BMW – Automotivesblog – The Latest Automotive News https://automotivesblog.com Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:34:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://automotivesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-favicon-32x32.png BMW – Automotivesblog – The Latest Automotive News https://automotivesblog.com 32 32 3 of The Best Cars Under £3,000 https://automotivesblog.com/3-of-the-best-cars-under-3000/ https://automotivesblog.com/3-of-the-best-cars-under-3000/#respond Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:31:37 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=4557 More]]> Introduction

In today’s financially fraught world, in which inflation seems to be constantly climbing and the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis is taking up more and more space in the newspapers, you might initially imagine that £3,000 wouldn’t go that far as a budget for a car purchase.

Also if that’s the way, you’re looking at it, our team here at Cars Under 3000 would likely have a strong differing opinion. The name in itself should also make known that this is a group of people who really understand the value this type of market can bring.

Definitely, there are some aspects you must be on the lookout for while shopping for a car that the price is less than £3,000, and make sure you take all of your senses into consideration like thoroughly checking behind the scenes of every vehicle you want to buy while giving every one of them a test drive. A clean service history would be top of one’s priority, perhaps even before an undemanding provider of the car.

Anyway, that’s enough preamble from us. What car models do we reckon you might be especially well-advised to take a look at when you’re interested in purchasing in this price category? Below, we’ve set out three examples, as spotted at the time of writing in our own generous stock of used cars in Raleigh and Essex.

BMW 3 Series

E46 BMW 3 Series Tuning

Anyone who has been reading motoring magazines and websites since… well, decades ago, will know a little something about how highly rated the Bavarian marque’s compact executive car range has long been. The very name ‘3 Series’ is synonymous with the best in driving sophistication in this category.

We bet you didn’t realize you could have a surprisingly recent example of the 3 Series for less than £3,000, though. Just recently, a 2000 E46 325Ci Coupe SE entered our stock; with its gold paint finish and cleanliness inside and out, it was a beautiful motor that had clearly been well looked after by its one previous owner.

As for the price, it was that low to help encourage a quick trade clearance sale – and with there not being many examples of that particular model left on UK roads, we knew the eventual buyer would be getting quite the bargain. It’s worth regularly checking our used vehicle listings online to discover the latest attractive deals, as they don’t tend to last for long.

Ford Focus

Ford Focus 2008

One of the good things about the original version of Ford’s venerable hatchback, having debuted way back in 1998 (when it replaced the also-long-lived Ford Escort), is that when you fast-forward to 2022, many Focuses of various vintages are within reach on a £3,000 budget. And let’s not forget how well-rated the Focus has been over the years, especially with regard to the driving experience.

That’s certainly a strength of the easily overlooked coupe-cabriolet version of the car, too. And when we were browsing our stock for the purposes of putting together this article, our eye was caught by the availability of a black 2.0-litre CC-3 model for just £2,495.

For that, the buyer could look forward to such perks as air conditioning, auto headlights, electric windows, and steering wheel controls – not to mention a nice, long MOT. There were also just 115,000 miles on this 2009 car, so it’s fair to say that even when you’re buying at this price point, you can find attractive vehicles with plenty of life left in them yet.

Land Rover Freelander

Land Rover Freelander Under 3000 Pounds

The ‘SUV crossover’ craze of recent years perhaps owes a lot to the acclaim and success accorded to pioneers of the genre such as the Land Rover Freelander, which entered production in 1997 and continued to roll off new-dealer forecourts into 2015.

As with the Focus, such a long production run gives you a lot of options for interesting models if you fancy a Freelander but are on a tight budget. One such car we discovered in our stock was a 2005 1.8-litre three-door Adventurer in blue. It did have a high mileage – 158,000, to be exact – but it was also a hard-to-come-by model with a lengthy MOT, on sale for a mere £1,995.

Reflecting on the first-generation 1997-2006 Freelander years later, What Car? described it as “one of the first 4x4s that was, more or less, as light and easy to drive as a conventional family car”. The magazine added that while the car was “now less refined to drive than a more modern SUV… [it’s] still quite good.”

Conclusion

So, there you go – three potentially very relevant cars that could be within your reach on a £3,000 budget. If we’ve piqued your interest, why not check out our current range of vehicles being advertised on our site today, or get in touch directly for further advice and information on the other ways we could serve you?

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BMW N54 Engine Problems: Turbo Failure, Water Pump, Fuel Injectors, Charge Pipe [ Causes / How to Fix! ] https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n54-engine-problems-causes-how-to-fix/ https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n54-engine-problems-causes-how-to-fix/#respond Tue, 20 Jul 2021 20:00:24 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=4048 More]]> The N54 may rightly be considered the best engine ever made by BMW, since it is a twin-turbo, straight 6 engine that is a revision of BMW’s standard line. The N54 can be considered BMW’s first ever turbocharged petrol engine, mass produced and felt guilty that it stunned all the fans by its launch. The engine was a very high-quality piece of engineering art. It has come with a forged crank and connecting rods from the factory (which is rather rare for most sports cars that compete in this price range), which means, the BMW N54 engine could take a lot more boost when modifying the car and finally hitting higher horsepower numbers, before you rebuild the engine with stronger parts. The ten years (from 2006 to 2016) were spent on producing the N54 engine by BMW.

Introduction

BMW N54 Engine Problems Introduction
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Why?

 Cars with the N54 could easily reach well into the 600 horsepower without having to rebuild the engine with stronger internals. In the BMW’s N54 engine, often high-power numbers were achieved by upgrading the turbos or switching to a single turbo setup, which was good for higher power but bought very high turbo lag with it. Even when stock the N54 was very robust and provided the driver with lots of torque on demand as would be expected from a twin-turbo straight-six engine. The N54 was widely regarded as the ‘German 2JZ’. The 2JZ-GE was a straight-six engine developed by Toyota and used in many of their cars, including the famous and iconic Supra, the 2JZ was naturally aspirated but the 2JZ-GTE was its turbocharged brother, which had its turbos arranged in a twin-turbocharger setup sitting in a sequential configuration to eliminate turbo lag, which Is also similar to the N54.

The N54 is a very robust engine, although it has its fair share of problems like many of BMW offerings due to inferior parts and/or poor design of many components. This article will talk all about the various issues that are faced by N54 owners.

High-Pressure Fuel Pump

BMW N54 Engine Problems High Pressure Fuel Pump
BMW N54 Engine Problems – High Pressure Fuel Pump

The faulty high-pressure fuel pump is regarded as the most common of the N54’s problems: The N54 utilizes a pump that is completely unlike those that typically are found in the engine compartment. The fuel supply in this engine is completely delivered by a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) which is very unusual compared to a low pressure fuel pump (LPFP). The engine primes using the low pressure pump inside the tank to deliver the fuel at low pressure to the engine to start it up, as a result, it is heard when the ignition key is turned into the ON position. Once the engine has been started, the HPFP is driven by the camshaft, which in turn supplies the fuel rails with high-pressure fuel for combustion. The HPFP was very much new to cars of the era which could explain why they faced so many issues especially in its early years, cars that have direct injection utilize HPFPS as the regular fuel pumps pressure is too low for direct injection applications. This technology was mostly new to petrol engines, direct injection with HPFPS has been in use for diesel engines and high-performance aircraft engines for quite some time now.

Symptoms of HPFP failure

BMW N54 Engine Problems HPFP failure
BMW N54 Engine Problems – HPFP Failure

-very long crank time

Your car will take an abnormal amount of time while cranking before the engine finally roars to life.

