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N20 Timing Chain failure Drivetrain malfunction. BMW F25 X3 2013 53,000 miles

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160K views 348 replies 115 participants last post by  ExGMan  
M
#1 · (Edited)
My wife's 2013 X3 just stopped and gave a drivetrain malfunction error in the middle of the road while she was driving.

I was unable to move it and could not push it.

I tried the emergency electronic release but after 20 minutes realized no matter what I did it would not work.

Then I remembered the manual release screw under the car!

This video helped.... But I had to remove the panels underneath with a 8mm socket to gain access to the Allen wrench screw.

Let me say..... what a pain in the ass!

Finally got the car out of gear and towed home. To make matters worse warranty just expired 3 months ago, car now has 53,000. I swear BMW does this on purpose.

No I am trying to diagnose the problem..

I am hoping its something simple... I have seen where the ignition coils have failed locking out the transmission to prevent damage...

ANy help would be appreciated. I cant believe how dangerous this car is designed. I was stuck in one spot for 1 hour trying to disengage the gear lock. I hope this helps someone else. The car was unable to be moved or towed until the lock is disabled.

Anyone have any idea on what it could be?...

***UPDATE***
The timing chain and or timing chain guards failed resulting in a total loss of the engine.

I have had many people with the BMW N20 issue email me of similar failures and am keeping a list here...
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W-8OS20dHFYuGzbW3o6asbA61aiNC7nSjO0qMWTYAH4/edit#gid=0

Please add your comments to this forum if you had a similar experience.
 

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T
#2 ·
Ran into something similar except luckily I ended up on the shoulder out of traffic. The starter wouldn't crank, could not get it into neutral, so the tow truck had to drag it up the ramp. Ugh. Bad design to not be able to move a disabled vehicle in case of emergency, that's for sure.
 
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G
#3 · (Edited)
Must Read. Stuck Car! Drivetrain malfunction and how to disable it..

Do you have a link to the video? Or was it just the pictures you were referring to?

Thanks! Good luck with the fix! It happened to me and it was the megatronic module. One day my car was working perfectly fine and the next day it wouldn't shift out of park. No warning nothing. Car would turn on and everything would work as normal just wouldn't get out of park.
 
M
#5 ·
Problem is having to have all the tools available and the time.
I am trying to get the car to a service computer tomorrow. Bmw dealer will likely charge an arm and a leg. Will see what my local Bmw mechanic will say.
Didn't even know what a megatronic module was until you mentioned it. Then I noticed alot of posts on them failing.

What did the repair cost. I'm assuming you were under warranty.

Looks like this is my next project
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rJw7RWGl0Qw
 
G
#7 ·
magas said:
Problem is having to have all the tools available and the time.
I am trying to get the car to a service computer tomorrow. Bmw dealer will likely charge an arm and a leg. Will see what my local Bmw mechanic will say.
Didn't even know what a megatronic module was until you mentioned it. Then I noticed alot of posts on them failing.

What did the repair cost. I'm assuming you were under warranty.

Looks like this is my next project
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rJw7RWGl0Qw
Click to expand...
Don't know what the repair would have cost as it was under warranty. Big headache to deal with.
Good luck with your issue. And let us know what the problem is
 
I
#6 ·
magas said:
My wife's 2013 X3 just stopped and gave a drivetrain malfunction error in the middle of the road while she was driving.

I was unable to move it and could not push it.

I tried the emergency electronic release but after 20 minutes realized no matter what I did it would not work.

Then I remembered the manual release screw under the car!

This video helped.... But I had to remove the panels underneath with a 8mm socket to gain access to the Allen wrench screw.

Let me say..... what a pain in the ass!

Finally got the car out of gear and towed home. To make matters worse warranty just expired 3 months ago, car now has 53,000. I swear BMW does this on purpose.

No I am trying to diagnose the problem..

I am hoping its something simple... I have seen where the ignition coils have failed locking out the transmission to prevent damage...

ANy help would be appreciated. I cant believe how dangerous this car is designed. I was stuck in one spot for 1 hour trying to disengage the gear lock. I hope this helps someone else. The car was unable to be moved or towed until the lock is disabled.

Anyone have any idea on what it could be?...
Click to expand...
You need to get the BMW codes read out - this can be caused by many things.
 
M
#8 ·
Opened the oil cover... the car is turning but not starting.
When I look in the oil cover the timing chain is not moving!

Now I'm thinking the car is got a big mechanical failure...

For some reason the mechanic's code reasder could not communicate with the computer to pull the codes with his BMW scanner.

Ill keep updating as I figure it out. Any suggestions are welcome.
 
I
#10 ·
magas said:
Opened the oil cover... the car is turning but not starting.
When I look in the oil cover the timing chain is not moving!

Now I'm thinking the car is got a big mechanical failure...

For some reason the mechanic's code reasder could not communicate with the computer to pull the codes with his BMW scanner.

Ill keep updating as I figure it out. Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
So the engine is turning over, but looking into the oil cap nothing is moving?

Sounds like a timing chain failure...
 
M
#11 ·
Latest update....
First it was 100 dollars to diagnose the problem at the dealership.
Then they needed to do an "deep" inspection. Another 790 dollars.

I was told they have found metal shavings in the oil filter and still don't know what the problem is.

I think the gear of the timing chain failed, but I hope I'm wrong.

Lets see what Bmw does.

I can say I am very disappointed so far and hope bmw extends the warranty. :mad: for the 3k miles is over.
If not this is the last time I make the mistake of buying and not leasing. Also it will be the last BMW I drive.
 
M
#13 ·
So they took the care apart and found the plastic timing chain alignment guard was shattered. They are charging 6k for the repair or 17k if they need to replace the Motor.
The said I can try to contact Bmw America if they will help. And maybe give a 10% discount.
Bad news.
 
