BMW · Diesel
BMW N47 Timing Chain repair and rebuild
The BMW N47 diesel engine was fitted to huge numbers of 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series and X models sold in the UK between 2007 and 2015. It is smooth and economical, but it has a notorious weakness. The timing chain sits at the back of the engine and can stretch or snap, often with little warning. Because the chain is at the gearbox end, even a replacement is a labour heavy job, and a snapped chain usually destroys valves and pistons.
45+ years
Over four decades of hands on engine experience.
OEM parts
Original specification parts on every repair.
12 month warranty
Transferable if you sell the vehicle.
From £2,495
Fully repaired after failure, fixed quote.
How this engine fails
The classic symptom is a metallic rattle from the rear of the engine, most obvious on a cold start. Ignore it and the chain can jump or snap, bending valves and damaging the cylinder head. Many N47 engines arrive with us after a sudden failure on the motorway. The damage looks dramatic, but these engines are well understood and the majority can be rebuilt to a high standard.
Found in these UK models
How we put it right
We rebuild N47 engines with uprated OEM specification chains, guides and tensioners, along with new valves, bearings and gaskets where needed. The cylinder head is pressure tested and skimmed in our machine shop. You receive a video inspection of the dismantled engine, a photographic rebuild report and test certification. The 12 month warranty is transferable if you sell the car, which matters on a vehicle where buyers ask about the timing chain first.
- Fully repaired after failure from £2,495
- OEM parts on every repair
- Video inspection of the dismantled engine
- Photographic rebuild report and test certification
- 12 month warranty, transferable if you sell
Get a quote for your BMW
Tell us the model, the year and the symptoms. An engineer who knows this engine will come back with a fixed price.
Related reading
Before you decide on any repair, read our repair versus used engine guide and the guide to timing chain and belt failure causes. Both were written by the engineers who will work on your engine.
Other engines we repair
The process
How your engine gets rebuilt
Tell us what happened
Call or send the form and describe the symptoms. A rattle, smoke, a warning light or a complete failure. We will ask a few questions about the vehicle and give you an honest first view over the phone.
We collect the vehicle
Our collection service picks the vehicle up directly from your home, your workplace or your garage, anywhere in the UK. Non runners are no problem. Recovery to one of our workshops is all part of the service.
Strip down and video inspection
We dismantle the engine and record a video inspection of every component. You see exactly what failed and why before you spend a penny on parts. Then you approve a fixed written quote.
Rebuild with OEM parts
Our engineers rebuild the engine with OEM parts and photograph every stage. The photographic rebuild report becomes your record of the work and supports your warranty and the vehicle’s resale value.
Test certified and returned
Every rebuild is test certified before the engine leaves the workshop. We return the vehicle to your door with the report, the certification and a 12 month warranty that transfers to the next keeper.
Reviews
Five star rated by UK drivers
Five star rated engine repair and rebuild service
“The video of my stripped engine showed exactly why it failed. The rebuild was finished in a week and the car has been perfect since.”
“My Transit is my living. They collected it from my depot, rebuilt the EcoBlue and had me back working inside ten days.”
“Two garages told me to scrap the car or fit a used engine. Engine Repairs rebuilt it properly and the warranty transferred when I sold it.”