-check engine light

The gauge cluster will have a half symbol of a check engine light, also known as ½ check engine light. The service engine soon light will also be illuminated.

-Random hiccups/shutoffs while driving

The car will exhibit weird behavior while driving and can even completely shut off while driving, which is very dangerous, especially on the highway. HPFP failure can also cause the car to bypass the ECU to bypass the HPFP and run the car on the LPFP, which in turn also turns the turbos off and puts the car into a limp/safety mode until you can safely reach your destination or get help.

The only fix is to replace the pump, which can cost upwards of $1k. However, BMW has put in place an extended warranty on the Fuel pumps which lasts for 10 years or 120k miles, this warranty was put into place after BMW was sued multiple times by many frustrated owners after they had to replace the pump 3-4 times, although this warranty is only applicable to North American cars. Many owners outside of North America demanded that they be refunded the cost of the repairs.

Turbocharger Failure/Wastegate Rattle

BMW N54 Engine Problems Turbocharger Failure
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Turbocharger Failure

On the N54 it is very common for the turbocharges to fail due to wastegate rattle. This happens from wear, tear, and above-average use of the car. This also happens when the car has been tuned to run a higher boost pressure than factory levels, which causes excessive wear and tear on the wastegate actuator and rods, the wastegate becomes loose, and allows for major boost and vacuum leaks. The boost leaks result in power loss and/or sluggish acceleration, in many cases, the ECU attempts to compensate for the loss of boost pressure and in turn, the turbos can overheat, which causes the Turbos themselves to fail. The fix for this is to replace the turbos which can cost $600 to replace which is excluding labor costs. Another option is to rebuild the existing turbos or buy a remanufactured/rebuilt unit, but the longevity of said units can be questionable.

Leaking Fuel Injectors

BMW N54 Engine Problems Fuel Injectors Failure
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Fuel Injectors Failure

Another common issue on the N54 is the fuel injectors, they are known to fail due to heavy usage and/or wear and tear as the engine ages. The injectors being leaking due to O-ring gasket failure, where the injector meets the fuel rail, the O-ring is made of rubber-like any gasket would be, the rubber slowly deteriorates over time and its sealing properties are lost, which causes the injector to leak. Cracks in the injector body itself could also be a cause of leakage. Since the engine uses direct-injection technology, it is very important for the injectors to be in good condition.

Symptoms of Injector failure

-Increased Fuel Consumption, you will see a noticeable decline in fuel economy.

-Rough Idle and/or misfires, this is caused due to the cylinders receiving too much fuel (running rich) or receiving little to no fuel (lean).

-The engine is very difficult to start after reaching operating temperatures

-Thinning of Oil, caused by fuel dilating the oil, if this is ignored it can lead to a spun rod bearing, which will seize the engine

-Cylinder flooding, the leaking injectors flood the cylinders with fuel, causing partial hydro lock which will disable the engine until the fuel is removed by cranking the engine with the spark plugs and injectors out. In more serious cases, the engine can be fully hydro-locked due to excess flooding of the cylinders.

-Excess fuel odors, you will begin to smell fuel more prominently when around or in the car.

This issue can be prevented from worsening if taken care of earlier on. If neglected this problem would be uneconomical to fix as it worsens and the car could be totaled.  The fix for this would be to replace the leaky injector to the tune of $250, however, it is recommended that all the injectors be replaced together to avoid future issues, which would bring the total to $1,500 excluding labor costs. If you must replace the faulty injectors with used ones, be sure to pressure and spray test them at a local repair shop before you buy them as they will save you a lot of time and hassle if the used units end up being faulty too.

Boost Pipe/Chargepipe Failure

Boost pipe Chargepipe failure BMW N54 Engine
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Boost Pipe / Chargepipe Failure

Since the N54 is turbocharged, it has charge pipes that carry boost pressure from the turbochargers to the intercooler and then out to the engine inlet, where a Blowoff valve is also installed depending on what car it is. BMW chose to install plastic charge pipes which over time, became brittle and cracked, allowing most of the boost pressure to escape into the atmosphere. Keep in mind, if your car has a tune to run more boost, it is very likely your charge pipe will fail earlier

Symptoms of Chargepipe Failure

-Check engine light illuminated

-Sluggish acceleration

-Limp mode enabled, ECU will restrict the power

The fix for this is to replace the charge pipe with a new unit, however, the replacement unit from BMW is made of the same material and will crack again after 40-50k miles. The permanent solution is to install an aftermarket pipe that is made of metal, which won’t crack and will be very sturdy.

Water Pump Failure

BMW N54 Engine Problems Water Pump failure
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Water Pump Failure

Yet again, a water pump. The water pump on the N54, similar to the one found on the E70 BMW X5, is similarly prone to failure, a poor design coupled with subpar materials causes the pump to fail earlier than comparable examples.

Symptoms of Water Pump Failure

-Overheating engine, abnormal operating temperatures

-Fan running at a higher speed and remaining on even after shutting off the engine

-Illumination of the check engine light, coupled with limp mode which will limit the power available

In order to fix this issue, the water pump has to be replaced with OEM BMW parts, there are no reliable aftermarket pumps that could replace the OEM water pump. The pump costs $200 and another $200 in labor as the pump is very hard to get to as it’s buried deep within the engine bay, it is smarter to get an OEM pump rather than have an aftermarket pump fail faster and having to pay double in labor costs.

Carbon Build-up

BMW N54 Engine Problems Carbon Build up
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Carbon Build-up

N54 is a direct injection engine. This means that the fuel is directly injected at high pressure into the combining chamber of the engine. Direct injection gives you better control over the flow of fuel; it lets you measure it more precisely, hence is very useful in fuel efficiency and/or even engine tuning for more power. However, this leads to carbon build up in the ports and valves of the engine as, this is because, unlike the traditional engines, the fuel doesn’t flow towards the back of the valves and ports, meaning that they do not get cleaned up by the fuel, leaving behind large amounts of carbon deposits. This isn’t BMW’s fault; all direct injection engines suffer from the same issue.

Symptoms of Carbon Buildup

  • Poor fuel economy
  • Loss of power
  • Misfires, rough idle

The fix for this issue would be to treat the engine with walnut blasting, this involves blasting walnut shells at high pressure into the valves, which helps to completely wipe out the deposited carbon. Once this has been done, you will feel the difference, improved power, throttle response, and better fuel economy. The engine will feel very smooth once again.  This issue can be prevented so that you don’t have to perform walnut blasting every 40k miles, that would be to install an oil catch can. The name pretty much explains what it does, the catch can prevent excessive buildup of oil and carbon by catching it before it enters the cylinders, the catch can be taken out and cleaned to clear out the deposits from the can. It doesn’t cost much and prevents the hassles caused by carbon buildup.

Despite all these pitfalls of the N54, it still is regarded as one of the most reliable engines produced by BMW, and its popularity has been accelerated by its tuning capabilities and ability to handle high amounts of power. Due to its popularity, cars with the N54 like the 135i, 335i, and 535i retain their values well despite other problems in BMWs that are not related to their drivetrains.

Conclusion

BMW N54 Engine Problems Causes Fix Conclusion
BMW N54 Engine Problems – Causes Fix – Conclusion

Even though it is a relatively reliable engine, it is a German engine with a lot of technology packed into it, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of money in maintaining the engine, and also having emergency funds if the engine develops unforeseen faults because after all, it is a modern German car.

