the work above, which was less than I expected. Still hoping I might be covered under used car warranty or BMW decide to take pity on me :roll:

Seems pretty rare though, not much on the forum about these failing. Guess I'm one of the unlucky few :x

BMW may help as goodwill if nothing else.

 

[Grumpyowl]

That's what I thought, hence why they make them so damn inaccessible to replace :headbang:

I've been quoted a ball-park figure of £700-£800 for all the work above, which was less than I expected. Still hoping I might be covered under used car warranty or BMW decide to take pity on me :roll:

Seems pretty rare though, not much on the forum about these failing. Guess I'm one of the unlucky few :x

Don't get it replaced until you've had a second opinion, have they ruled out a faulty tensioner? It would make an obvious noise if it was worn enough to need replacing, did your engine have a loose chain rattling sound?

Good advice Smartbear

 

[horseofwar]

That's what I thought, hence why they make them so damn inaccessible to replace :headbang:

I've been quoted a ball-park figure of £700-£800 for all the work above, which was less than I expected. Still hoping I might be covered under used car warranty or BMW decide to take pity on me :roll:

Seems pretty rare though, not much on the forum about these failing. Guess I'm one of the unlucky few :x

Don't get it replaced until you've had a second opinion, have they ruled out a faulty tensioner? It would make an obvious noise if it was worn enough to need replacing, did your engine have a loose chain rattling sound?

I'm not sure what a loose timing belt would sound like It did seem to make a pronounced ticking/clicking noise, I'm not sure if that would be it? I've covered 600 miles in the last 4 days without a hint of a engine issue. Only the a noise which sounded like a partially blown exhaust (guessing that's the exhaust seal) and the engine idle that would drop suddenly at a standstill which made the car feel like it was going to stall (although it never did!)

It's in a 'BMW Specialist' just now so I'm guessing they would have looked at the pre-tensioner?! Perhaps it's worth taking it to another garage for a second opinion before I part with my hard earned cash as it does seem like a rare failure

 

[Stuart Truman]

Get advice. I think that if a fault like this manifests itself within a certain time from purchase you can infer a pre-existing fault.

Check with a lawyer or citizens advice.

 

[horseofwar]

Get advice. I think that if a fault like this manifests itself within a certain time from purchase you can infer a pre-existing fault.

Check with a lawyer or citizens advice.

I'll speak to the dealership I bought the car from tomorrow and see what they say. I'm not great with car mechanics but a friend said that a timing chain doesn't just stretch overnight and that if it is faulty it should have been picked up pre-sale.

Think I'll be spending most of tomorrow on the phone!

Also gutted as I had my eyes on a set of CSL reps. Bang goes that idea if I have to cough up :headbang:

 

[Swiftly]

Hope you get it resolved quicky, and as others have said, its not normal and I would also be seeking a second opinion.

 

[horseofwar]

So had a bit of a decent result..
After numerous phone calls and emails the dealership I bought the car from has agreed to repair the car under warranty at my garage of choice. New timing chain, coil packs and exhaust manifold. They've set up a PO with my garage so I don't have to spend a penny. My eyes were watering at the potential bill which would really have tainted my second Zed experience for sure!
Should get the car back next week and I can't wait woot!!!

Also I have a quick question if I may... While the car is undergoing this fairly extensive job is there anything else I should look to replace at the same time to save labour costs in the future (water pumps or that kind of thing)? Car is 56 plate, 2.0l with 43k miles.

Thanks again for all the advice, really made me fight my corner

 

[andysat]

Great result!

 

[ronk]

Pleased for you!