BMW N20 & N26 Engine Diagnostic & Maintenance Guide (BMW F30, F32, F34, E84, & F25)
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- ►The BMW N20 and N26 engine is the turbocharged 4-cylinder successor to the BMW N52 engine. BMW created an engine to match the N52's performance while being smaller and more efficient. Produced from 2011 through 2017, the N20 has been succeeded by the BMW B58 engine. During its production run, the N20 and N26 engine was shoehorned into an array of BMW models such as:
-BMW E84
-BMW E89
-BMW F10
-BMW F15
-BMW F22
-BMW F25
-BMW F26
-BMW F30
-BMW F32
-BMW F34
In our BMW N20 engine diagnostic guide, we cover some of the main points you need to look out for when buying or owning cars with these engines, including:
00:00 - Intro
01:04 -Timing chain & timing system components
05:06 -Waterpump & thermostat
06:29 -Ignition coils and sparkplugs
08:40 -Serpentine belt & belt tensioner
09:53 -Oil filter housing gasket & oil cooler gasket
11:38 -Fuel Injectors
13:38 -High-Pressure Fuel Pump
14:54 -Camshaft and crankshaft position sensors
17:00 -Engine cover & PCV
18:08 -Valve cover & valve cover gasket
22:21 -Turbocharger replacement
25:10 -Oil change intervals and additives
26:03 -Wrap-Up
For more videos on how to buy and maintain a BMW F30, check out our BMW F30 playlist:
• BMW F30
If you want to learn more about the BMW N20 engine and the BMW F30, visit bmwf30.fcpeuro.com for more videos and articles.
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Ppl tell me I'm nuts but I change oil every 5-6k km. Yes, km not miles.
Had Subaru w/turbo prior to bmw, had almost 250k km with 4.5-5.5k km oil change intervals. Sold it to my friend, he had it until almost 300k km then sold it off. On original turbo.
And I tell everyone with turbo engines, change your oil every 5k km.
Great video, thank you!
thanks for giving me about 28 reasons to not sleep tonight :) great video. totally agree about oil change interval. I had a 2015 528 that blew the HPFP at 50K miles, plus an injector. that sucked! I also have a 428i and absolutely love the motor and car. I have really good BMW mechanics that keep up on maintenance. I'm fine working on my 1997 F-150, but not on this car. also too much plastic. but I love watching your channel and love your videos. wife has a 640i. runs like a freight train - or at least the way she drives it does :). not cheap cars to own, but I don't want to drive anything else. :).
😂Sorry Duffy, everything will be just fine!....
Facts 🤣
Why will this engine out of the blue lose oil pressure? Thanks
Yeah man haha I have 74k on my 2015 428i and the hpfp is going bad
New F-150’s are like Rubbermaid if you think the BMW is plastic…
Everything he says is 100% accurate. Own this engine and you will be surprised with how well you can carry out preventive maintenance with this guide. It's not to say that everything will go wrong in one go. But when things do go bad, you know exactly where to look and what to expect. Gareth, it would be great if you guys could cover an episode speaking about the the PCV valve and when to carry out this service. Mine failed and had a tough time figuring out where the whistling sound was coming from. Just got my valve cover and waiting to change this out.
This guy is awesome! Great videos man, really nice work!
Fantastic video! I for one really appreciate the approach to these engines you took in the video. You're info is based on experience and that's the best information you can ask for. Thanks for posting this.
I am very happy that my mechanic told me to do 5K mile oil changes. After this video, I am happy that I have been keeping up with that interval. Just did my most recent change at 115K miles. BTW, my car is a 2013 328i with the N20.
Simplest and best thing you can do Jeff!
Exactly. Extended oil changes are the cause for 80-90% of the problems in modern engines. In Europe they reccomend even longer intervals - 25k km or 15k miles. Crazy, I know.
Did you replace your timing chain?
@@markemmanuelmedina6103 Hi Mark. I have not yet replaced my timing chain. Why not? With those 5K oil change intervals of 5W40 LiquiMoly, I do not have any timing chain noise.
Hi Jeff. I have the same car and model year as you but oddly it’s developed a strange whining noise when revving. Think it may be oil pump. Have you had any issues with this part in yours?
Honestly, this is SOOOOO ridiculously helpful...really do appreciate it. I'm just learning about this engine (I have a 2013 X1) and I find all of this really fascinating. I just bought a basic diag tool also so I'm stoked to use it to help figure things out. There's something about at least having some rough knowledge about what's going that puts me at ease. Imma a little disappointed learning about the timing chain issue with my model year but still fairly low km's so hopefully I can figure something out...