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BMW N43 Engine Problems – Timing Chain Issue, NOX Sensor Error, Fuel Injectors https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n43-engine-problems-timing-chain-issue-nox-sensor-error-fuel-injectors/ https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n43-engine-problems-timing-chain-issue-nox-sensor-error-fuel-injectors/#respond Tue, 29 Jun 2021 22:23:38 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=3994 More]]> Do you have a BMW with an N43 engine and are experiencing some issues with it? Are you searching for the reasons, signs, and remedies for these engine mistakes? If yes, then you have landed in the right place since we have got you covered!

We all sometimes face problems with the cars we love or drive out of necessity, but sometimes it’s frustrating because we don’t know how to solve the problems, especially if they are on the engine side and you need to take exemplary care. In this article, I will cover all the information related to the common problems, symptoms, and solutions to fix the issues with the BMW N43 engine. It is a very powerful engine, but not very reliable, so good luck reading this important article.

Introduction

BMW N43 Engine

BMW N43 features a 2.0 liter, four-stroke, straight four-cylinder engine. This engine was sold as a naturally aspirated petrol engine from 2007 to 2011. BMW N46 and BMW N45 were precursors of these engines, and BMW N13 is the successor. N43 was not sold in some countries with increased consumption of high-sulfur fuel. So, the productions of its precursors co-existed. Characteristics of the N43B20 engine include an aluminum made robust cylindrical block, four valves in each cylinder, and an aluminium head equipped with a dual overhead camshaft.

Variants of BMW N43 Engines

There were four variants of this engine:

  1. N43B16 Engine – 1599 cc – 121 bhp (power) / 160 Nm ( found on the 2007-2009 BMW 1 Series E87 116i / 2008 BMW 3 Series E90 316i )
  2. N43B20K0 Engine – 121 bhp (power) at 6,000 rpm and 136.5 ft-lb (torque) at 3,000 rpm
  3. N43B20U0 Engine – 148 bhp (power) at 6,000 rpm and 140.2 ft-lb (torque) at 4,250 rpm
  4. N43B20O0 Engine – 168 bhp (power) at 6,700 rpm and 155.0 ft-lb (torque) at 4,250 rpm

BMW Models Affected

BMW N43 Engines BMW Models Affected
  1. 2007-2009 BMW 1 Series E87 116i
  2. 2008 BMW 3 Series E90 316i
  3. 2007-2011 BMW 1 Series E81/E87 116i
  4. 2007-2011 BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 318i
  5. 2008-2011 BMW 1 Series E81/E87/E88 118i
  6. 2007-2011 BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 120i
  7. 2007-2011 BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 320i
  8. 2007-2009 BMW 5 Series E60/E61 520i

No doubt that the BMW N43 engine has outstanding power and torque ratings, but it still has some considerable problems. These engine problems, if not treated and resolved properly, may lead to serious engine issues like engine failure, blowing off the engine, etc.

BMW N43 Engine Issues

BMW N43 Engine Issues

The three paramount BMW N43 problems related to its engine are as follows:

  1. Timing Chain Issue
  2. NOx Sensor Error
  3. Fuel Injectors Problems

Let’s dig into the details of BMW N43 engine problems:

1. Timing Chain Issue

BMW N32 Engine Timing Chain Issue Replacement

Unluckily, the BMW N43 engine can undergo a stretched timing chain problem. Consequently, this issue can wholly destroy and damage your car engine. It may also prevent the car brakes from working appropriately. We recommend a timing chain replacement done to your car to avoid this big problem.

When the BMW N43 timing chain expands, the plastic chain becomes fractured and ultimately drops into the oil pan of the car engine. This shattered plastic chain then gets drawn into the engine oil, and this process leads to the lack of adequate oil pressure. Hence, BMW N43’s low oil pressure either ruins the car engine or clutches the vacuum pump (this vacuum pump provides the braking servo with the vacuity required for a high-performance braking system).

This fault of the BMW N43 engine is comparatively a well-documented one that comes with a repair campaign as well. This repair campaign tests the timing chain for stretching, but it does not guarantee to prevent your vehicle from future failures regarding the timing chain.

What happens during the timing chain snap?

BMW N43 Engine Problems Timing Chain Snap

The inlet vents and emission valves strike with the pistons during the BMW N43 timing chain crackle. It results in enormous damage to the N43 engine. At the point of collision with the pistons, the timing chain makes all 16 valves bend. It also causes the rocker arms to shatter, makes the camshaft split, and twists the camshaft housing.

The reason behind the timing chain issue

The reason behind the timing chain issue - BMW N43 Engine Timing chain problems

The timing chain problem is not because of any design-based issues or any mechanical issues with the car engine. These issues are more relatable with long-lasting services such as engine oil changes after every 20,000 miles, BMW N43 low oil pressure, timing chain tensioner, no replacement of timing chain, etc.

These issues can occur if your vehicle has neglected any service or gone late on a service. It may also happen if you take your N43 to a non-specialist garage. The workers there could use an improper and unfitting oil grade during the service, causing catastrophic consequences.

Symptoms

BMW N43 Engine Problems Symptoms
  1. Rough idling of your car – the car vibrates or shakes more than the normal routine (it may also happen due to several other vehicle inappropriateness reasons).
  2. Unusual noises – weird noises may come out of your vehicle, particularly during rough idling (may also occur when your car looks normal).
  3. Engine misfires – the timing chain links the camshaft to the crankshaft, so it becomes snapped due to enough stress and leads to engine misfires.
  4. Engine failures – it is most likely to happen that your timing chain gets broken when the car engine does not get started (due to damaged pistons or belts).
  5. Metal shavings – it often gives off metal shavings in the engine oil when the timing chain gets snapped.
  6. Check engine light – this light gets ON due to several reasons, and a snapped timing chain could be one of these reasons.

Rebuilding of BMW N43 Engine

BMW N43 Problems Rebuilding of BMW N43 Engine

You might have to rebuild the car engine as it often gets damaged by the timing chain problems. Repairing the car engine is severe, extensive, and intensive labor as the workers have to rebuild it with genuine BMW components. The average cost to rebuild and repair a BMW N43 car engine ranges from $700 to $850.

2. NOx Sensor Error

BMW N43 Engine Problems NOx Sensor Error

In 2007, when BMW introduced its N43 and N53 engine series, this well-known brand started incorporating more sophisticated and erudite technology into these models. Some of these latest technologies and developments for BMW include an engine management computer (DME), a variable valve timing technology, and the famous NOx sensors.

What does the NOx sensor do in the BMW N43?

What does the NOx sensor do in BMW

This powerful sensor is present in the exhaust emission system right before the catalytic converter. As the name suggests, this sensor helps measure the level of NOx (Nitrogen Oxides). Moreover, it sends the recorded (measured) data to the engine management computer. Consequently, it makes adjustments in the valve timing and fuel mixture. On the other hand, typical combustion engines lacking this development have the same fuel mixture irrespective of the vehicle conditions. So, it eventually makes them conceded, less effective, and less capable than they could be.

These innovations not only make the N43 and N53 engine series systems produce more power, but they also assist in the burning of less fuel than the withdrawing units. However, these NOx sensors are more likely to get attracted to failures and errors.

Symptoms of BMW N43 NOx sensor error

Symptoms of BMW N43 NOx sensor error

Here are the chief symptoms of NOx senor failure for BMW N43 engines:

  1. Increased fuel consumption – If the sensor fails and shows an error, it cannot receive information from the engine management system. Resultantly, the engine cannot distinguish between the air-to-fuel ratio and fuel mixture. So, it causes the car engine to consider a worst-case scenario and results in the increased consumption of fuel. It happens to guarantee maximum power in miserable conditions.
  2. Unstable idling – The failure of NOx sensors can lead the BMW N43 to acquire an unstable engine speed, especially at turnovers.
  3. Engine warning lights – One of the reasons behind the active check engine light (or engine warning light) is a failed NOx sensor, so you should check out for it immediately.

