My X1 has died

[Mtpisgah]

2013 X1
120,000 miles
Cause of death: BMW using a cheap plastic timing belt tensioner instead of metal

My car went into limp mode so I checked the codes, cam shaft timing error. I talked to a mechanic buddy and he said that happens sometimes and recommended a BMW Indy shop. I took it in and they partially dismantled the engine and told me that the tensioner guide had broken down to the point that the cam shaft had cause scoring to the engine and there were shards of aluminum throughout the engine. Ruined.

The fix: replace the engine.
A used engine is about $3000. Labor is $2-3000. Car value, due to the high mileage, is about $6500.

Fixing it is not worth it. The pick and pull yard offered $640. There are a few charity groups who will give me a tax write off for it. Or I can try to sell it for whatever I can get, maybe $2000 if I am lucky.

There is a pending class action lawsuit for this problem but obviously no one knows when it will be settled and what the outcome will be.

If anyone is in the market for a roof rack, rear cargo rubber mat, tow hitch, or anything else that can be easily removed, let me know.

[0w40X1]

Is the plastic white or other color. Which X1 model? What kind of oil and oil change interval?

[Mtpisgah]

I do not know what color the plastic was, I did not look at it.

Oil change intervals were as prescribed by the engine management system. When it told me it was time, I had it changed but a trusted mechanic.

It is a 28 x drive.

[kiloTHREE]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

Oil change intervals were as prescribed by the engine management system. When it told me it was time, I had it changed by a trusted mechanic.

Yeah, that was expressively told to me by a few of a local car club of what not to do. Too long between changes.
Hate to say but that makes me feel better.
Very few and far between with those who stick to sub 5-6k oil changes.
Sorry.

[Mtpisgah]

The oil change frequency was not the problem, poor engineering on BMW’s part was the problem. Would increased oil changes have caught the problem earlier, possibly. But it would not have changed the inherent design flaw in the timing chain system.

[kiloTHREE]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

The oil change frequency was not the problem, poor engineering on BMW’s part was the problem. Would increased oil changes have caught the problem earlier, possibly. But it would not have changed the inherent design flaw in the timing chain system.

Again, no offense. I don't trust any timing chain or belt much over 90k.

[jarsdad1]

Where are you located?

[Mtpisgah]

Originally Posted by jarsdad1

Where are you located?

Greenville, SC.

[mreric]

it would be great to know which version of the timing guide failed. if you get a chance to post a photo it would be great!!!

[05X3lover]

Sorry about your loss, OP. Why would more frequent oil changes have prevented this, I don't get that comment?

[Gamb1t]

Long OCI and ASS lead to chain tension compromise which begins to beat up the plastic chain guides. And before long...shatter...Kaboom...wahhhhhhhh I want mommy.
Anyone that maintains their own bikes will know the importance of chain lube and abrupt chain shocks.

Fyi plastic chain guide is a normal implementation of modern cars.

[MNX135I]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

2013 X1
120,000 miles
Cause of death: BMW using a cheap plastic timing belt tensioner instead of metal

My car went into limp mode so I checked the codes, cam shaft timing error. I talked to a mechanic buddy and he said that happens sometimes and recommended a BMW Indy shop. I took it in and they partially dismantled the engine and told me that the tensioner guide had broken down to the point that the cam shaft had cause scoring to the engine and there were shards of aluminum throughout the engine. Ruined.

The fix: replace the engine.
A used engine is about $3000. Labor is $2-3000. Car value, due to the high mileage, is about $6500.

Fixing it is not worth it. The pick and pull yard offered $640. There are a few charity groups who will give me a tax write off for it. Or I can try to sell it for whatever I can get, maybe $2000 if I am lucky.

There is a pending class action lawsuit for this problem but obviously no one knows when it will be settled and what the outcome will be.

If anyone is in the market for a roof rack, rear cargo rubber mat, tow hitch, or anything else that can be easily removed, let me know.

Oil changes every 6k
Timing chain and pulley replacement every 90k

No matter what vehicle.

[themishmosh]

I would take it to a BMW dealer. Even though it is far out of warranty, the car is not that old and this kind of thing shouldn't happen. Ask if BMW will cover part of the cost out of good will and questionable design. I disagree with those who say a timing chain needs servicing. If so, why doesn't BMW offer any guidance on it. I also disagree that the guide is plastic in most modern cars. It wasn't on a Nissan VQ. As far as I'm concerned, it should last the life of the car.

[Gamb1t]

Toyota, lexus, mb, Audi, VW, Subaru, BMW......all use plastic guides. Shall I go on?

Engine kaput is pretty definitive to the life of a car don't you think?

[Mtpisgah]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

I would take it to a BMW dealer. Even though it is far out of warranty, the car is not that old and this kind of thing shouldn't happen. Ask if BMW will cover part of the cost out of good will and questionable design. I disagree with those who say a timing chain needs servicing. If so, why doesn't BMW offer any guidance on it. I also disagree that the guide is plastic in most modern cars. It wasn't on a Nissan VQ. As far as I'm concerned, it should last the life of the car.

This. I asked the service manager at the dealership where in the manual it mentioned anything about maintenance and replacement of the timing chain and guide. He had to admit that it did not. I have been driving for 33 years and have owned 12 cars. Seven of them have had more than 200,000 miles on the clock when I sold them. I have always replaced timing belts at 80k miles but have never bothered with timing chains or guides.

Cars that have timing belts can have plastic guides because they are going to get replaced at 80k miles. A car with a chain should have a metal guide so you do not have to screw with it, that is the whole purpose of the chain.

[05X3lover]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

This. I asked the service manager at the dealership where in the manual it mentioned anything about maintenance and replacement of the timing chain and guide. He had to admit that it did not. I have been driving for 33 years and have owned 12 cars. Seven of them have had more than 200,000 miles on the clock when I sold them. I have always replaced timing belts at 80k miles but have never bothered with timing chains or guides.

Cars that have timing belts can have plastic guides because they are going to get replaced at 80k miles. A car with a chain should have a metal guide so you do not have to screw with it, that is the whole purpose of the chain.

Another case where a manufacturer chooses to cheap out on a crucial part, saving (only) pennies on something that will have catastrophic results if it fails. I'm surprised by all this as well, I had always thought timing chains were not under the same limitations as belts. You can add this BMW decision to the same ones that gave us 'lifetime' tranny fluid, and 10K oil changes.

[Chicone]

My sympathies, It’s a shame. Seems like you should be able to get more than 120,000 miles out of a car if it’s reasonably maintained and loved and it sounds like yours was. That said, my last car died at about 124,000 and it wasn’t worth it to repair. I obtained photos of it being stripped later at the reclaimer that were painful. I had put a lot of mods and time and fun things into it. Best wishes to you.

[thimslugga]

I've heard about this issue but the information available is all over the place. I've heard certain years after a specific production date are not affected, that BMW extended warranty, etc.

https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/08/07...g-chain-issue/

https://bmwtechnician.com/2017/08/02...-bmw-bulletin/

http://www.rightfootdown.com/cars/au...nents-n26-too/

[mreric]

based on the TSB from BMW vehicles made before 03/2013 should be concerned ?

i would be concerned for the whole 2013 line up and under- sometime faulty parts can slipped although the changes are announced

[brunis]

If this is the N52B30 i am very interested in the transfer case, but obviously not an easy part to remove. But if you sell it to a chop shop, please let me know which one!

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

I do not know what color the plastic was, I did not look at it.

Oil change intervals were as prescribed by the engine management system. When it told me it was time, I had it changed but a trusted mechanic.

It is a 28 x drive.

Yep another N20 engine has bit the dust.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by 05X3lover

Another case where a manufacturer chooses to cheap out on a crucial part, saving (only) pennies on something that will have catastrophic results if it fails. I'm surprised by all this as well, I had always thought timing chains were not under the same limitations as belts. You can add this BMW decision to the same ones that gave us 'lifetime' tranny fluid, and 10K oil changes.

BMW has substantially revised the onboard oil change intervals. My G30 with the B46 has oil change intervals of no more than 6800 miles or 12 months whichever comes first.