BMW 5 Series: N47 Diesel Timing Chain Failure

The N47 2.0-litre diesel positions its timing chain at the rear of the engine at the flywheel end, contrary to most engines where the chain is at the front. The chain stretches and plastic guides disintegrate, frequently causing catastrophic engine failure with little or no warning. Engine removal is required for replacement, making repair exceptionally expensive. This fault was the subject of a Federal Court class action in Australia and formal complaints to the ACCC.

• Rattling or clattering from rear of engine on cold start
• Engine stalls without warning or fails to restart
• Check engine light with camshaft or crankshaft position fault codes
• Loss of power followed by complete engine failure

1. 1

   Listen for timing chain rattle at the rear of the engine on a cold start.

2. 2

   Scan for fault codes P0016, P0017, or DME timing correlation codes.

3. 3

   Request full dealer service history and check for any BMW service bulletin work related to timing chain.

4. 4

   Have a BMW specialist assess chain stretch and guide condition via rear inspection port where possible.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

≈A$4,140 to ≈A$8,740 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “Has the timing chain been inspected or replaced by a BMW specialist?”
• “Is there documented BMW dealer service history showing any timing chain bulletin work?”
• “Does the engine make any rattling noise on a cold start before it warms up?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.