C
#17 · (Edited)
Omg. This freaks me out....I hope BMW helps you. How could this have been avoided, or can't it? Is this a rare occurrence or a known fault? Why is there a PLASTIC piece in there tha, if broken, can cause failure of the entire engine?
 
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#22 · (Edited)
namelessman said:
To OP, is there any mod to the car? If not this seems to be an engine design issue. The plastic chain guide does look flimsy in the N20 engine build video, BMWAG should really step up and get this right, preferably with a recall.
Click to expand...
How many other losses like this have there been? I don't recall reading about it here before. Is it really that frequent to warrant a recall? A service bulletin perhaps, but a recall? Plus, doesn't a recall need to be related to a safety issue?

Regardless, there is unfortunately always a certain percentage of any thing, no matter how perfectly designed it may even be, that will fail.
.
 
N
#27 · (Edited)
It is good that dealer did all service as BMWNA cannot complain non-BMW oil/parts used on the car.

One remote possibility is that the engine is under extra stress, e.g. DD includes uphill climbs. One thing checked by a local indy is the mpg to see if a car is driven hard(including uphill terrains). His explanation is that 50k@12-15mpg is equivalent to 100k@25-30mpg as far as engine wear and tear is concerned(for the same engine).
 
M
#29 · (Edited)
Here is the letter Im going to send BMW NA. Lets see if they stand by their product or not.

RE: BMW X3 2013
Miles:53,000
RE: Complete Engine Failure of timing chain

I have owned numerous BMW***8217;s in my life and my wife and I both currently drive BMWs. I purchased a new 2013 X3 28i for my family from the XXXXXX BMW dealership. Today, the car sits in the BMW Service Center completely unusable with an estimate of over $18,000 to ***8220;possibly***8221; fix.

The purpose of this letter is to express my frustration with my current situation on this vehicle and request for BMW NA assistance to stand by their product and correct this situation.

I distinctly remember the day we picked up X3. There was a loud clicking coming from the engine bay. I was told repeatedly that this was normal for these engines and there was nothing to worry about.

Over the next 3 years the vehicle did have some minor issues and recalls that were all addressed by our local dealer, but overall it performed well and we were happy with our purchase. In fact, I was going to upgrade to a newer X5 or wait for the new X7 for our family car.

Absolutely all of our service, oil changes and maintenance had been performed by the BMW Service Center in Sarasota Florida.

At 48,000 miles we brought in the car for its scheduled maintenance and again complained about the strong ticking noise from the engine bay and now white smoke coming out from the exhaust. There was also an increase in fuel consumption we noticed. Again, we were assured this was normal and not to worry and the vehicle was in perfect shape.

On 5/15/2016 my wife was driving with our 2 young children and the car abruptly stopped giving her a drivetrain malfunction error. The car was a stuck in gear and could not be pushed or placed in neutral and blocked traffic until we could tow it away.

The timing chain guards had shattered and the car was stuck in gear unable to be pushed or driven. After talking to many people and reading multiple post online I found numerous instances of similar BMW X3s and N20 engines all having timing chain failures after 40,000 Miles.

I feel this is BMW's responsibility to completely repair my vehicle due to the signs of abnormal engine noise and white smoke that were warning signs of a defective engine that were never addressed properly.

As a loyal BMW customer I expect the engine not to have a major mechanical failure 3,000 after the warranty expires and only 3.5 years after I purchase the vehicle.

I am hoping that BMW NA will correct this issue. If not I will be forced to obtain legal counsel in order to compensate my losses and lack of a vehicle. I honestly have no interest in seeking punitive damages and only want the vehicle returned to a working reliable condition.

I can say that I have seen over over 20 instances of this N20 engine failing in a similar manner online at www.bimmerfest.com, www.bimmerpost.com, www.bimmerforums.com. I also have talked to mechanics who have seen similar failures all around and under 50,000 miles.

This needs to be addressed and am kindly writing BMW to rectify this situation.

Respectfully,


Going to send this tomorrow. lets see what happens now...
 
N
#35 ·
magas said:
At 48,000 miles we brought in the car for its scheduled maintenance and again complained about the strong ticking noise from the engine bay and now white smoke coming out from the exhaust. There was also an increase in fuel consumption we noticed. Again, we were assured this was normal and not to worry and the vehicle was in perfect shape.
Click to expand...
Did the service invoice document ".... now white smoke coming out from the exhaust. There was also an increase in fuel consumption we noticed"? If so the symptoms have been logged prior to new car warranty expiration and at least those should be covered. Do request the SA/director/foreman to open up a PUMA case and request BMW field engineers to look at the prior documents, they can decide if white smoke from exhaust can be attributed to timing chain issues.
 
T
#30 ·
Looks good oither than:
stand by there product
should read:
stand by their product

Really sorry to heard this. I bought a '14 x28i CPO with 46k miles on it just because I was afraid something like this might happen and am now sure glad I did if nothing else, because of the extended warranty.
Wishing you best of luck with your petition!
 
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L
#31 · (Edited)
Read your letter - Looks OK. But it's a bit early to play the lawyer card. Might want to hold that one until & if you get some resistance. You are using email - right? Snail mail can get lost wandering thru the corporate mazes. Begin keeping a detailed log (written) of everyone you talk to (names, dates, places) and things you do. The devil is in the details!

Given the age, mileage, and service record you should expect and push for BMWNA to come through with a "Good Will" repair to correct this situation. Whether this is a BMW or a KIA it is not NORMAL for a catastrophic engine failure like yours!

Your selling / servicing dealer should help support that effort - NOT expect you to carry the ball 200%. If I were you, even if your relationship with your sales person and service advisor is GREAT, get the Dealership General Manager involved.

Good luck - keep us posted!
 
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