That car is so rusty one would think it was submerged in the ocean for quite a while....What a disaster...Quebec weather does not help either! Keep up the GREAT work!
100% agree the diagnosis was very accurate but after seeing the tensioner and alternator seized like it was then all of sudden the crankshaft was free I was like it was them damn accessories! saving some money though absolutley loving this rebuild thank you!
I have a 2013 328 /N20 with 217k miles.. i have the chain kit but its still going strong without issues. I'll do the chain at 250k miles. no oil consumption yet. I drive it hard S2 tune intercooler all the works.. His videos are top notch hands down
Brilliant, thanks so much! Clear and thorough explanations, every step documented and filmed. Nice edit, well lit. I really like this setup! Regarding the failure, it baffels me how dirty and corroded the engine (and car) is. It looks like the car was standing still for a long time before you got it? I mean, the alternator would not locked up like that while running…? A mystery indeed. Very well done though, looking forward to the rest!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you! The car was only sitting for about 2 months before I got it. As for the alternator seizing while driving, I think it’s possible. No way to know for sure, but I’ve had a water pump seize on me while driving and it caused a no start because the motor couldn’t turn over.
Great job. Gives me some insight for when I get the engine out of my 2012 750Xi with a bad knock, diagnosis in bad connector rod bearing, low compression and less piston travel then all the other cylinders.
Super, just fixed an n20 engine. Barely a week ago. Crank no start. The guides were completely broken and in the oil pan. Which was the beginning of the end. Cranked right up after putting everything together. Check the pcv valve.
Absolutely great. This is crazy. Same exact situation to a tee with my n63. Hopefully soon I’ll know exactly the reason. I agree that the other components that are clearly toast could’ve caused this. As well as the heavy heavy leaking oil all over accessories for long periods of time. Good luck with part 3 I can’t wait.
thank you so much for these videos i cannot wait for part 3. i looked and looked and your videos on the work alone are they are the most descriptive and helpfull on all of youtube
Thank you so much for these series of n20 videos. I’m taking apart a seized n20 from a 428i but took engine out of top with the torque converter attached …it is possible! With the rebuild would you recommend renewing the oil pump/ balance shaft assembly on rebuild ? Fantastic video!
Prime example why you should always take any accessory’s driven by the belt out of the equation before declaring a seized motor. I would be extremely furious if I tore down an engine this far all because of a frozen pulley somewhere in the chain. This motor while it looks neglected, it looks like a simple timing job would’ve had this thing running like new.
@@bimmer.doctor right on my man! Btw you have a new subscriber. Just finished watching the entire N20 series and it was great. I don’t even have a bmw😂 I’m team Volkswagen but maybe soon I’ll be switching to the X3 M40i😮💨.
Disassemble the alternator and look for melted bearings and shorted windings / stator; that would explain the loss of electrical power (vehicle shutting off) and the seized engine (seized alternator bearings)
Great video and, having grown up in Montreal, I can well remember the nasty things road salt can do to fasteners and exposed aluminum parts. I agree with your suggestion that the seized alternator was the likely cause of the original breakdown but what's the relationship to the damaged timing chain guides? Was the car running with the slack in the chain before the alternator seized?
Honestly I think they were unrelated in this case. If I had unseized the alternator i’m sure the car would have started up. The problem is I had assumed the worst when I saw the damaged guides because those usually lead to engine failure.
I believe you're right. I think the alternator seized up on that engine. I'm actually building my first BMW N20. It's an X1 E84 chassis. It blew a head gasket and actually burned completely through the head gasket and burned a spot on the cylinder head and blew a piece of aluminum off the block in between cylinders 1 and 2. Well a machine shop engine restoration business down the road from me decked my cylinder head it looks new, and now he has my block and said he can tig weld that with no problem at all for 250 bucks and it'll be like new and I was just wondering when he hones the cylinders will I be able to use my new Mahle piston rings with no issues? I've cleaned up my pistons and they are good to go. I was just concerned whether or not I could install my new rings and use them with no problem? By the way current piston rings looked to be in bad shape.