Solution for BMW N43 NOx sensor error

BMW N43 NOx sensor error fix

There are two possible and effortless solutions for NOx sensor errors. These are as follows:

  1. Physical replacement of these sensors.
  2. Deleting and clearing the long-term adaptations (make new adaptations instead).

Different errors have different possible solutions, but these two can work for most NOx sensor errors.

3. Fuel Injectors – Problems

BMW N43 Engine Fuel Injectors Problems

Normally, more and more engine-based problems occur as the weather gets colder. It happens because of the arousal of the cold car engine performance. This thing also leads to other gigantic problems, as in BMW N43, it leads to fuel injectors issues.

To your surprise, a failed fuel injector can lead to a wide range of complications, problems, and issues. Furthermore, these problems could lead to catastrophic engine failures if you do not handle them properly.

What do BMW N43 fuel injectors do?

What do BMW N43 fuel injectors do

The fuel injector acts as a mechanical pathway between the BMW N43 car engine and its fuel. They work together to power the N43 engine. The BMW N43 will stop and not run without sufficient fuel. So, the car engine loses power during this process, and makes your vehicle stagnant one.

The leaking fuel injector can cause enormous internal damage. If that happens, the car will have difficulty during ignition. Moreover, the oil will get thinner, and there will be odors. The worst that can result if the internal leakage of the fuel injector continues is engine failure. Therefore, we should deal with it nicely. No one wants to put the hood under fire, and for this reason, we highly advise you to check for the maintenance of the fuel injector properly.

Symptoms of faulty fuel injector

Symptoms of Faulty Fuel Injector BMW N43 Engine
  1. Stuttered start along with the hiccup sounds – When you turn the keys, the engine will produce a hiccup sound instead of starting.
  2. Smoke rising from your car – The smoke usually will arise from the tailpipe. The gas will be gray.
  3. Foul odor – This odor is most prevalent during ignition.
  4. The gas will be guzzled quicker than normal – One should check the alarming rate as soon as possible since it could be a sign.  
  5. Rough drive – The drive would not remain that smooth and perfect.
  6. Idling issues – The engine would not operate when reached the peak temperature.  
  7. The engine knocks – It will result in uneven burning of fuel. It will burn the fuel instantly all at once.

Solution for fuel injector issues

Solution for fuel injector issues BMW

The only solution is the replacement of the fuel injector. It will enable you to have a smooth drive, and the fuel economy and efficiency will get enhanced. On replacing, the ignition will get smooth and perfect, and the odor will be non-existent.

Conclusion

BMW N43 Engine Problems Conclusion

BMW N43 is an exceptional car engine, but there are some problems that one has to face. If you are considering purchasing it, prepare yourself for facing these issues. Also, look up for solutions to deal with them. But… with proper maintenance, you will be able to enjoy the performance of this engine for a very long time.

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2022 BMW X3 / X4 Facelift and More Torque for M and M Competition Versions https://automotivesblog.com/2022-bmw-x3-x4-facelift-and-more-torque-for-m-and-m-competition-versions/ https://automotivesblog.com/2022-bmw-x3-x4-facelift-and-more-torque-for-m-and-m-competition-versions/#respond Sun, 13 Jun 2021 15:37:56 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=3942 More]]> BMW has finally launched the facelift version for the BMW X3, respectively the X4 version and their M versions including the Competition package. Also, The M and M Competition versions now have more torque and horsepower according to the official manual.

The BMW X3 and X4 facelift have officially debuted with design improvements and more power for the M and M Competition performance versions. The launch of the new models is scheduled for August.

2021 BMW X4 Facelift 2
2022 BMW X4 Facelift


After the prototypes are seen in tests, covered by camouflage, the new BMW X3 and X4 facelift have now officially debuted.

Minor Design Changes


Design improvements include narrower headlights and taillights, a bigger front grille, and slightly restyled spoilers. The M Sport exterior package gives the 2 SUVs an additional sportiness, and therefore the X3 M and X4 M versions also received new bumpers, with larger air intakes.

2021 BMW X4 M Facelift 1
2022 BMW X4 M Facelift

Inside, the middle console has been appropriated from the 4 Series. Both come standard with a 10.25-inch center display, and therefore the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system (with 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia system) is optional.


The new BMW X3 M and X4 M facelift accompany Merino leather-upholstered sports seats, illuminated M logos, and M sports wheel.

2021 BMW X3 M Facelift Interior 4
2022 BMW X4 M Interior – Leather Seats

The engine range includes three diesel and three petrol engines. All four and six-cylinder units now are available the corporate of a 48V micro-hybrid system.


The power of the aggregates varies between 184 and 360 horsepower. The BMW X3 can still be ordered within the plug-in hybrid version with an electrical range of up to 50 kilometers.

All engine versions accompany an eight-speed Steptronic automatic drive. X3 M40i, X3 M40d, and every one X4 model are equipped with the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.


More Power for M Versions and M Competition

2021 BMW X3 M Facelift 1
2022 BMW X3 M Facelift

In terms of performance versions X3 M and X4 M, the 3.0-liter engine with which they’re equipped still develops 480 horsepower, or 510 if we mention the M Competition version. The torque of both versions increased, however, by 20 and 50 Nm, respectively. Consequently, the X3 M Competition has 650 Nm.

This allows an improvement of 0.3 seconds for the 0-100 km / h half. Top speed remains limited to 250 km / h, or 285 km / h if the optional M Driver package is checked.
As I said, the new BMW X3 and X4 facelift are going to be launched on the market in August this year.

2022 BMW X3 Facelift – Photo Gallery & Video

2022 BMW X4 Facelift – Photo Gallery & Video

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How to Change The Brake Pads on The E46 BMW 3 Series (1998-2006) https://automotivesblog.com/how-to-change-the-brake-pads-on-the-e46-bmw-3-series-1998-2006/ https://automotivesblog.com/how-to-change-the-brake-pads-on-the-e46-bmw-3-series-1998-2006/#respond Sun, 18 Apr 2021 10:59:18 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=3415 More]]> In order to replace the brake pads on your E46 BMW 3 Series, you should follow these steps.

Remove the Tire

Removing the tire E46 BMW 3 Series

The tire of the E46 BMW 3 Series should be taken off after you have slightly unscrewed the nuts on the wheels with a wheel spanner. Next, jack up one side of your E46 using a car jack so that your front wheel is free from the ground. Later, continue to screw the nuts further until they are completely loose. Remove the wheel from the hub and lay it aside.

Remove the Calipers of The Disc

Removing the calipers of the disc E46 BMW 3 Series

Unclip the front of the caliper which is connected with the brake pads using a screwdriver. Afterward, take off the two rubber dust caps at the back of the calipers to free the sliding bolts. Now, with a 7mm Allen key remove the two sliding bolts on the back of the caliper and wiggle it out of the assembly. This will enable you to take off the caliper from the brake disc and now you have access to the brake pads.

Replace the Brake Pads

Replacing the brake pads E46 BMW 3 Series

Uninstall the old pads from the caliper. It is a good time now to remove your brake fluid reservoir cap, as the fluid may go back into the reservoir as we push in the piston. Now, using any clamp, push the piston gently back inside so that considerable space for the new brake pads is made. Grease the sides of the piston so it can slide with ease. Now, place grease on the edges and back sides of your brake pads for them to slide with ease and place them in their corresponding positions on the caliper. Slide the caliper back onto the disc, it might need some light taps with a hammer to get back in place with the new pads. Make sure the pads and calipers are back in their place.

Now it’s time to grease the sliding bolts of the caliper and screw them back in inside the socket and thread. Now put back the dust cover over the screws and the clip on the front side of the caliper with a screwdriver and you’re all done here.

Put Your Wheels Back On

wheels

Now slide back your wheels onto the wheel hub and screw the nuts in a star configuration lightly with a wheel spanner. Now drop your vehicle back on the ground smoothly by lowering the car jack and now fully tighten the lug nuts in their place.

Repeat the Process on the Other Wheel

Repeat

Repeat the same process on the other wheel of the car.

Check For Any Brake Fluid Run Over

Check for any brake fluid run over E46 BMW 3 Series

After replacing both pads, check if your brake fluid has run over the maximum level indicated on the brake fluid reservoir. If the level is exceeding the maximum indicated level, draw out some of the fluid using a syringe or something similar. Shut back the cap of the brake fluid reservoir after checking and you’re now done with replacing your E46’s brake pads.

Conclusion

Conclusion

I can say that it’s a very simple process and if you follow all the steps from above, you will successfully change the brake pads of your E46 BMW 3 Series without any stress. Thanks for reading our article and please stay tuned on Automotivesblog.com for more useful articles that will save you money and time.

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BMW X5 Overheating Problems, EXPLAINED! [ How to Fix! ] https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-x5-overheating-problems-explained-how-to-fix/ https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-x5-overheating-problems-explained-how-to-fix/#respond Thu, 15 Apr 2021 20:36:29 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=3369 More]]> BMW X5 has overheating problems in time ( like other cars, too) – Discover the issues and all the steps on how to fix them. Check out this useful article below.

Affected BMW X5 Models:

  • E53 BMW X5 (1998-2007)
  • E70 BMW X5 (2007-2014)
  • F15 BMW X5 (2014-2018)
  • G05 BMW X5 (2018-Present)
1998 2007 E53 BMW X5 Engine Overheating Problems 5

The BMW X5 is a mid-size SUV produced by BMW since 1998, with the first generation codenamed E53. Please read the entire article about this great SUV and its engine overheating problem, as well as the solutions to fix or prevent this. The X5 was always referred to as an SAV by BMW, which stands for Sports Activity Vehicle; however, the rest of the market called it an SUV, since there were no different dimensions from other SUV competitors like Audi Q7, or Mercedes ML. The X5 has been the benchmark of SUVs in the luxury SUV segment since its launch.

The BMW X5 is incredibly reliable with few mechanical failures, one of which is the overheating of the engine which can be fixed or prevented, so there is no need to worry… The car should not be driven in the event of the engine overheating, an immediate call to the service for a fast fix is required… this is to avoid possible damage to the engine.

In 2007, the X5’s second generation was publicly introduced under the E70 model, offering the latest tech features not found in competitors’ cars, along with an optional 3rd row that increased seating capacity to seven and a high-performance variant came out as a BMW X5 M, which had a twin-turbo V8 that was producing 555hp and 500lb/ft.

However, the launch of the E70 also brought along with it a problem that every E70 X5 owner dreaded, which was the cooling system failure. The cooling system was notorious for its premature failure, which caused the engine to overheat in many instances. The majority of cooling failures were in the 2007 BMW X5, which was the first year of the E70 model; later model years experienced the issue as well but in lower numbers.

Main Reasons for Engine Overheating

BMW X5 Engine Overheats

An engine in a car may get too hot because of many reasons, for instance, less coolant, damaged radiators or radiator fans, or leaking coolant hoses. However, in the E70 BMW X5, the overheating problem is a result of the poor efficiency of the cooling system that is brought about by the ineffectiveness of the water pump as well as the thermostat. In the E70 BMW X5, the water pump is electric and the thermostat is integrated into one unit so if either component fails, the entire unit has to be replaced.

When the water pump fails, the car begins to overheat and the fans turn on at full speed to cool down the car, alongside that, the car is automatically put into a limp mode along with a message on the infotainment system which states ‘engine temperature too high drive moderately’, in which power is severely reduced to prevent further damage to the engine, many times, the temperature sensors can also malfunction and report a higher temperature, which causes the car to exhibit the same behavior, the sensors, however, are a cheaper fix than the pump.

Problems Explained

BMW X5 Engine Overheating Problems Explained

The E70 BMW X5, unlike many other cars of its time, relied on an electric water pump that was made mostly of a plastic material that easily degraded over time, causing the engine overheating issue, rather than a mechanical water pump that many other cars at the time used. Initially, the pump proved to be more efficient than the traditional, mechanical pump, which is why it was very well received.

However, as time passed and the pump degraded, the shortcomings of the electric pump became quickly known. Early failures, untimely failures, and general undependability were the characteristics that were associated with the cooling systems of not only the X5 but many other cars in the BMW line-up, as they utilized the same pump. This problem plagued the vast majority of the BMW line-up in the mid to late 2000s, so, this problem caused the BMW X5 engine to overheat.

How to Avoid This Problem

BMW X5 Engine Overheating Problems How to Avoid It

Generally speaking, preventative maintenance such as coolant flushes, and regular maintenance such as replacing various gaskets and seals along with rubber hoses that can generally degrade with time and age, would help prevent the engine overheating problem, but in this case, nothing much can be done due to the fact the pump itself has a critical design flaw, which means that you wouldn’t be able to prevent its imminent failure.

The most you could probably do is watch for when your car’s fans begin to ramp up or you see the temperatures gradually rise out of the regular values, to prevent yourself from being stranded, later on, have the car towed to your mechanic and have it inspected, if the water pump is dying, it will need a replacement promptly to prevent you from having to deal with a major breakdown on the side of the road, which can be very inconvenient and dangerous too.

How to Fix This Problem

BMW X5 G05 Autoblog Uruguay Precios 0km 201900000

The problem is rectified by a very straightforward solution, which is to replace the electric water pump with an OEM or OE replacement. Using aftermarket parts is generally not recommended because they might not have many required certifications, only in a few instances, some aftermarket parts perform better than the manufacturer’s OE parts.

You can choose to fix the BMW X5’s engine overheating issues yourself if you have the skills to do so or have a certified mechanic with expertise do it for you. Keep in mind that you can damage your engine if you leave the problem ignored for long.

How Expensive is It to Repair?

B58 Engine BMW Overheating Engine Problem Expensive Repair

BMW X5 engine overheating repair costs… how much? – The repair costs can be pretty hefty since the BMW X5 is a luxury German SUV with heaps of complicated bits, along with very tight spaces around the cooling system and engine area. if you get the repair done from a dealership outside of warranty, the costs of the repair can exceed upwards of $1000. The pump itself varies from $300-$500 depending on whether you have four-zone climate control or not.

However, if you perform the repair by yourselves, you will have to only pay for the parts and will save you more than $600, which would be the price for labor alone. Being smart and trying to save in particular areas such as labor and getting the best-priced parts can also significantly reduce the overall costs.

Is There a Recall About This Issue?

BMW X5 on FIRE

Yes, BMW has issued multiple recalls over the same overheating issues, one in 2011 and another in 2018 because the pumps caused the circuit board within the pumps to overheat and become a fire hazard since the plastic build of the pump itself was very fire-prone and could easily catch fire. Two recalls were performed because BMW was not able to fix all the cars in the first recall as more cases of pump failure and small fires slowly spread, eventually destroying the whole car and burning it down. In multiple instances, BMW cars have caught fire, such as the 3 series, 5 series, X5 and X6.

The resolution given in the second recall by BMW is the substitution of the pump for an updated design with a more efficient inner design and material but it is still made of plastic.

Is the BMW X5 a Reliable Car?

BMW X5 Reliable Car

The BMW X5, like other German luxury SUVs, requires meticulous care, and one should follow its manufacturers’ requirements to keep the car running the way that it is designed to, except that German car manufacturers build their cars with highly intricate engineering and, in an effort to reach the top, often they overlook the small parts of the cars.

In the X5’s case, the car, in general, is very reliable, with no major faults other than the water pump and a few other electric gremlins. However, as these cars age, they heavily depreciate to the point where most of them sell for 70% off their MSRP just a few years later down the road, which prompts many people on the used car market to purchase one, without realizing that they will have to spend a lot more money in maintaining the car.

This is why most of these cars begin to fall apart and most of their owners begin to neglect the car to the point where it can’t even drive safely without endangering the occupant’s lives. This isn’t the case with the X5 itself, it happens to most luxury cars after they depreciate within a few years, unless they are maintained by their owners.

A great example is the BMW X5’s tires, they are not the size that a regular SUV would have, especially the rear tires, they are very wide, and changing all 4 tires on an X5 easily costs upwards of $1000.

Conclusion

BMW X5 Engine Overheating Problems Conclusion

While the BMW X5 is not a bad vehicle, nor is it unreliable, it does require a lot of maintenance for it to perform at its best, like most other luxury cars of its era. If you are looking for a used one, make sure you buy one that has had its maintenance done on time and all of its gremlins taken care of because otherwise, the car will be a nightmare to The best choice would be to buy a car from a well-established dealer who would give you an opportunity to have a pre-purchase inspection and offer at least 6 months warranty.

This guarantees that you are delivered an excellent car that has a good history and has been well maintained; all these are some of the major elements of ownership of a stress-free car.

E53 BMW X5 (1998-2007) – Photo Gallery

E70 BMW X5 (2007-2014) – Photo Gallery

F15 BMW X5 (2014-2018) – Photo Gallery

G05 BMW X5 (2018-Present) – Photo Gallery

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BMW Engine Overheating Problems – E90 320i/325i/328i/330i https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-engine-overheating-problems-e90-320i-325i-328i-330i/ https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-engine-overheating-problems-e90-320i-325i-328i-330i/#respond Sun, 04 Apr 2021 15:30:45 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=3333 More]]> How to fix them? Read the whole article below 🙂

AFFECTED MODELS: BMW 320i/ BMW 325i/ BMW 328i/ BMW 330i

The BMW 3 Series: E90/E91/E92/E93, is a model that is fondly remembered for its reliability, technology, and performance. When it came out, it had a huge chip on its shoulder because of the beloved outgoing E46 BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series E9x cars were a hit amongst enthusiasts and critics alike.

E90 BMW 320i 325i 328i 330i Engine Overheating Problems

However, as time went by, and consumers added miles to their cars; they got to be greeted by the following message:

“Engine temperature too high drive moderately”

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Engine temperature too high drive moderately warning message

These six words are standard options that come with the E90/E91/E92/93 BMW 3 Series. The overheating problems in the engines come after a hefty amount of mileage has been achieved. The internet forums and reviews are full of complaints regarding these. So, let’s take a look at what that BMW engine overheat message is about.

Main Reasons of Engine Overheating

Faulty Thermostat

BMW E90 Faulty Thermostat Engine Overheating Problem Issues

If you’ve got an E90/E91/E92/E93 BMW 3 Series that is overheating, then a good guess is to check the thermostat before doing anything else. The 2006 BMW 325i models are known for their overheating problems due to this.

Water Pump Failure

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Water Pump Failure Engine Overheating Problem Issues

Then we come to the most recurring problem. The water pump on the 2006-2012 BMW 3 Series models has always been known to fail at an average of around 75 thousand miles. This issue will require all of the components mentioned here, to be changed.

Damaged Radiator Fan

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Damaged Radiator Fan Engine Overheating Problem Issues

The next problem that can lead to your BMW engine overheating is when the radiator fan upfront stops working. This problem has pestered several BMW 3 Series 325i and 328i owners. When you get the thermostat or the pump changed, it is key that you replace this as well.

Coolant Issues

Coolant-related problems can cause many overheating issues for a BMW engine. While some of these are reactions to the problems discussed above, leakages and blockages are not. These can be found on any BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 variant.

Problems Explained

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Engine hot Engine temperature too high drive moderately warning message 1

Let’s dive a little deeper into these overheating problems, starting with the thermostat. The thermostat’s job is to ensure that the engine is working with the right temperature conditions.

The E90/E91/E92/E93 BMW 3 Series models became the first of the historic lineup to have an electric water pump. Coming under PCM technology, an electric water pump meant that the ages-old feature was now under the command of the ECU. No water pump means that the coolant won’t be able to flow around and maintain the engine temperature.

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Smoking Engine Overheating Problems Issues

A common set of overheating issues can be attributed to the cooling fan malfunctioning. Your BMW 3 Series needs cooling air to flow through its engine, and that can’t happen efficiently if the fan is not working. Thankfully, this is one of the easier issues to diagnose.

Often at times, overheating can be due to coolant troubles. The coolant ensures that heat gets exchanged. A dried-up reservoir can be due to coolant leakage, which can be due to one or more cracks in the cooling system. Blockages can also stem from air getting into the hoses.

How to Avoid These Problems?

E90 320i 325i 328i 330i BMW Engine Overheating Problems How to Avoid

What to do when your BMW overheats? How about you don’t let it get to that point. Most BMW engine overheating issues result from a faulty water pump. This is a problem that all E9x BMW owners face at least once. However, the mileages at which it happens differ, as most encounter this issue after crossing 65k miles; some get it at around 55k, and some don’t get it even until 90k miles.

However, you can take precautions like using good-quality pure coolant to prevent the insides of your BMW 3 Series pump from corroding. You should also ensure that the coolant levels are substantial while running your BMW E9x. But since this is an electrical system, the most important factor is a well-maintained PCM. Make sure you don’t let it get wet very often, drive on smooth roads, and don’t let it receive excess voltage due to bad wiring.

Similarly, while the thermostat is a simpler piece of equipment that lasts according to wear and tear; it can also be maintained with a well-kept coolant circuit. However, there’s nothing you can do to prevent the radiator fan from malfunctioning if you drive a lot. These machines succumb to wear and tear.

As far as the coolant is concerned, the leakages can be prevented if you drive safely and make sure that you don’t hit the system on anything to crack it. Coolant flushes and replacement definitely keep the system in shape.

How to Fix This Problem?

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i How to Fix Overheating Engine

As discussed above, there’s no one way to fix an overheating BMW. The first thing you need to do when hit with an “Engine temperature too high, drive moderately” is to diagnose what is causing that high temperature.

Replacing the BMW’s Thermostat

A fried thermostat on a BMW will be indicated by overheating, and the Bimmer taking a long time to warm up. Replacing the stat requires coolant flushing, radiator drainage, and a cooling fan replacement. If this doesn’t fix your engine’s overheating, then the next paragraph should help.

Replacing the BMW’s Water Pump

A good sign of a faulty pump is when your BMW 320i / 325i / 328i / 330i overheats, but you don’t lose coolant. The pump must be replaced, and this is a time-consuming task. For that, you’ll also have to get into the engine, drain out the radiator, and flush out the coolant. You’ll have to replace bits such as the thermostat, and the cooling fan (here too).