Thank you so much for the information. I wanted to buy a BMW , but after hearing all the horror stories I changed my mind. However, after this video I changed my mind again and now I will get one. Thank you again.
Thank you for all the information and advice, great video from a respectable and honest person
Excellent video. Thanks a million for the valuable insights on what potential issues watch out for.
Great Content, hope you reach more than a million subs. You deserve it! Cheers
Wow, thanks!
I'm so grateful for your videos,I managed to change my thermostat by myself ❤
Great video, very informative. Just got my first BMW in may of 21' ( 2015 328i ) and these kinds of videos are invaluable for people trying to avoid the dreaded big $$ repair bill. Keep up the great vids!
Great so far. I've put 25k miles on it from the 50k it had when I bought it.Changed the plugs at 60k, just got brake fluid swap and new rear pads at 75k, no oil leaking, no coolant leaks. It's been as reliable as anything else I've had, and I've had over 20 different cars. What's most impressive is how solid everything feels. No rattles, no squeaks, just feels tight and runs great. I'm sure around 100k I'm gonna need an alternator and stuff like that will start going out, but it's paid off so it's worth it to repair because I really just enjoy driving the car.
You guys are awesome! Thank you for the N20 videos
Thank you for watching JP
Thank you FCP Euro for another amazing video. I just used your 8HP transmission service video for my car and it was extremely helpful and made the whole process very easy. I've got a 2014 328i XDrive with 114,000 mi and I've had zero issues Even the timing chain is still silent. The only things I've ever replaced are the brakes once, tires, transmission oil, and oil changes.
Pay attention on oil housing and oil cooler gaskets
In 2013 I did the oil filter housing gasket and spark plugs on a 2008 BMW 128i. I just looked at CZcams videos all day until I was bold enough to take the challenge on myself.
ONLY thing I was not prepared for was when I removing the oil filter housing gasket was the oil that came out. Definitely a learning experience.
Very Thankful for FCP Euro and its staff who put out these videos that really help us BMW owners. Love Gareth for sure!! Grateful!!
Our pleasure! Glad you like them!
Best resource on CZcams! I was looking for a used 2013-15 328 with less than 125,000kms but I'm completely turned off after watching this.With so many issues and potential failure points I don't trust the dealer to address these issues while under a Pre Owned Certified warranty and will pawn the cost on me as soon as it coincidentally "needs to be fixed now sir!" a month after the warranty runs out....No thanks!I know someone that worked as a service consultant for BMW.He quit because of the yearly employee bonuses were being tied to not let any car leave without a minimum $1000 bill... patch it until the warranty runs out.
Appreciate this video. Keep up the awesome work…. I will be ordering more parts soon.
I am just about to buy a 2014 BMW x3 and this is just gold, thanks for all that knowledge
how has it been?
Thanks so much guys! Great video!
Super informative video, thanks!!
This was a perfect video. I’m upping my mechanical abilities using your hard earned experience.
That is what it is all about!
Awesome information! Could you guys do a DIY on changing the camshaft position sensor?
just want to say once again, thank you fcp euro for the helpful videos! i just did my n26's valve cover gasket yesterday and it was a success thanks to this video! also i want to say to someone who attemps to do this, make sure you dont remove the wrong vaccume pump screws like i did which were 6 t30's, theres should be 3, t40 bolts in the back on the vaccuume pump dont remove the t30 bolts!
Glad you found it helpful, even through the hiccups
@@fcpeuro Hey that’s the same car I have!! One thing I gota to say is I just recently got it with 95k miles. What is the first thing for maintenance you recommend me to get checked? I gotta say BMW is not an easy car to have
I just ordered my timing kit from u guys couple weeks ago..
Another thing you guys missed is the vacuum pump. If there is oil in the brake booster line or the vacuum reservoir, the vacuum pump is faulty.
Excelent video! Thanks.
Awesome show 👏... You are always very knowledgeable and informative !!
ya this guy is a gangster of car mechanics ))
Thank you for the video guys, I wish you had a shop here in ny.
Thanks so much for this VERY informative and helpful video. Just two questions: You mentioned at least two quite important subsequent upgrades which BMW did (such as the "feed line" within the turbo)- Can you tell us which manufacturing year these were implemented? Also, it seems there is no significant difference in reliability between the N20 and N26, correct? THANKS!
Very informative video. Thank you very much.
Awesome, thanks for posting 👍
Your videos are great man, I’ve learned so much from you 🙏🏼 Thank you.
Glad you like them; thank you for watching!
great info as always
Frequent oil changes are great but that'll not stop wear on the chain. Simply can't.
