Timing chain snapped on a BMW 320d - what should I do?
I bought my BMW 320d from a dealer 9 months ago with 96,000 miles on the clock. I recently took the car to the BMW main dealer for its major service as it has a full BMW service history. The service was carried out at 111776 miles and on the healt check reported that the POLYVEE belt was cracked.
Therefore I took the car back to the gargage which it was purchased and paid for them to replace the belt. When the repairs had been done I immediately detected some vibration through the clutch pedal. Over the next 24 hours this vibration bacame much more noticable vibrating the entire car upon idling.
I returned the car to the garage to further investigate. I was told it was a couple of things but when the work was carried out was informed that the problem was not resolved. I was then told that the problem was the 'dual mass' which would need replacing, so I agreed to this work being done. The car had been in the gargage for 3 weeks at this point.
I then recieved a call telling me that whilst the car had been in the garage the timing chain had snapped causing extensive damage to the engine? Can anyone shed any light as to what could have happened here? Am I liable for the repair bill?
Therefore I took the car back to the gargage which it was purchased and paid for them to replace the belt. When the repairs had been done I immediately detected some vibration through the clutch pedal. Over the next 24 hours this vibration bacame much more noticable vibrating the entire car upon idling.
I returned the car to the garage to further investigate. I was told it was a couple of things but when the work was carried out was informed that the problem was not resolved. I was then told that the problem was the 'dual mass' which would need replacing, so I agreed to this work being done. The car had been in the gargage for 3 weeks at this point.
I then recieved a call telling me that whilst the car had been in the garage the timing chain had snapped causing extensive damage to the engine? Can anyone shed any light as to what could have happened here? Am I liable for the repair bill?
Asked on 7 June 2012 by AbcWarrior
Answered by
Honest John
The POLYVEE belt drives the ancillaries, like the alternator and a/c pump.
The dual mass flywheel is between the engine and the clutch. Very expensive. 111776 miles is a normal life for one.
But absolutely no reason why the timing chain should suddenly snap. It is oil sensitive, and they do fail in this engine. But because the engine would have to come out to replace the DMF, I wonder if they have substituted another engine with a broken timing chain for your engine with a good timing chain. This can be checked by checking the engine number against the engine number on your V5C 'logbook' for the car.
The dual mass flywheel is between the engine and the clutch. Very expensive. 111776 miles is a normal life for one.
But absolutely no reason why the timing chain should suddenly snap. It is oil sensitive, and they do fail in this engine. But because the engine would have to come out to replace the DMF, I wonder if they have substituted another engine with a broken timing chain for your engine with a good timing chain. This can be checked by checking the engine number against the engine number on your V5C 'logbook' for the car.
Tags:
belts and chains
timing chain
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