BTW, I bought the car kind of like you did this one. And it had a check engine light and I ran a scan and thought no big deal it says thermostat i can do that no worries. So I did, then the next day it went into limp mode and would not allow me to drive the vehicle at even a slow speed. It stalled completely out I had to get a wrecker and when I tore it apart thats obviously when I noticed the damage upon the head removal ...The piece of aluminum that came off up top in between cylinders 1 and 2 was a small piece nevertheless a complete loss until I talked to this machinest engine restoration company and he says he welds 18 wheeler engines amongst other engines all of the time and it blew my mind he says he could fix it. I obviously sent him a pic of the damage before taking it down there and when he saw the pic he says bring it on I'll do it for 250 and you won't have no issues out of it. The car is for my gf and I told him she likes to drive fast and would be using the car as a daily driver and he says yeah no problem man. Lol so I figured I'd roll the dice on it since he did such superb work on the cylinder head. Its been a lot of work because I'm used to working on Dodge Chevy and Ford's. This BMW has really been a learning experience by ordering special tools etc...great channel by the way, your videos have made my job easier that's for sure.
Thank you! The good news is that Part 3 is going to be posted in a couple of days. I talk all about pistons, rings and the whole engine build. A lot of detail that I think you will find really helpful! I’m glad you like the channel.
@@bimmer.doctor I'll keep an eye out for it. Appreciate the response on the comments because this has been overwhelming but I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. 😂
Timing chain guide carnage actually doesn't have to be normal for these (and other BMW) engines. The wrong type of plastic used in earlier guides along with the extended oil change interval turning the oil into a grinding paste made them fail like clockwork. Use later style guides, change the oil at a sensible frequency and these guides last a long time.
Absolutely! But in these early cars they are always bad… I think originally they were saying 15,000 mile oil change intervals, paired with the bad construction of the guides and you get what we see here.
hi buddy i have the same f30 328i ,but mine only broke the piston rings, it doesn't build up compression..do i need to take out the engine or what's your advice to fix it easy and smart???
Thank you for making these videos on the n20. I have a 2013 328xi that has a bad rod knock and needs to be rebuilt as well and your videos are exactly the reference and instructions I needed! You did a great job in all of these videos and is much appreciated! I’d like to buy the same scissor lift from noblelift and am wondering which size you are using, the 24” x 48” or the smaller size? I also would like to order the same chra to rebuild my turbo as well and am wondering where you found yours to purchase from?
Glad you like them! I have the 24x48 table. Honestly even that is a bit small sometimes. There’s a lot of weight that overhangs the edge which you’re not supposed to do, but i’ve done everything from the 4 cylinder N20s to V8 N63s out of an X5 and I’ve always managed to make it work!
I have a 2015 bmw n20 engine and I replace 4 injector I did the injector coding now I have a crank no start I check spark ok check fuel ok I have low compression 1-3-4 90 psi number 2 119 psi any tips in to what can cause that car was running
I’ve just seen more of them collapsed than any other brands, but that’s just my own personal experience. The OE Mann filter is so cheap that I don’t see any reason to use anything else.
That car is so rusty one would think it was submerged in the ocean for quite a while....What a disaster...Quebec weather does not help either! Keep up the GREAT work!
100% agree the diagnosis was very accurate but after seeing the tensioner and alternator seized like it was then all of sudden the crankshaft was free I was like it was them damn accessories! saving some money though absolutley loving this rebuild thank you!
"Lifetime" fluids at best again :)
This is the greatest video on the N20 I have ever seen in my life. Thank you 🙏🏼
I have a 2013 328 /N20 with 217k miles.. i have the chain kit but its still going strong without issues. I'll do the chain at 250k miles. no oil consumption yet. I drive it hard S2 tune intercooler all the works..
His videos are top notch hands down
Mate what you are doing is extremely valuable, thank you for this series!
Brilliant, thanks so much! Clear and thorough explanations, every step documented and filmed. Nice edit, well lit. I really like this setup! Regarding the failure, it baffels me how dirty and corroded the engine (and car) is. It looks like the car was standing still for a long time before you got it? I mean, the alternator would not locked up like that while running…? A mystery indeed. Very well done though, looking forward to the rest!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
The car was only sitting for about 2 months before I got it. As for the alternator seizing while driving, I think it’s possible. No way to know for sure, but I’ve had a water pump seize on me while driving and it caused a no start because the motor couldn’t turn over.
I also think it was the seized alternator. Keep up the good work!
This is so well presented - perfectly lit, explained and paced. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Best video out there on this motor. Can’t wait for the reassemble video!
Great job. Gives me some insight for when I get the engine out of my 2012 750Xi with a bad knock, diagnosis in bad connector rod bearing, low compression and less piston travel then all the other cylinders.
Super, just fixed an n20 engine. Barely a week ago. Crank no start. The guides were completely broken and in the oil pan. Which was the beginning of the end. Cranked right up after putting everything together. Check the pcv valve.
Thanks for this detailed DIY guide. Keep doing. Bon courage !
Absolutely great. This is crazy. Same exact situation to a tee with my n63. Hopefully soon I’ll know exactly the reason. I agree that the other components that are clearly toast could’ve caused this. As well as the heavy heavy leaking oil all over accessories for long periods of time. Good luck with part 3 I can’t wait.
Thanks James, looking forward to figuring it out with you!
Thank you for the bolt and nut sizes.
Great job can not wait for the reassemble video
Great job
The best.
Nothing but the very best
thank you so much for these videos i cannot wait for part 3. i looked and looked and your videos on the work alone are they are the most descriptive and helpfull on all of youtube
Gran gran video....muchas gracias por compartir tu trabajo...un saludote desde madrid,España, Europa.marcos
Excellent video. Keep these coming please!
Was the vehicle operated in a salt mine 😂
I also say myself "They took this vehicle on the beach or the salt flats" small world brother.
I think the accessory had seized causing the engine not to rotate. Should have cut the belt and then tried to rotate
Thank you so much for these series of n20 videos. I’m taking apart a seized n20 from a 428i but took engine out of top with the torque converter attached …it is possible! With the rebuild would you recommend renewing the oil pump/ balance shaft assembly on rebuild ? Fantastic video!
Superb video as always
Prime example why you should always take any accessory’s driven by the belt out of the equation before declaring a seized motor. I would be extremely furious if I tore down an engine this far all because of a frozen pulley somewhere in the chain. This motor while it looks neglected, it looks like a simple timing job would’ve had this thing running like new.
Absolutely. You know what they say, the best lessons are the ones learnt on your own skin... This is one I don't think I'll forget.
@@bimmer.doctor right on my man! Btw you have a new subscriber. Just finished watching the entire N20 series and it was great. I don’t even have a bmw😂 I’m team Volkswagen but maybe soon I’ll be switching to the X3 M40i😮💨.
Disassemble the alternator and look for melted bearings and shorted windings / stator; that would explain the loss of electrical power (vehicle shutting off) and the seized engine (seized alternator bearings)
Great video and, having grown up in Montreal, I can well remember the nasty things road salt can do to fasteners and exposed aluminum parts. I agree with your suggestion that the seized alternator was the likely cause of the original breakdown but what's the relationship to the damaged timing chain guides? Was the car running with the slack in the chain before the alternator seized?
Honestly I think they were unrelated in this case. If I had unseized the alternator i’m sure the car would have started up. The problem is I had assumed the worst when I saw the damaged guides because those usually lead to engine failure.