PS just completed 13000 km trip around Australia in my 125i with N20. Changed oil, air/cabin filters right before and right after. Did not miss a beat.
I love my N20 engine, easiest engine I worked on 💪🏽
This is an amazing video
GREAT channel
Appreciate the information
Staring at your shirt and at about minute 9 it finally occurs to me what I'm looking at.
I’m waiting my 428i to arrive.
Thanks for getting me “excited” about it lol
Great video. I just had to replace the turbo on my 2014 328i drive. They also changed the oil filter housing gasket, and after watching your video I am glad I did. My car has 260k kms on it. The timing chain seems fine still, and I am going to do spark plugs when the weather gets warmer. I will definitely take your advice and shorten the oil change interval from 15k kms to 10k kms.
did your turbo quit? what were the symptoms of a bad turbo? 260k is well broken in lol. kinda makes one wonder about changing the oil earlier than bmw recommendaton. i have ax x1 and change the oil at 10K . I have 280k on mine. I have a waste gate rattle on my turbo, but otherwise it runs great and I like the car.
Yup i made the mistake of breaking the engine cover. Had to replace the whole thing. At 160k kms rn. Did timing chain for peace of mind, just changed i injectors and spark plugs, and did oil filter housing gasket. No other issues yet everything has been fine.
Great vid thank you greetz from holland
Hej man, would be great to talk about the b48, thanks!
Thank you guys, good video , very we’ll explained .
Thank you for watching!
I bought a 2015 328 GT lease return with 20k miles a few years ago. It has been an excellent car--just starting to get in to some maintenance items other than oil changes. Did the belt and tensioner, have the plugs and coils on order. Planning on doing the ZF trans svc and diffs as well. Only 50k miles now, but recently retired so want it to last trouble-free as long as possible.
Excellent!!
10/10. Great video.
Absolutely amazing. Can you do it for the B48 engine or even the 330e? Lots of ex fleet cars on the market now.
I just went out and punched my F33 after watching this video. 😯 Seriously.. Great information, thanks!
I've made it to 130k miles original timing belt with a stage one tune. Always used liquid moly ceretec and 6k mile oil changees
2013 320i xdrive 200k+ miles only repair done oil housing gasket what a beast engine. Thank you for all the knowledge shared here.
Hi Bryan,
I have the same engine. Do you run it stock power or with some boost modification?
Stock levels since is my daily oil changes no longer than 5k air filter every other oil change, plugs at 50k. Valve cover needs replacement since oil separators gets clogged causing crankase pressure issues inspect your oil housing and oil cooler gaskets is a must when they start leaking
@@bmwforlifebulgaria4424 another thing keep fuel system clean only premium gas and fuel system cleaner I do it every other oil change
@@bryandiaz3108 Thanks a lot for the advices!
@@bmwforlifebulgaria4424 no problem
Amazing video to watch as I'm preparing buying a second hand F30 either this year or early next year
Good luck on your search!
Appreciate a lot these videos and your work. Thanks!!! 👏🏽🙌🏽
F31 328i xD '14
Glad you like them!
Thanks so much for very informative video. I have used Nates video to do my timing chain, and it was very successful, thanks for that.
I have a huge noise coming out of the valve cover, more precisely in the little box. It sounds like a engine knock. Can you please tell me what could this be.
Thanks
Douglas
This is soooooo helpful. I wish I had seen this video years ago. I now am due to change my timing chain on my 2014 BMW 320i. The job cost 4K. Idk what to do lol
no doubt I'm going to be an fcp euro shopper, LOVE THE CONTENT!
Top class, On point and densely packed video, And Hence a subscription is a must at this point.
Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@fcpeuro Cant help but to enjoy every minute of it, much appreciation and gratefulness', Thank u
I have a March 2015 build 2015 BMW 328i xdrive (apparently ok for the timing chain bits as that was the cutoff time...). Although I do have new spark plugs and Eldor coils on standby as I’m at 81,xxx KM, I’ve only had to replace a slightly leaking fuel injector, front shock (most likely succumbed to a pothole lol), battery (yay Costco AGM!) and an axle seal for my drivers side this weekend. Oh and rear brakes and wear sensor. Bought it at 61,xxx KM and I’m still very happy with it. Knew there is typically more maintenance on luxury vehicles. All in all an amazing car (8 speed auto) with great acceleration numbers and the fact that I can get 5.8-6.0L/100KM or virtually 40MPG on the highway at the 110KM/HR over multiple hours of varied elevations at the speed limit at around 0* Celsius is awesome.
Greetings Gareth...thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, it is very helpful...I have a question about oil additives, I use ceratec in every oil change, is it ok to continue doing it? And when should mos2 be used? Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you Question will it be possible a DIY video on flush or the clutch fluid on manual transmission N20 228i
I had just replaced my Valve cover gasket (2014 X1 2.8 s) to find out days later that it was still leaking oil, come to find out there was a crack on the cover itself! So I bought a whole cover from the dealer $617! It was super easy changing it the 2nd time. Now I can do Valve cover gasket in a jiffy :).
😄
Thanks for the video.
Is it possible to replace the vacuum pump seal along, without detaching the valve cover?
Our local BMW dealer said that replacing the seal must be done along with the cylinder cover detaching.
I have a F10 with N20 engine you are explaining in the video.
Please show me a tip for this.
Thanks in advance.
Enjoyed the video, 2013 power train malfunction it comes on at lower driving speed, could it
Be the wheel speed sensor? Need help !!
Thanks for the video, it was very informative... I do have to Say, I wish I had bought a Honda.... I have less than 70K, and have replaced the Alternator at about 55K, the Battery, two Belt Tensioners, numerous serpentine Belts... Had 4 Oil Leaks, 5 Coolant leaks, Battery drain issue which took weeks to find. It was the IBS. now it runs Hot.... new thermostat and Water Pump Coming... BMW uses the worst plastics and Rubber... Had I bought a Honda, the only thing I would have had to do, is probably Change the Oil, tires, and maybe Brakes.
I do have a Love/Hate relationship with this car... when its running correctly it drives so nice... But lately all I have been doing is fixing Leak after leak, and Electrical issues...
This is the Last German car I will ever own!
This video changed my life. I gotta change the valve cover gasket I got a leak on my 3 series f30.
Did it go away?
@@pasiutrial i payed for it to be fixed at the shop.
Hey Great Video. What Additive did you say to add to your Oil?
Good video. I purchased the valves cover gasket from you guys and ready to replace it soon. It arrived fast and on time. Thanks. Just need a little bit of idea that, my idle issue. When I crusing on the road. The RPM will drop down to 1100rom. When I want to accelerate the car. The sounds like accelerate from the wrong gear. I was thinking, is it the coil issue or fuel pump issue or something else? When I use manual shift gears. There is no problem, because the rpm stay higher. Just need some light. Thanks
I just replaced my timing chain on my 2014 bmw 328i xdrive n26 engine. Everything went well, and I drove the car a little while seemed to run great no issues then when I was coming to a stop the front left of my car made a screech sound and it turned off and now wont start any ideas? Would help alot.
Hello, I recently replaced the timing chain and crankshaft reluctor ring on my n26. The car starts but with zero throttle response. No fault codes register when scanned. Please give me a tip about how to solve the issue. Thanks.
Great video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I got a 2012 328i. Very early February of 2012 car.
Im not going to sleep tonight, or ever again as long as i own that car.
I got April 2012, I have changed the chain once. I had the same feeling back then.
Been searching thr web for a full break down on how to maintaine the "N20" engine and I happen to land on this GOLD MINE! Outstanding video as always guys, very informative and keep up the astonishing work. 🤘🏾 Everytime I push that start button I can never tell if the chain is creating excessive noise or if it's just the direct injection valves opening and closing. Even after watching your short demo clip. I got the 2016 ix M sport with about 50,000kms, upon start up the engine is quite noisy... As stated it's unclear if it's the chain or the DI however after about 30sec the rpms falls below 1k and the noise is completely gone. Some say it sounds like a "dying cat or supercharger" when you rev an engine with chain problems but I'm not getting that sound. Would love your 2 cents in this. Much love from Canada! 😎
Yeah the whine is very very noticeable
Hi Gareth, what brands of additives and engine oil do you recommend for 2016 BMW 328i xDrive N26? Thanks.
Hello i have a 320i f30 2013, timing chain was replaced in 2019 and its only done less than 15k miles now and its making a whining noise when accelerating or revving the engine, what could be causing this sound, could it be the timing chain, or something else :o
Great video!
I had a ruptured breather diaphragm that was causing a squealing noise. Was able to replace it without the entire valve cover - $50 and 10 minutes.
The turbo oil feed update was to fix blue smoke on startup after sitting for a few days. I had this issue (embarrassing) and the updated line solved it. The electronic wastegate actuator also failed, which I replaced at the same time.
I am at 110K miles and otherwise (knock on wood) it's been a very reliable car. Still paranoid because of the timing chain issue and pending failure...
Nice work, James!
