E90 Engine knock

qNs · 10-26-2023, 04:08 AM

Engine making weird noise on acceleration. Could it be the timing chain? Rod bearings? Vanos? Or something else?

Video with sound:
https://youtube.com/shorts/7JXZ3rPy1Yw?feature=share

marvinstockman · 10-26-2023, 09:56 AM

Start by removing the serpentine belt and see if the noise goes away.

Also, get a mechanic's stethoscope to localize noises:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mechanics..._ts-doa-p_2_11

NZE90 · 10-26-2023, 01:24 PM

Probably timing chain. Those 4 cylinder engines are really bad for stretched timing chains and broken chain guides. Get it fixed asap or you will end up with broken pieces of the plastic chain guide blocking the oil pickup and destroying the engine. Or get rid of the car and get a 6 cylinder one. The 4 cylinder engines are junk.

Remove the belt first and see if the noise goes as Marvin said. If the noise remains, then it will most likely be the chain.

crashoverride · 10-26-2023, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZE90

Probably timing chain. Those 4 cylinder engines are really bad for stretched timing chains and broken chain guides. Get it fixed asap or you will end up with broken pieces of the plastic chain guide blocking the oil pickup and destroying the engine. Or get rid of the car and get a 6 cylinder one. The 4 cylinder engines are junk.

Remove the belt first see if the noise goes as Marvin said. If the noise remains then it will most likely be the chain.

The e90 has a four cylinder option..???

The e90 has timing chain problems...??

Two things I've not heard

SlowE92 · 10-26-2023, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashoverride

The e90 has a four cylinder option..???

The e90 has timing chain problems...??

Two things I've not heard

The 320i is a 4 cylinder. The N43 engine.

NZE90 · 10-26-2023, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashoverride

The e90 has a four cylinder option..???

The e90 has timing chain problems...??

Two things I've not heard

Yes, 4 cylinders were only available in the European market. The N46 and direct injection N43. You're not missing much. They're shocking engines. It seems like the only good engines BMW made were the 6 cylinder ones. Sad they are all but gone.

crashoverride · 10-27-2023, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZE90

Yes, 4 cylinders were only available in the European market. The N46 and direct injection N43. You're not missing much. They're shocking engines. It seems like the only good engines BMW made were the 6 cylinder ones. Sad they are all but gone.

Thanks I always enjoy the opportunity to learn something.

10-26-2023, 04:08 AM	#1
qNs Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW e90 320i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: B iTrader: (0)	E90 Engine knock Engine making weird noise on acceleration. Could it be the timing chain? Rod bearings? Vanos? Or something else? Video with sound: https://youtube.com/shorts/7JXZ3rPy1Yw?feature=share
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-26-2023, 09:56 AM	#2
marvinstockman Major 427 Rep 1,111 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Start by removing the serpentine belt and see if the noise goes away. Also, get a mechanic's stethoscope to localize noises: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mechanics..._ts-doa-p_2_11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2023, 01:24 PM	#3
NZE90 Lieutenant 321 Rep 520 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Straya iTrader: (0)	Probably timing chain. Those 4 cylinder engines are really bad for stretched timing chains and broken chain guides. Get it fixed asap or you will end up with broken pieces of the plastic chain guide blocking the oil pickup and destroying the engine. Or get rid of the car and get a 6 cylinder one. The 4 cylinder engines are junk. Remove the belt first and see if the noise goes as Marvin said. If the noise remains, then it will most likely be the chain. Last edited by NZE90; 10-26-2023 at 06:31 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote