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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications Timing chain check?
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      08-25-2019, 04:52 PM   #1
Brian Edward
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Timing chain check?

I have an 2013 528i with 84,000 miles on it. I have read so much about the plastic chain guide being faulty and breaking up thus ruining your engine. I read there is an upgraded version of it?....Is there any way to prevent this before it may happen?. I also have read that it only has happened to a very small number of cars?....Thanks!
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      08-30-2019, 06:49 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Edward View Post
I have an 2013 528i with 84,000 miles on it. I have read so much about the plastic chain guide being faulty and breaking up thus ruining your engine. I read there is an upgraded version of it?....Is there any way to prevent this before it may happen?. I also have read that it only has happened to a very small number of cars?....Thanks!
I'd search the F30 forum to get more detailed info about your question. The F10 Users are mainly 535i owners and up. However in regards to your question it's one of those things that chooses to happen. Some people think it's excess tension on the chain from the ASS. Some think it's the quality of the guide itself and I've seen some users state the oil change intervals also being the issue.

DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!... bmwtechnician (Google it) is also a good source for this issue. They provided a a list of the effected see here:
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I do want to mention if you do decide to do preventive maintenance here's an invoice of mine getting done with the parts needed.
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      09-04-2019, 08:51 PM   #3
Brian Edward
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Great info guy's, thanks for the reply's!
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      09-28-2019, 03:06 PM   #4
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New here and figured I'd share my experience. I recently purchased a 2013 528 xdrive with 81000 miles. After finding out about the timing chain issue i was paranoid even though I didn't have the whine.

I got a local shop to replace the guides and chain. I'm glad I did. Both guides were cracked or chipped in multiple places and there was plastic in the oil pan.

It's a big job but the peace of mind is worth it. Did trans fluid as well so all new fluids and gaskets (valve cover and oil pan were leaking) $2675 total
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      09-28-2019, 09:47 PM   #5
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chrism1107, Was the chain guide/oil pump dark brown or lighter in color, also, what is the car build date? Any pics of the old guides?
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      09-29-2019, 02:17 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m1256 View Post
chrism1107, Was the chain guide/oil pump dark brown or lighter in color, also, what is the car build date? Any pics of the old guides?
Yes, the guides were dark brown/orange. New ones are white. Build date is 11/2012.
Sorry, I didn't take any pics. The pieces that broke off were near the mounting points(maybe pearl size pieces) and the upper guide was broken so it was no longer one piece.
No telling when or if it would actually come apart but both guides were definitely damaged.
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      09-29-2019, 06:57 AM   #7
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Thanks for the response. I have model year 14 X1 n20 with a 08/13 build date. The timing chain guides in mine are a light coffee color, not the dark brown ones. Rumor has it they changed the timing chain guides after 03/13 to a newer style guide according to some BMW service advisors.

Last edited by m1256; 09-29-2019 at 08:57 AM..
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      10-05-2019, 11:24 AM   #8
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I have a 2012 528i with about 85k miles, oil changed every 5k miles. Decided to change the timing guide guides only as this only required removing the valve cover and not the pan. The guides were damaged as the OP at the same places. The color is just from the oil staining it over time. Both the new guide and the old has "PA66" stamped on them, which seems to indicate they are the same material.

My guess is the guides will probably last another 5-10k miles but would most likely not make it past 100k miles.
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