135k miles on my n20 so far so good oil change every 4-5k
Hi, do you have any maintenance videos for the F30 F31 B46 SULEV engine?
I would like to know, does the N20 Engine have a defect in itself that causes these problems with the timing chain?
Is it ok to dismantle and clean the vanos solenoids of this engine to treat rough idle and misfire after checking everything else and making sure it’s running ok?
Took my 13 328i xdrive to the dealer since I believe the noise is from the timing chains and was told that it isn’t. Kinda odd since it sounds just like the short video you posted. Just rolled over 89,000 miles.
Do you guys recommend using liqui moly engine flush before the oil change? Or is Ceratec and 5000miles oil (Motul 300V 5w40) change enough?
Any feedback regarding Liqui Moly pro-line fuel cleaner?
Thank you for this awsome tutorial. Very helpful.
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I am from Recife a city in Brazil, South America, and I really like FCPeuro, and their videos, they are always very important for the community and awesome.!!!
Used to have a 18/18 m sport bmw 320i
then I had a 20/20 M sport 330i bmw,
Now I own an 20/20 blue X3MC with an S58 engine in it...
Dude please do a b48/46 engine I’m struggling to take apart these valve gaskets
Anyone know what mishimoto radiator fits a 2012 528i I want to fully build the 528i with upgrades internals heads included
Great video N52 had almost 40% of those issues. N20/26 plastics engine parts and accessories disgusts me like BMW won’t learn from the past. Please make a video for the N55. Thanks
They actually learned from the past. How to charge more money for parts and make people buy new cars.
I wish! ;-) I've got 400,000 miles behind N52s. Leaking oil filter housing, valve covers, oil pans, vanos solenoid, etc... almost all the same issues other than the turbo. My wife just totaled our 2011 X3 sport package, just decided I'm going to bite-the-bullet and replace it w/ a 2017 Xdrive2.8i MSport. Guess I'm a sucker for punishment!!
When did BMW update the high pressure fuel pump?
Are the N20 and N26 valve covers different?
So I just recently put on an FTP turbo inlet to intercooler pipe on my 328i n26, first day drive no engine light, second day engine light came on while driving to go get some snacks, came back scanned it only code popped up was P0172 Bank 1 running rich, I cleaned map, and maf sensors, also checked the air box filter which looked not dirty, what could be the problem? or would I have to do more test? What would be the main cause ?
any love for the timing chain issue in Canada? I've called around but no one wants to do anything until there is an official recall...
Bit of an odd one here in the UK. My BMW 125i has the n20 fitted. i was driving las weekend and all of a sudden it skipped into neutral and lost engine power. coasted to a field entrance and turned the car off. started it back up and it was locked in park. tried to start then engine and i a got an ignition/starter fault. I got it recovered and was told that the engine turned over slowly with a new battery and jump pack connected and that the chain may have stretched and slipped a tooth or 2 causing issues with the fuel timing. I had it serviced last June and had no issues reported then and also no warning signs, no cam chain rattle, no knocks/bangs. Looking through the oil filler housing i can see the timing chain and it didn't appear to be slack or damaged in any way. I have it at a BMW specialist at the moment and he has advised the cam cover be removed for further inspection. just a waiting game now. Does any of this jump out to you guys as to my issue? Thanks in advance for any help/advice
Great information here, tnx for this upload 👍. My 428i grand coupe has been performing very good on it's 50k , a bit concerned with a humming noise @ start up but once it reaches operating temp it stops and not to be heard again until next cold start.
Same here
That’s prolly the the oil pump. BMWs always make noise like that since it’s all performance. Mines does the same mainly from stop to go 2nd gear to 3rd and completely goes away after that.
Have you find a way to fix the westgate rattle on ewg?
Ive never found a clear answer, Since the N20 is basically just an N55 with 2 less cylinders do these need walnut blasting? Im at 107k miles and still driving fine.. I have a little oil pump wine im monitoring but ive always wondered about carbon buildup on the N20.
N20 528i. Can I use Bosch 8165 for the ignition plug? Instead, I'm going to do the replacement at 30,000km.
Hello I have 2016 bmw 528i,white smoke coming from engine bay under the heat shield, smell like burning oil, but I recently replace my head gasket, I bought the kit from you guys.. I have the same problems before. I thought replacing the head gaskets will solve the problems.. I check my engine after driving from to home, I seen the smoke coming under the heat shield from passenger side, kindly help what could the issue of the white smoke🥹
If I have a 2015+ but still get that startup should I be worried?
Im gonna buy a e89 with the n20
I really hope it will be a good buy