►Part One of Two: There is one major Achilles heel with the BMW N20 and BMW N26 engines, the timing chain. On these two motors, the N20 and N26 Timing Chain issues are known to cause potentially catastrophic effects if not maintained properly. Because there isn’t much information out there regarding how to actually replace the timing chain and guides, we put together this start-to-finish DIY video to show you how it’s done.
Read this BMW N20 timing chain replacement DIY with detailed photos step-by-step on our blog: https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-replace-the-bmw-n20-timing-chain-part-1-removal
This is part one of two on our BMW N20/N26 timing chain DIY. Part two, linked below, outlines the installation, re-assembly, and start-up procedures.
Watch Part Two (Installation and Startup) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPfSWV1WQaw&list=PL691E5829632F8FF7&index=2&t=0s
BMW N20 Timing Chain Extended Warranty: Recently, BMW released an extended warranty that covers the timing chain and drive chain for the oil pump. A limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 7 years/70,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for passenger cars and light trucks.
BMW N20 Timing Chain Tool Kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-timing-tool-kit-cta-7675?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
BMW Flex Plate Lock Tool: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-flex-plate-lock-tool-cta-2801?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
BMW Balance Shaft Seal Tool Kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-n20-oil-pump-seal-tool-kit-cta-manufacturing-7676?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
BMW N20/N26 Timing Chain Parts Kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-n20-n26-timing-chain-kit-11318648732kt?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
BMW N20 Oil Change Kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-oil-change-kit-liqui-moly-5w40-11427640862kt-lm?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
How To Tell If Your BMW N20/N26 Timing Chain Needs Replacing: One of the biggest telltale signs your timing chain is going bad can be determined just by listening to it. You can listen to this noise in the video at 44 seconds in.
BMW N20 Timing Chain Replacement Costs: If you were to take a comparable vehicle to your local BMW dealership and have the job quoted/installed, depending on parts/availability/location, we estimate a roughly $5,000 estimate for parts and labor.
N20 N26 Timing Chain Replacement DIY Tools:
Breaker bar
Torque wrench
Pick
Flathead screwdriver
Mirror
Magnet
Flashlight
Oil filter wrench
10,13,14, 17 wrenches
E8 wrench,
T30, t40, t45
8mm 5mm hex sockets
27, 24, 22, 16, 10, 8 mm sockets
E20, E12, E10, E8, E7, E6 sockets
Index:
Put the car into neutral 00:00
Remove the engine bay plastics 02:45
Remove the underbody panels 05:42
Drain the oil and disconnect the battery 06:28
Remove the strut brace 08:23
Remove the electrical connections from the cylinder head 08:55
Remove the fuel delivery system 14:09
Remove the vacuum pump and camshaft solenoids 16:26
Remove the valve cover 18:23
Set the engine at top dead center 22:37
Remove the crankshaft bolt 30:07
Remove the oil pan 31:45
Remove the upper timing chain 34:13
Remove the oil pump drive assembly 44:05
This DIY fits the following vehicles:
F30 ,F31, F32, E84 , F10 , F25 , E89
2012-2016 BMW 328i
2012-2016 BMW 528i
2012-2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i
2013-2015 BMW X1 sDrive28i
2013-2018 BMW 320i
2014-2016 BMW 428i
2014-2016 BMW 228i
2015-2017 BMW X3 sDrive28i
2015-2016 BMW 428i Gran Coupe
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Shop the parts used in this video here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-n20-n26-timing-chain-kit-11318648732kt?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=f30%20mps&utm_content=timing%20chain%20diy
What year car was this?
How many miles did this car have on it??
Hi I have 320i 2012 4 door sedan. Does DIY works for it. Thanks.
This kit you sale is the best one quality !! How about the timing kit is re designed like 2015 or something like that THIS KIT is like that better than OEM ?
WOW this work is intense no wonder BMW charge upward 5k to do the work. Wow i hope they cover mines if not I am going to trade the car and go Honda.
Great job with the step by step guide and explanation along the way. A very nice added feature was the time stamps. This is a high quality video from a high quality company. Thanks FCP Euro.
Camera guy please do a better job showing everything.
Change your oil much more often then BMW says to do so should really help the minimize this issue. I really believe the long time between oil changes that BMW says is ok is part of the problem with things like this. Oil is cheap, engines and this job are not.
I want to do "DIY" that. No drain coolant? And can not i do it if i dont have a car lift? I have a rhino car ramp 4 pcs. I think it can all wheels lift the ramps.
i have an N20 engine in my 2013 528ixdrive, are there any numbers or sort of statistics or reports on how many cars are effected out of all the cars with n20's or n26's (built prior to 2015 or so) across the entire country, is it that prevelant if the car isn't abused and taken proper care of?
Awesome video, Id love to tackle this myself. Is there any chance you guys would rent the tools with a deposit if you buy the kit? Id buy the kit if I could but the one time use tools id use once and are expensive.
So N20 have bad timing chains and N54 have bad crank hubs. WTF is BMW doing? Do they even test these motors?
can I bring my 2015 X1 in for you to fix? Man that is some finiky working on these engines Great job
Good video. I do have a question though. I am trying to get TDC but the intake cam is off by 3 teeth while the exhaust is aligned. How do I get the timing tool attached if the flat is that far off?
Tomorrow ill trade in my f22 (n20) 2014 for a f22 2018.
Would this cause fine dust particles of metal in the oil just stripped mine the chain was very slack and should i replace the oil pump?
GREAT video !!! My N20 engine is reaching 65K miles with only 5 more months to reach 7 years. The engine is still smooth without abnormal noises. I have been thinking on when I would have to replace this chain. Most probably at 100K mark is the engine does not develop any noises by then. Definitively, I am counting with FCP Euro for all parts and tools for this job.
cylinder #4 cam lobes must be in beginning to intake and ending exhaust positions. That's when cylinder #1 is top dead center. This is based on the 1342 firing order.