Replacing the BMW’s Radiator Fan

Changing this is a lot simpler than the aforementioned components. You just need to remove parts to get to it, replace them and then reconnect everything. No messy drainages will be required, but the catch is, that you’ll need to be careful!

Filling up the BMW’s Coolant

This is a no-brainer. If you notice bubbling and the car is overheating, you’ll need to bleed out the system because it has air in it. If there’s no coolant, then check for leaks and fix them before topping up with the coolant. Keeping the coolant in top-notch condition is vital regardless.

How Expensive Is It to Repair?

How Expensive to Repair BMW Overheating

You better hope you’re not dealing with a water pump replacement because that will set you back at around a thousand dollars. A good cooling fan can cost anywhere between 200 to 250 dollars. Thermostat replacement can cost around $30 to $165 depending on the quality, and you must add the fan’s cost to the mix. Make sure to get only the best quality parts, as the cheaper ones won’t last long. The coolant is the cheapest at around $20, for a BMW recommended antifreeze.

These costs can vary based on your location, and the nature of the overheating problem.

Is There A Recall About This Issue?

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Recall Engine Overheating Problem Issues

Yes, there is. In 2017, about 672,775 BMW 3 Series cars including BMW 320i, BMW 325i, BMW 328i, and BMW 330i models were recalled. The details of the recall according to the NTHSA documents stated that the blower motor’s wiring in each of those cars was at the risk of overheating.

Is the BMW 325i A Reliable Car?

E93 BMW 325i Reliable Car

Yes, it is moderately reliable. While its parts are not the cheapest in the market, they are built to last. The maintenance costs are similar to the BMW 328i, and BMW 330i, but are lower than the BMW 320i.

All of the BMW 3 Series 325i owners that have been consulted on various enthusiast forums have said that their cars haven’t bothered them much.

The cars do not break down much, as far as frequency is concerned. However, the trips to the mechanics for spontaneous repairs have been said to have cost a lot due to the repairs being big ones.

Of course, since the car is old, if you plan on getting one, your experience will depend on how the previous owner has kept theirs. So, a well-maintained BMW might not give you the same issues as one that has been used in a rugged fashion.

Conclusion

BMW E90 320i 325i 328i 330i Engine Overheating Conclusion

So, what do we make of the issues mentioned above? Well, while these do cause damage to the E90’s legacy, they do not cast a shadow over it. The biggest problem that causes overheating is the fuel pump.

While many cars don’t overheat even after they’ve crossed about 10 years of running, remember that they haven’t been fitted with the kind of tech on these BMWs. 60 thousand is a large number of miles and remember, there have been plenty of new cars that have brought misery to their owners right after they were driven out of the showroom.

Regardless, if you own a BMW 320i, BMW 325i, BMW 328i, or a BMW 330i, we have shown you what to do if your BMW is overheating. Fixing these overheating issues must be done as quick as possible if you want to preserve the rest of your engine.

If you plan on buying an E90 BMW 3-series, do not worry about a possible BMW engine overheat message. Think about getting a car with less miles, or one that has had this job done already. Thanks for reading this article! Hope we sorted all the things out.

This is a no-brainer. If you notice bubbling and the car is overheating, you’ll need to bleed out the system because it has air in it. If there’s no coolant, then check for leaks and fix them before topping up with the coolant. Keeping the coolant in top-notch condition is vital regardless.

We recommend you read our previous article regarding the smoking engine of the Audi A4.

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Why the BMW N47 Engine is THE MOST Unreliable BMW Engine? https://automotivesblog.com/why-the-bmw-n47-engine-is-the-most-unreliable-bmw-engine/ https://automotivesblog.com/why-the-bmw-n47-engine-is-the-most-unreliable-bmw-engine/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:52:29 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=2984 More]]> Introduction

The BMW N47 is a four-cylinder inline diesel engine, it’s the successor to the BMW M47 engine. It ranges from 1.6 to 2.0-liters in displacement and outputs 94 to 204hp as per the configuration. It, being a modern engine, complies with the stricter emission standards using EGR and DPF technology, which leads to some of the problems this engine faces. All the major and minor problems that you should expect when driving this engine are discussed below.

This engine has been fitted in the BMW 1 series, 5 series, and 3 series 4-cylinder diesel variants.

The Problems

Timing Chain Premature Failure

BMW N47 Timing Chain
BMW N47 Engine Timing Chain

The timing chain inside the BMW N47 engine suffers from excessive wear and premature breakdowns. It can collapse while the engine is running, which causes serious damage to the engine. It mostly requires a complete engine replacement if the damage is severe or requires some major repairs. A failing timing chain can be diagnosed with a rattling noise from the rear side of the engine. The timing chain seats between the engine and the transmission at the rear end of the engine, thus requiring either the engine to be removed or the transmission to be detached to replace the timing chain.

EGR Sensor Malfunction

The EGR system was designed to help the car meet stricter emissions standards. It recirculates a part of the exhaust gases back into the intake to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide. But this system starts malfunctioning when the sensor gets covered in soot. It then makes more and more exhaust air recirculate into the intake. The hot exhaust gases cause the plastic intake manifold to melt and leak out in some scenarios. This opened valve also results in a reduction in boost pressure.

A widely opened EGR valve can result in soot build up on the Fuel injectors, intake manifold and the glow plugs. It results in reduced airflow due to the restrictions and prevents the car from starting easily in winters.

PDF Not Working in Short Runs

DPF filters out soot or diesel particulate matter from the exhaust gases. It functionally operates under high temperatures. On frequent shorter journeys, this DPF does not get hot enough to remove the soot and exhaust gases manage to get out unfiltered. This results in soot build up on your turbo, DPF sensor, EGR sensor and even on your engines glow plugs.

Power Steering Pump Failure

The power steering pump is also not much reliable on these engines. A failing power steering pump can be identified from oil spillage around the cap of steering oil reservoir.

Crank Case Breather Hose Oil Leakage Under High Temperature

The rubber crank case breather hose leaks out typically under high temperature. This is indicated by oil leakage from the hose end. This problem was however resolved by BMW by replacing it with a stiffer plastic hose.

Conclusion

So, if you are among the owners of a car equipped with the BMW N47 engine, look out for the timing chain making any rattling noise, it is suitable to replace it around 60-100k miles. Do clean your car’s EGR sensor on timely oil changes to avoid unnecessary soot build in your intake and engine components. If you get a good deal on selling it, go for it as it is better to just avoid this engine, then to own and babysit it.

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BMW N47 Engine Problems – Timing Chain Failure [ How to Fix! ] https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n47-engine-problems-timing-chain-failure-how-to-fix/ https://automotivesblog.com/bmw-n47-engine-problems-timing-chain-failure-how-to-fix/#respond Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:27:05 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=2778 More]]> The BMW N47 is an Inline 4-cylinder diesel engine that has been installed in the BMW 1, 2, 3, and 5 series, respectively X1 and X3, diesel variants, that were produced from 2007 to about 2014. This engine is prone to excessive timing chain wear and premature failures.

Timing Chain Failure

The timing chain in this engine is placed at the rear side of the engine and is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. Being in such an inaccessible place also makes its replacement not an easy task. Parts normally installed in such inaccessible places are designed to last for the life of the engine, but not in this case. The timing chain in the N47 can fail anywhere between 40 to 100k miles and can cause serious damage to the engine as its parts lose synchronization.

