BMW 116 cam belt/timing problems?
 

Just a quick poll of the community to see if others have come across this.

A friend has a 3 1/2 year old BMW 116i, just about 6 months out of warranty and a couple of weeks ago it spluttered to a halt and wouldn't fire up.

Everyone figured it was just a faulty ignition sensor or similar but the local garage swapped the ones that the ecu fault coded and still no joy. So they shipped the car across to a BMW dealer who implied they might know what the problem is and it could be expensive (£3000 expensive), so they've looked this week and from what I can gather from my mate (who is not car savy) the cam timing has slipped or belt/chain snapped so there is some internal damage to repair and they are looking at something like a £3K bill (car's only valued at £7k).

I know they maybe should have took an extended warranty but they were looking to change in the next month or so and figured that a BMW wouldn't let them down.... oops.

So, has anyone else come across this, heard about similar problems? The dealer is applying to BMW for 'goodwill' to help with the payment but this isn't guaranteed to come through. Seems strange to me that the dealer suggested they knew what it might be before looking at it, implying others have had a problem... done a google but not come up with anything myself.

Cheers,
Richard.

If the car is out of warranty but has service history and the history was up do date and complete then likely faulty part or work so would look to the garage who serviced it for compensation.

for example if it had a cambelt service at 45k (due every 45k) and it then snapped at 80K, not due for another 10k then faulty part/workmanship. However, some parts like belts need chaging by a certain date/no of years usually laid out in the service book.

No too sure how this relates if a timing chain, not too many cars fitted with them these days.


So, questions
How many miles?
how old?
Service history up to date?

In my experience, BMW may well fix the issue out of goodwill.

The first crop of 1 series that were previously company & lease vehicles (ie 3 yrs old) are now hitting the 2nd hand market, so you would think they would like to keep the reputation of the car untarnished.

I hope I'm right for your friends sake.

Cheers for the input, it's been his wife's car and only a local run about really, not sure on the miles but it will be pretty low, only 3 and a half years old and I'd be surprised if it is more than 15K to 20K miles.

The BMW N45 like nearly all BMW engines (barring the old non-vanos 4-pots) has a timing chain. It is therefore a non-serviceable item.

The chain runs along plastic guides...pretty much like any other modern engine with a chain driven top end. But concern arises if a guide should break, or tensioner fail. The chain will be loose on the one side and may jump a few teeth during start up or engine overrun.

Either way, unless its dropped a valve and damaged a piston (new engine time), I can't see how this is a £3K job. Unlike the N46, its not a valvetronic head, so far from complicated, although it may have hollow camshafts -like the N52 engine. Which might not take too kindly to opening a valve onto a piston ;) Another excuse for cost could be individual parts availability (cams, valves, followers etc), so maybe that £3K is for a complete new top end, as opposed to a rebuilt head (and I doubt BMW rebuild cylinder heads anyway).

Personally, considering the car's age I'd try getting BMW to repair on good will. The exception is if they feel the car has been abused in some way (overreved springs to mind, no issue if its an auto though ;) ).

Thanks for the input, BMW have agreed to fully fund the fix - garage reckons about a £4K bill in total - sounds like a right mess, pistons/valves have contacted each other and they did'nt get on very well :( so quite a hefty rebuild is needed.

Hi

The exact same thing has happened to my BMW 1 Series, which is also 6 months out of warranty. Can you please tell me which garage you took this to, what date and any other details you could give that would help with my case?

Thanks in advance.

^^^^^^^^^^

Most BMW dealers are doing it on goodwill....You just pay for parts..Usually around £300.

There are loads doing it,so dealers rarely put up an argument.

Hi
Would anyone be able to provide any info on BMW dealers doing this on goodwill, or advice to get it.
They have only offered me 80% payment, which at over £5K is far too much.
Thanks.

116i timing chain problem
 

Exactly the same has happened to me. Bought an approved used 116i from BMW 13 months ago with a 12 month warranty and now the timing belt has slipped which has unleashed hell in the engine. Car only done 43k and i bought it at 34k so only driven 9k and had it serviced twice this year!! very bad luck but BMW who I bought it off have given me no indication of any "goodwill" so far. It looks like I'm going to have to kick off!! :mad: Does anyone know what my chances of a goodwill payment are through BMW?

the plastic chain guide is very very prone to breaking about half way down the front casing, it does not cause major damage to fix but the new parts to replace are the costly part as you need a locking kit for cams/ oil pump, also new plastic chain guide, adjuster units and all gaskets. all in all about £1200.....use only genuine parts. oh and some one to fit the parts......preferably a bmw specialist not average garage repair!!!! good luck

It's back in with BMW at the moment. They have replaced the timing chain and fitted the new 'Enhancement' casing to prevent it happening again but are saying its still not sounding great which means likely damage to other parts of the engine due to the timing slip..camshaft/pistons etc?? They are supposed to be re-diagnosing it on Monday. I'm no mechanic so I'm taking thier word for it but it sounds as if it is getting more costly by the minute. My argument is shouldn't the 'Enhancement' have been carried out before I bought it off them in September 2010 when they serviced it before re-selling it as they were aware of the problem before selling it on as an approved used car? I think i have a good case for BMW to look at some kind of goodwill gesture as even £1200 Is £1200 too much for a car I bought off them 13 months ago!!