[CarAbuser]

Just been browsing through some threads about the timing chain rattle issue with the N47 engine and saw a video in one that sounded similar to my engine.

I don't know if it's just paranoia but my engine seems to have a similar sound in the background. It's not there on startup of the car but after the car has been revved the sound then appears.

This is the video of the timing chain rattle I saw posted in one of the threads (this is not my engine):

And this is a video of my engine just now while parked in my garage:
My Engine

The engine has always sounded like that, I just assumed it was a pump making the noise.

If it is the dreaded timing chain rattle then I will probably opt to chop it in for another E92 rather than pay the £2000 repair when it snaps!

Interested to hear from other 320d owners, if everyone elses engine sounds like that then it will put my mind at rest.

[TripleBlack]

Mine makes the same noise, if not worse.

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by TripleBlack

Mine makes the same noise, if not worse.

Do you know what it is that makes that noise?

[TripleBlack]

no, but I'm hoping some one comes along as tells you/us. The only way I'm going to find out next is when I take it in for a service.

There are occasions if you leave it to idle you will hear a distinctive knock which only goes if you play with the accelerator.
I hate pulling up at the lights and being next to a car that has an engine banging away like that now my one is doing it.

[CarAbuser]

Bit of a bump.

Anyone think the noise is anything to worry about?

[:dziqsek:]

I have same sound when i bought the car 3 years and 60.000 km ago, sound not increased a bit from that time and car still runs perfect so i dont think you need to worry about it.

[CarAbuser]

Thanks, I appreciate the reply.

I wouldn't be too bothered about turbo or clutch failure since you can sort them out for less than a grand but if that timing chain goes it's a world of pain!

[TripleBlack]

Left my car running whilst I ran into the shops for a second on a quiet road. (Left my girlfriend in charge)
As I returned the noise coming from underneath the bonnet was significantly noticable, I havent heard any other motor that sounds like it on idle..... Well I have... a beat up banger!

The front was 'chugger chugging' away whilst the back had a nice exhaust rumble. Really looking forward to this upcoming service, hopefully something will be found that will be cheap and easy to fix

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by TripleBlack

Left my car running whilst I ran into the shops for a second on a quiet road. (Left my girlfriend in charge)
As I returned the noise coming from underneath the bonnet was significantly noticable, I havent heard any other motor that sounds like it on idle..... Well I have... a beat up banger!

The front was 'chugger chugging' away whilst the back had a nice exhaust rumble. Really looking forward to this upcoming service, hopefully something will be found that will be cheap and easy to fix

Rough idle on the 335i is often a symptom of HPF issues from what i've gathered on the main part of the forum. On the NA petrol engines it's the injectors and coil packs that make it idle rough, not sure if the 335i has those issues.

[TripleBlack]

Hmm! I know what that means ££££!!

[aurelios69]

Hi, both should take a look at this, http://translate.google.pt/translate...enal-578548%2F
Petrol engines don't seem to suffer from this serious problem.

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by aurelios69

Hi, both should take a look at this, http://translate.google.pt/translate...enal-578548%2F
Petrol engines don't seem to suffer from this serious problem.

Thanks for the link, the videos there are very helpful.

[FNQ]

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

Just been browsing through some threads about the timing chain rattle issue with the N47 engine and saw a video in one that sounded similar to my engine.

I don't know if it's just paranoia but my engine seems to have a similar sound in the background. It's not there on startup of the car but after the car has been revved the sound then appears.

This is the video of the timing chain rattle I saw posted in one of the threads (this is not my engine):

And this is a video of my engine just now while parked in my garage:
My Engine

The engine has always sounded like that, I just assumed it was a pump making the noise.

If it is the dreaded timing chain rattle then I will probably opt to chop it in for another E92 rather than pay the £2000 repair when it snaps!

Interested to hear from other 320d owners, if everyone elses engine sounds like that then it will put my mind at rest.

If that is the exact noise as yours, it is coming from the timing chain.

Mine, a September 2008 and at 130k has just been in to have the timing chains, sprockets & guides replaced. At first, at 100k I thought I had picked up a grain of sand in one of the groves of the drive belt as the noise was slower than engine revs. I removed the belt and ran up the engine for a minute but the noise was still there. I realised it was coming from the timing area as the timing of the noise was at audible at about 1/10th of engine rpm. Indicating a chain link or gear tooth problem. I could have timed the noise and then divided it into engine rpm and narrowed it down to a chain or gear.

Anyway when it was pulled down the only noticable item was that the cam chain had a slightly stiff link. It looked like new with no stretch. The gears were like new. The guides had about 0.25mm wear if that, just a scuff.

I had expected lots of wear and stretch as I also had an oil analysis done indicating something wearing prematurely.

The noise must be amplified by the aluminium case.

It almost feels like it was pulled down for nothing, but it had to, as it could have had a cracked chain link ready to snap etc...

Anyway it is all fixed now and cruising.

All the best with yours

as

[CarAbuser]

Mine isn't as severe as those in the videos and only seems to be audible after the car has been driven, I asked a mechanic when it was in for its MOT and he agreed that it could be the timing chain but I shouldn't be too concerned unless it get any worse.

[chrisbmwcy]

Originally Posted by :*******:

I have same sound when i bought the car 3 years and 60.000 km ago, sound not increased a bit from that time and car still runs perfect so i dont think you need to worry about it.

Same here,

I have it for over a year, since bought car. I will ask my mechanic when I take in for a service next month. He will tell me what needs to be changed.. hope not all the timing chain mechanism

[AdrianSi]

Had to have mine done on my N57 engine... under warranty but yes sounds like both of those videos. Gets worse about 1500-2500rpm on the N57.

[N47_2011oilburner]

Hello fellow N47 engine users. Please help me identify the issue/sound from the engine. No idle or misfire issues. What do you think the sound is and the possible fix? I have already ordered the forte top end treatment and forte injector cleaner to try to see if that would help.

https://youtube.com/shorts/TneMgt_jLgs

Its a 2011 e90 with 110000 miles which i just purchased last week.

[N47_2011oilburner]

The sound seems to there only when i have driven it around a bit and the engine is warmed up. There is no sound on a cold start.