Diagnosis

Most of the time, when the timing chain breaks off inside the engine, it also damages the engine components, which leads to huge repair bills. This problem can also be diagnosed prior to its complete failure by looking out for a rattling noise from the rear side of the engine.

Replacement and Repairs

The timing chain being in such an inaccessible place requires the mechanic to take the engine completely out of its bay to get good access to the chain. Taking the engine out is itself a big and hefty task. After that, it is another hefty disassembly that provides you access to the chains themselves

The timing chain replacement kit consists of 3 chains, for the oil pump, camshaft, and high-pressure fuel pump. You also need to have a tool kit to lock the crankshaft and camshaft in their place while working on them so that they do not lose synchronization. After getting the engine out from the bay these are the major steps that must be performed to replace the timing chains.

  • Firstly, ensure that cylinders 1 and 4 are at the top dead center, to maintain the point for synchronizing the points in accordance with it.
  • Lock your crank shafts at this place with the looking tools you have.
  • Take the tensioner for the camshaft chain out to loosen the chain a bit and loosen the 3 bolts on the camshaft sprocket.
  • Loosening the high-pressure fuel pump will make the process of getting the fuel pump sprocket off easier.
  • Take out the bolts holding the fly wheel and get the flywheel off the crankshaft.
  • Undo the bolts of the starter motor to further get access to take out the oil sump.
  • Take the oil sump out by undoing the corresponding bolts.
  • Now take the timing cover out by undoing the bolts and holding it in place. It will require a bit of prying and light taps from the hammer. Now you will have access to all the chains and sprockets.
  • Now remove the oil pump sprocket and the guides for the oil pump by undoing the bolts. Remove the chain for the oil pump.
  • Similarly, remove the guides and tensioner for the camshaft sprocket and take out the sprocket along with the belt.
  • Now rotate the crankshaft 45 degrees after TDC and undo the tensioner, guides, and sprockets for the high-pressure fuel pump. Take the belt along with the sprockets out as well.
  • The last thing would be your oil sprayer; you can remove it for replacement if needed.
  • After that, place the new belts in reverse order, ensuring all components remain in sync till the end.

Conclusion

This timing chain issue is a critical flaw in the engine’s design and the best way to solve it is to avoid the cars with this N47 engine or get rid of it in running order if you can. As this engine also faces many problems due to the emission control devices installed in it such as the EGR and DPF.

We recommend you to read more details regarding the BMW N4 engine problems in our article below:

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E90/F30 BMW 3 Series, E60/F10 BMW 5 Series – N47 Engine Problems – Timing Chain Failure ( 2007 – 2015 ) https://automotivesblog.com/e90-f30-bmw-3-series-e60-f10-bmw-5-series-n47-engine-problems-timing-chain-failure-2007-2015/ https://automotivesblog.com/e90-f30-bmw-3-series-e60-f10-bmw-5-series-n47-engine-problems-timing-chain-failure-2007-2015/#respond Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:44:14 +0000 https://automotivesblog.com/?p=2710 More]]> In this article, we will explain the problems with the BMW N47 engine in detail.

The turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engines in the E90/F30 BMW 3 Series and E60/F10 BMW 5 Series sedans from 2007 to 2015 are powered by the 1.6L/2.0L BMW N47 engine. One major issue of the BMW N47 engine is the timing chain wear and the way it works for a short time. The engine also suffers from problems associated with using emission control devices such as the EGR and DPF.

The N47 engine was introduced in March 2007 on the E81/E87 BMW 1 Series. The following car, which ran the same engine was a facelifted E60/E61 BMW 5 Series from September 2007. After that, the N47 engine with the same timing chain failure problem was added to the facelifted BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93. This particular engine, the N47 engine, was launched in the BMW X3, BMW X1, and other BMW Series.

Also, the story of the problematic BMW E47 engine continued for a large range of BMW Models.

Top 8 Problems

1. BMW N47 Engine – Timing Chain Failure

BMW N47 Engine Problem Timing Chain Premature Failure

The timing chain equipped inside the N47 engine of these cars is known to fail prematurely. Failure of the timing chain, while it’s running, causes the engine parts to go out of sync and can damage the engine severely. The timing chain is also placed at the rear end of the N47 engine sandwiched between the engine and the transmission which makes it very inaccessible to reach for a replacement.

To replace an aging timing chain, the engine has to be taken out of the bay completely and stripped down to its core. It is not an easy task and makes huge bills if the timing chain failure has caused other parts to go bad as well. It is advisable to replace the timing chain in this engine within 60-100k miles to avoid any dangerous failures during driving.

2. EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)

BMW EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation

The EGR valve is a system fitted to modern vehicles to reduce the amount of NOx exiting from the vehicle’s exhaust. It does so by reburning a part of the exhaust gases reducing the overall amount of NOx. But the NOx sensor easily gets clogged up by soot overtime, which causes the valve to remain open more than it should be. This allows excessive exhaust gases to move in the intake manifold for a prolonged amount of time. The intake manifold, being made up of plastic, ultimately melts down and this causes holes in your intake manifold due to which you lose boost or intake pressure. It can even result in a fire in rare cases inside your engine bay.

3. DPF Sensor

BMW DPF Particle Filter

DPF is a device that filters out particulates or soot from the exhaust gases of a diesel engine. The sensor is prone to failure due to the DPF not working efficiently when cold. It usually occurs due to short journeys, where the DPF does not get warm enough to filter out the soot from the exhaust gases. This results in soot built up on your DPF sensor, glow plugs, and it even ruins your turbo.

4. Crankcase Breather Hose

BMW Crankcase Breather

The crankcase breather hose came in rubber in the early models, which as they got hot caused the hose to leak oil. This problem was addressed by BMW by replacing it with a plastic hose that stays strong even in hotter conditions.

5. Soot Built Up in Intake

Soot Built Up in Intake Manifold BMW Faulty EGR sensor

Due to a faulty EGR sensor, massive amount of soot can easily build up on your intake manifold and your Anti-Shudder valve which can restrict airflow and result in reduced boost pressures.

6. Soot Built Up on Injectors

BMW Soot Built Up on Fuel Injectors

EGR gases cause the built up of soot on the injector’s bases, which restricts the fuel from squirting evenly inside the cylinder. This can result in your car’s rpm fluctuations.

7. Glow Plugs

BMW Glow Plug

Glow plugs also go bad earlier than they should due to soot built up from EGR gases. It results in difficulty in starting the car in winter mornings.

8. Power Steering Pump

The power steering pump attached to the engine is also known to fail earlier in this engine. Its failure can be diagnosed with power steering fluid leakage from the power steering reservoir’s cap.

BMW N47 Engine Recall

BMW N47 Engine Recall

There is a petition and I recommend you to sign it if you own a BMW with the problematic BMW N47 Engine. All of us know that this is a manufacturing issue, a wrong design of the timing chain that will cause its premature failure, so… you will have to pay BIG bills. Shame on BMW because they do not take care of the customers! They get big money for premium cars, but what? They offer big problems to their customers’ cars. So, please sign the petition: https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/en/BMW_N47_engine_recall/

Hope to see a recall AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Conclusion

It is better to just avoid the cars equipped with BMW’s N47 engine. Or if you happen to own one then try to get rid of the EGR and DPF system completely from a competent mechanic. As most of the problems originate from faulty EGR and DPF systems. Other than that, look out for any rattles from the engine from its rear side, and if you are over 80k miles and haven’t replaced the timing chain yet, don’t take the risk and get it replaced to avoid big bills in the future.

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