The BMW N47 is an Inline 4-cylinder diesel engine that has been installed in the BMW 1, 2, 3, and 5 series, respectively X1 and X3, diesel variants, that were produced from 2007 to about 2014. This engine is prone to excessive timing chain wear and premature failures.

Contents hide

1 Timing Chain Failure

2 Diagnosis

3 Replacement and Repairs

4 Conclusion

Timing Chain Failure

The timing chain in this engine is placed at the rear side of the engine and is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. Being in such an inaccessible place also makes its replacement not an easy task. Parts normally installed in such inaccessible places are designed to last for the life of the engine, but not in this case. The timing chain in the N47 can fail anywhere between 40 to 100k miles and can cause serious damage to the engine as its parts lose synchronization.

Diagnosis

Most of the time, when the timing chain breaks off inside the engine, it also damages the engine components, which leads to huge repair bills. This problem can also be diagnosed prior to its complete failure by looking out for a rattling noise from the rear side of the engine.

Replacement and Repairs

The timing chain being in such an inaccessible place requires the mechanic to take the engine completely out of its bay to get good access to the chain. Taking the engine out is itself a big and hefty task. After that, it is another hefty disassembly that provides you access to the chains themselves

The timing chain replacement kit consists of 3 chains, for the oil pump, camshaft, and high-pressure fuel pump. You also need to have a tool kit to lock the crankshaft and camshaft in their place while working on them so that they do not lose synchronization. After getting the engine out from the bay these are the major steps that must be performed to replace the timing chains.

Firstly, ensure that cylinders 1 and 4 are at the top dead center, to maintain the point for synchronizing the points in accordance with it.
Lock your crank shafts at this place with the looking tools you have.
Take the tensioner for the camshaft chain out to loosen the chain a bit and loosen the 3 bolts on the camshaft sprocket.
Loosening the high-pressure fuel pump will make the process of getting the fuel pump sprocket off easier.
Take out the bolts holding the fly wheel and get the flywheel off the crankshaft.
Undo the bolts of the starter motor to further get access to take out the oil sump.
Take the oil sump out by undoing the corresponding bolts.
Now take the timing cover out by undoing the bolts and holding it in place. It will require a bit of prying and light taps from the hammer. Now you will have access to all the chains and sprockets.
Now remove the oil pump sprocket and the guides for the oil pump by undoing the bolts. Remove the chain for the oil pump.
Similarly, remove the guides and tensioner for the camshaft sprocket and take out the sprocket along with the belt.
Now rotate the crankshaft 45 degrees after TDC and undo the tensioner, guides, and sprockets for the high-pressure fuel pump. Take the belt along with the sprockets out as well.
The last thing would be your oil sprayer; you can remove it for replacement if needed.
After that, place the new belts in reverse order, ensuring all components remain in sync till the end.

Conclusion

This timing chain issue is a critical flaw in the engine’s design and the best way to solve it is to avoid the cars with this N47 engine or get rid of it in running order if you can. As this engine also faces many problems due to the emission control devices installed in it such as the EGR and DPF.

We recommend you to read more details regarding the BMW N4 engine problems in our article below: