BMW N47 timing chain problem prediction.

You are asking “Are timing chains on N47 OK or it is time ti change them?” ? Then watch this video and listen to noises that can tell you "the problem is just few thousands KM ahead".
Got another one BMW with N47. BMW320d, e90, 135KW, 2011 where chain service approaches.
It is clear, that if you can hear rattling noises at back of the engine on IDLE it is time to change chains and guides now. But how to define when this problem approaches? Give an engine some rpm! And listen to it! Periodic Rattling noise that comes from back of engine.
P.S.
Now, after 2000 km noise have some progress and can be heard on IDLE also. I will post it a little later this month.

[@TheBartxxxl]

The scraping/grinding noise of the chain is kinda normal because of the timing chain guides. After changing the chain you will get that noise after a few thousand kilometers. If you hear your chain clicking or slacking at cold starts (because your chain is lengthened and you need oil pressure for the tensioner) or even worse with a warm engine than you have a serious problem

[@romeufreis]

Hello! Did you need to replace it? They were saying the M47 produced after 2010 didnt have those problem... Thanks!

[@carzone6718]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@redman4419]

helpfull video, thanks a lot

[@QuattroBajeena]

I dont get this noise when i rev the rpm. Even after I changed my timing chain e92 2009. At 91k in 2014 Now at 141k 2021 Small Noise came back in at 95k But now ive lived with it and stuck to 5w-30 8000mile oil change i do myself now. Car seems fine feels like once ive driven the car on motorway (daily drive) at 70miles i dont have any noise problems.

[@boxternsqid]

Mines on 164,000m, had it from 84,000miles always had that noise. The car has never had the timing chain replaced. Still going strong, change the oil once a year. E82 120d 2008

[@veiz-00-41]

Once a year?? Wow you should not do that man

[@aqr20197]

@@veiz-00-41 its alright to do it once a year if he didnt use it as daily or didnt drive above 8000 miles. mine is is going strong as well and i do an oil change earlier than the expected mileage. for example, if manufacturer of the oil says it should change at 10k miles i change it at 8k miles. mine is f30 2012 320d

[@boxternsqid]

I do 14,000 a year, it’s been solid. Never let me down, always use quality oil. Hasn’t missed a beat.

[@boxternsqid]

@@aqr20197 also the recommend oil change interval is 30,000km or 24 months. I’m well with in that.

[@nevenacirkovic6824]

I just bought a 2008 320d. I heard a small ticking noise (the alternator belt and pulley have to be replaced so that could be it) the car has had regular oil changes and Its currently at 123000 miles. Should I worry about timing chain?

[@GinsengStrip-wt8bl]

I've heard some N47s after timing chains repair make this sound again. It's also about the oil, after few thousand kilometers oil starts to wear out, then chains tend to make this sound.

[@headliner4936]

Oil change performed from 5w30 to 5w40 and nothing changed

[@GinsengStrip-wt8bl]

@@headliner4936 so it seems this sound isn't really consistent. In my case it made some kind of "woosh woosh" noise for a few minutes after driving the car, just after cold start, as engine warmed up the sound went away. Did 100k kilometers with this sound, changed timing chains just to be sure, sound came back after 10k. I don't even care about it anymore. My friends engine is the same.

[@starstencahl8985]

@@GinsengStrip-wt8bl So you have a repeating scratching sound like "tssts tssts tssts.."? That's why my N47 does and it didn't get any louder in around 10.000km since I bought it yet. I'm unsure whether it's the chain problem or just a "comfort problem" noise as bmw described it Edit: I now know that my 2008 E91 with the N47 engine got a new upper chain and new chain tensioners and guides in 2014, so after they fixed the problem in 2013. It still makes this rhythmic scraping noise

[@kora25719]

@@GinsengStrip-wt8bl same thing on my 320d , the new chain has 60000 km oil change every 10000 to 13000 km. When its realy cold noting to hear only typical loud diesel sound, when i start driving or after 5 min of engine running it started to sound little like wosh wosh then when car reaches operating temp it goes away. In the summer sound goes away way faster, and this sound apeared after 15000 km after the new timing chain was installed

[@GinsengStrip-wt8bl]

@@kora25719 exactly the same in my case. In the summer I cant really hear it, almost like it's not there.

[@justso1823]

Did well for the milage

[@200degrees.]

My chain stretched at 96,000 miles , N47D20C engine is notorious for this problem…

[@nibs91]

my 118D has had the same noise for the last 6 years when bought from the dealership at 40k miles. Had no issues so far...

[@MrKieranps1990]

Same 118d noisey tractor, same noise on 86k miles now what's your one clocking?

[@leenevin8451]

How often are you changing the oil?

[@edva135]

you had the same swishhh swishh sound ?

[@diqdaq.]

Mines actually louder. Bought it with noises at 111.000km and now im at 201.000km without the timing chain tearing apart. Theres actually no evidence that the timing chain will tear when you hear noises!

[@kriszml]

Extremly smart timg to do to drive that car without checking at least the tensioners extension. But one thing you right about. The indication of the timing chain fault is when you dont hear no more noises. I mean nothing after a big bang.. Smart..

[@Baryogenese]

BWM checked my chain at 130.000 and told me, the chain needs to be replaced, but I didn't felt spending 2600€. My car made it to 309.000 km then it started to burn massive amounts of oil, but the chain still worked.

[@kriszml]

@@Baryogenese Burn massive amounts of oil... What was your oil change service intervals? The chain just pure luck. It could snap any time. The problem is not only the chance of failure of the chain but also because the chain is streching a lot the timing of the engine is way off. The reason is why BMW told you that your chain needs to be replaced because your tensioner is extended out fully and could not compensate for the longer chain. Not to mention that because of the extreme high milage in the engine without the chain and bearing replacement the crankshaft is junk. I seen quite few of these n47-57 engines and around 200 000 km the crankshaft bearings are worn and start to damage the crankshaft. It depends of the usage of the car and the oil change service interval. It so easy to buy these cars but the real challenge is to keep them serviced properly. These engines are week and bad design.

[@Baryogenese]

@@kriszml 130.000 was the last service I did, after that, I just drove to the end. I still have had the car standing in my shed, for about 3 years now, last year I drove a bit in my backyard, and the engine still sounds ok, if you ignore the oil burning...

[@Manuel-gs6qw]

​@@Baryogenese so you never changed the oil in the 180k km you drove to 310k?

[@Schnubbi07]

Bought my E91 320d from 10/2011 with 90.000km with this noise from the chain. It now has 256.000km, same noise, oil change after 25-30.000km...

[@kungfuhustle6363]

So your just waiting for it to snap?

[@Schnubbi07]

@@kungfuhustle6363Because it is the facelift model I have the N47N engine. According to BMW it has a revised chain system which will not snap anymore

[@federicopuca1966]

Io cambierei l'olio ogni 15- max 20.000 km, non conviene risparmiare sull'olio perché hai anche una turbina da lubrificare...

[@jurislauva7352]

​@@Schnubbi07 Thanks for these words, I'm worried about chain... Cuz mine is at 385t/km

[@Winter1256]

Oil change on N47 maximum 10.000km and the engine will run forever

[@mitsumpria9601]

Did mine in the M47 a week ago

[@RalphWiggum93]

Exactly whats happening on my e92, new chain here i come.

[@eduardosousa8395]

what year is the car?

[@RalphWiggum93]

2010, changed it already!

[@GTAGaming94]

@@RalphWiggum93 What did it cost?

[@nickolasseesannyland6355]

@@RalphWiggum93 hello, did it fix the sound or did it come back right after?

[@RalphWiggum93]

@@GTAGaming94 in Ireland 1700 euros

[@mange7909]

A lot of people been saying that they have this exact sound and their engines is still fine and put tons of miles on it. Isn’t this sound just original sound? Or classic diesel tick sound?

[@kriszml]

These engines will fail no question about. Not only the timing chain but the crankshaft bearings also and a cp4 fuel pump. These parts are just normal service items on these engines around 200000 km. including N57 also.

[@bigman7083]

@@kriszml literally haven't changed one of those things and i'm at over 230000km dont say things you don't know

[@kriszml]

@@bigman7083 ok..you will find.out 😄. I am working on these engines every day but you know better. At the end, I dont care what you do but dont cry when the bearing spin around in the block.

[@davedixon6372]

mine was doing this also kept coming up with battery drain all the time so i ripped the engine out and changed the chain clutch and flywheel while i was at it drives like a new car again

[@xXxBo5sANaCxXx]

Could it actually be flywheel?

[@200degrees.]

Yes you also can tell if the gearstick is shaking also with a bad flywheel .

[@davidga6272]

How is it now? Did you change chain? How many miles?

[@headliner4936]

I Don't know if owner changed his chains, but he was warned about that.

[@garydeandeery]

Had mine 5 years now got 107 thousand miles 60 reg 120d Iv no noises but thinking should I do mine now

[@fernandog4009]

I’ve got 105k on my 328d, wondering the same thing

[@danielsoares1103]

Bought my n47 with 50.000km and it was already making this noise. Fast forward 10 years to 209.000km and no issue occurred. Not saying it can't break but this noise can't be the imminent failure announcement.

[@bathanmark]

What model year of N47 is that? What version N47D20A or N47D20C? Thanks

[@danielsoares1103]

@@bolitedando5307 Because I want be to on the lookout to change the chain if needed.

[@edicius9836]

I only hear this when its cold .. gonna replace it in any case since im at 120k km now...

[@stef5436]

Hi, i have the same sound, bmw 640d f13 2012, do you change the chain? Some people told thats normal...? Only at 1800 - 2500rpm, and only when the engine is hot, when the engine is cold, i cant hear nothing. No issue at the idle (cold or hot)

[@headliner4936]

HI! Your engine is different. Possibly you can drive for some time, but should listen for noise progress. And as I remember on your engine should be noise for 1-5 seconds when you start COLD ENGINE. I have one more video on the channel about this.

[@stef5436]

@@headliner4936hi, thanks for answer :) I have no noises at the cold start. Only when the engine is hot, then i have the same noise as the video.

[@kluuzi]

​@@stef5436same with mine, and i confused whether to big job or look for other factors??

[@vidasjonusas5455]

N47 engines is the bad form chains,some times need changed 100,000 km

[@huggy15]

Same noise 142000 miles 2013 320d..never had an issue

[@davedixon6372]

yet 🤣🤣

[@huggy15]

Good one dave😘

[@wr450f]

best oil for n47d20c is LL04 0w30, 5w30 or 5w40?

[@erionikonomishk5999]

5w30

[@scottkothe2479]

My car does the same thing been driving with I close to a year now, someone told me I would try 5w40 oil instead of 5w30, would be a cheap fix

[@headliner4936]

I’ve tried 5w40... It did no magic.

[@scottkothe2479]

@@headliner4936 you can get the chain check by a bmw service it cost a bit but then you sure if it’s to long or not.

[@scottkothe2479]

@Matthew Plowman yeah it’s still running, it’s done 160k with the same chain now and it’s from 2010

[@baidongwu4088]

OMG, the rattling noise seems to be more serious on my car because I found that when I use 2-3000 rpm, there is obviously and weird noise and shaking of the car body.

[@leenevin8451]

if u change it then change oil every 6k, it'll last forever

[@bokibo87]

You need to top up your blinker fluid.

[@alex_n47d20a]

hmm,, really 5-10k km? Personally, I believe it can break even next day, noise is extremelly bad...

[@Evilwolf21]

Isnt the C engine supposed to be better at staying alive than the A one?

[@headliner4936]

Yes! it is better.

[@kamgamble8121]

200000 miles 320d no rattle , oil change and filter every 5000 miles on dot

[@davedixon6372]

good going that my 123d is on 145k and just changed mine it started having a rattle and battery drain on it all the time

[@slaveboys9359]

same bro

[@jetrex1986]

My brother has a light which keep coming on --been told its the chain £1500 to replace.

[@headliner4936]

Light? Check engine light?

[@uk.leonardosants]

Engine light coming on and light rattling sound. 104k miles. My mechanic told me that I need to change timing chain. 😬

[@jetrex1986]

@@headliner4936 Chain replaced light now red lol

[@headliner4936]

@@uk.leonardosants , wich error code is showing on?

[@headliner4936]

@@jetrex1986 red light? Where? As error code?

[@zhelapro4728]

change timing chain before you destroy engine, don't drive like that

[@duledamjan150]

Mislim da se čuje lanac

[@mladenjovanovic9606]

Menja se odmah@@bolitedando5307

[@pedroteixeira6595]

chaîne de distribution

[@johanneshagg4877]

Bad noise from n47 is always timing chain! Or maybe not? Strange noise from my wife's n47 could be something else - but I really need advice. I posted a clip to describe the noise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZXVdGNqjt-EY7M

[@markomikic6394]

Flywheel

[@headliner4936]

on automatic gear box?🙃

[@karjalakat6139]

@@headliner4936 there is also a flywheel on an autotrans

[@headliner4936]

@@karjalakat6139 Yes, there is, but it is solid and without any moving parts...