[pepsih]

Hi i just bought a 2011 X3 2.8xdrive, with the n52 engine, I had a really good deal on it however as you can hear it, the engine doesn't sound too happy...

As you can hear at idle it sounds worst than a Diesel, once I press the throttle looks like the sound is much better.
what can cause it?

I will start with some fresh oil even if the previous owner said he did it.
i'll remove the valve cover and see what's going on inside.
So i need your help, what's going on with this engine

[Volasko]

Its hard to say if that is just the normal N52 engine tick. The best way to confirm is drive it hard and warm it up and see if it improves. My car kinda sounds like that when it first fires up after sitting for a while but improves after a quick boot.

[E92William]

Does it vibrate and or feel like it's missing at idle? First thing I'd do is change the oil which is well what I do with every used car I buy. That sounds to me like some weird lifter tick as pointed out^. I'd change the oil and drive it around then take off the belt if it keeps the sound see if it changes and scan it.

[pepsih]

Originally Posted by E92William

Does it vibrate and or feel like it's missing at idle? First thing I'd do is change the oil which is well what I do with every used car I buy. That sounds to me like some weird lifter tick as pointed out^. I'd change the oil and drive it around then take off the belt if it keeps the sound see if it changes and scan it.

It does vibrate but nothing crazy, I don't think its misfiring. BTW check engine is OFF, but I'll scan it anyway.

I'm waiting on the filter at the moment. Would you recommand 0w40 or 5w30?

I know the n52 had issues with the lifters but since its the upgraded version with the new head I'm having doubts.
How about the timing chain tensioner?

Well anyway will keep you posted im really curious whats going on there.

[E92William]

I run 5w30 in my car with great results from oil analysis but I've ran 5w40 before with no issues. Get whatever is on sale at Walmart so long as it's synthetic high mileage. Have it scanned though if you don't have a proper deep scanner you might not see anything.

I had a similar ticking noise the other day and it was my ac compressor pulley, went away after turning off and on a couple times. That's why I suggested the belt off thing

[JonOhh]

The thing I find odd is how consistent it is.... but mine definitely doesn't make that noise at all.

[pepsih]

OK i think i found the issue.
today i drain the oil and replace the filter and i had some BAD news
however i still decided to remove the valve cover.
here is what i found:
Some of T=the bolts on the intake camshaft are loose
and The bolts are "missing" broken off from the exhaust side
please see the photos attached
https://ibb.co/CWTFpwj
https://ibb.co/yXYnrjW
https://ibb.co/CbrrZ1R
https://ibb.co/MRw4yyw
https://ibb.co/CbrrZ1R
https://ibb.co/n3Fjh2K
https://ibb.co/fnJQw0c


Can someone help me out finding that bolt?

[pepsih]

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/201...4V176-2716.pdf


interesting, does this apply to me?

[E92William]

I think that recall is from cars from 2010 and up which would most definitely cover you and that's great news then. That bolt looks like it came straight from that actuator. Phew. Call a local dealer and tell them you have an n52 that has a broken actuator bolt and see what they say.

Are all other bolts in there tight? Check by hand all you can reach, my old 325i 06 had loose cam cap bolts and one broken off but I think it was due to the previous owner driving it no fucks given with a constant misfire and vibration.

Is that a piece missing from the timing chain in the other picture? EDIT: nvm that's just a weird looking riveted part of a link.

[pepsih]

Originally Posted by E92William

I think that recall is from cars from 2010 and up which would most definitely cover you and that's great news then. That bolt looks like it came straight from that actuator. Phew. Call a local dealer and tell them you have an n52 that has a broken actuator bolt and see what they say.

Are all other bolts in there tight? Check by hand all you can reach, my old 325i 06 had loose cam cap bolts and one broken off but I think it was due to the previous owner driving it no fucks given with a constant misfire and vibration.

Is that a piece missing from the timing chain in the other picture? EDIT: nvm that's just a weird looking riveted part of a link.

I actually found that post
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1422717
and that video

So basically that's the issue i have.

The only thing is that I checked on BMW website as-well as NHTSA to see if I have any open recall and I Don't!
The production date is 2011-06-28 which is spot on the recall

"This Recall involves certain E70, E71, E82, E88, E89, E90, E92, E93, F10 and F25 vehicles with the N51, N52K
and N52T engines produced from September 2009 to November 2011. "

[E92William]

Your engine is definitely in the recall even if their website is garbage at realizing it. Call up a local dealer and see what they say. Even if your engine wasn't for some reason covered (which a call to BMW NA would fix ) you're already under the valve cover and ready to tackle the job.

You caught it early. That might be why the previous owner let that car go unaware of the recall. My 328xi had a common transmission shudder which I'm sure made the previous owner sell it thinking it was going bad when all it needed was a fluid change.

[pepsih]

UPDATE:
FIRST of ALL BIG THANK YOU TO KEN D. From Competition BMW Of Smithtown!!! on Long Island.

He took care of me, was very patient, since the car was not yet registered, they had to wait till i register it and to make things harder with COVID it took more than a week and a half to register the car!.


The Vanos Bolts were covered under the SIB 01 10 14 (Please check if your vehicle is in that SIB)
on TOP of that they had to remove the oil pan, replaced all seal and gasket.

Please see the list of all the parts replaced:


THANK YOU once again!!!

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by pepsih

UPDATE:
FIRST of ALL BIG THANK YOU TO KEN D. From Competition BMW Of Smithtown!!! on Long Island.

He took care of me, was very patient, since the car was not yet registered, they had to wait till i register it and to make things harder with COVID it took more than a week and a half to register the car!.


The Vanos Bolts were covered under the SIB 01 10 14 (Please check if your vehicle is in that SIB)
on TOP of that they had to remove the oil pan, replaced all seal and gasket.

Please see the list of all the parts replaced:


THANK YOU once again!!!

Cool, which means you just got some of the heavy PM work done for free. Nice. Glad it all worked out.

[309xi]

So can I have a dealership do this or at least check on it even without symptoms? My car is a November 2010 build afaik.

[ccyccm]

Congrats! It feels awesome doesn’t it? Had the same work performed under warranty earlier this year. Enjoy

[pepsih]

Originally Posted by ccyccm

Congrats! It feels awesome doesn’t it? Had the same work performed under warranty earlier this year. Enjoy

Feel so good especially for the fact that I just bought the car AS-IS lol for a great deal! The guy that I bought it from brought it to a BMW dealer that recommended an engine replacement or they were willing to take it from him for $2500 lool. Of course the previous owner disagreed and instead sold it to me...

Originally Posted by 309xi

So can I have a dealership do this or at least check on it even without symptoms? My car is a November 2010 build afaik.

Thats a ticking bomb, if your car is in that recall I would give it a shot and talk to the service people even i you have zero symptoms, the worst they can is say No(in your case time is running out)