I believe you're right. I think the alternator seized up on that engine. I'm actually building my first BMW N20. It's an X1 E84 chassis. It blew a head gasket and actually burned completely through the head gasket and burned a spot on the cylinder head and blew a piece of aluminum off the block in between cylinders 1 and 2. Well a machine shop engine restoration business down the road from me decked my cylinder head it looks new, and now he has my block and said he can tig weld that with no problem at all for 250 bucks and it'll be like new and I was just wondering when he hones the cylinders will I be able to use my new Mahle piston rings with no issues? I've cleaned up my pistons and they are good to go. I was just concerned whether or not I could install my new rings and use them with no problem? By the way current piston rings looked to be in bad shape.
BTW, I bought the car kind of like you did this one. And it had a check engine light and I ran a scan and thought no big deal it says thermostat i can do that no worries. So I did, then the next day it went into limp mode and would not allow me to drive the vehicle at even a slow speed. It stalled completely out I had to get a wrecker and when I tore it apart thats obviously when I noticed the damage upon the head removal ...The piece of aluminum that came off up top in between cylinders 1 and 2 was a small piece nevertheless a complete loss until I talked to this machinest engine restoration company and he says he welds 18 wheeler engines amongst other engines all of the time and it blew my mind he says he could fix it. I obviously sent him a pic of the damage before taking it down there and when he saw the pic he says bring it on I'll do it for 250 and you won't have no issues out of it. The car is for my gf and I told him she likes to drive fast and would be using the car as a daily driver and he says yeah no problem man. Lol so I figured I'd roll the dice on it since he did such superb work on the cylinder head. Its been a lot of work because I'm used to working on Dodge Chevy and Ford's. This BMW has really been a learning experience by ordering special tools etc...great channel by the way, your videos have made my job easier that's for sure.
Thank you! The good news is that Part 3 is going to be posted in a couple of days. I talk all about pistons, rings and the whole engine build. A lot of detail that I think you will find really helpful! I’m glad you like the channel.
@@bimmer.doctor I'll keep an eye out for it. Appreciate the response on the comments because this has been overwhelming but I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. 😂
Timing chain guide carnage actually doesn't have to be normal for these (and other BMW) engines. The wrong type of plastic used in earlier guides along with the extended oil change interval turning the oil into a grinding paste made them fail like clockwork. Use later style guides, change the oil at a sensible frequency and these guides last a long time.
Absolutely! But in these early cars they are always bad… I think originally they were saying 15,000 mile oil change intervals, paired with the bad construction of the guides and you get what we see here.
Excuse me , but why you didnt to open the torquconvertor bolt than bring out the transmission !!?
you have did a solid job
hi buddy i have the same f30 328i ,but mine only broke the piston rings, it doesn't build up compression..do i need to take out the engine or what's your advice to fix it easy and smart???
What about the balance shaft and oil pump🤔 did that rotate loosly🫣
Great and informativ video😉
Thank you! How’s the 150i build coming?
@@bimmer.doctor it’s been on hold for almost a year now, but i have a plan to get the projekt going again. 🫣
How can the engine not turn over when you manually tried to do so? Unless there is some bent rod or something similar?
Thank you for making these videos on the n20. I have a 2013 328xi that has a bad rod knock and needs to be rebuilt as well and your videos are exactly the reference and instructions I needed! You did a great job in all of these videos and is much appreciated! I’d like to buy the same scissor lift from noblelift and am wondering which size you are using, the 24” x 48” or the smaller size? I also would like to order the same chra to rebuild my turbo as well and am wondering where you found yours to purchase from?
Glad you like them! I have the 24x48 table. Honestly even that is a bit small sometimes. There’s a lot of weight that overhangs the edge which you’re not supposed to do, but i’ve done everything from the 4 cylinder N20s to V8 N63s out of an X5 and I’ve always managed to make it work!
I have a 2015 bmw n20 engine and I replace 4 injector I did the injector coding now I have a crank no start I check spark ok check fuel ok I have low compression 1-3-4 90 psi number 2 119 psi any tips in to what can cause that car was running
Curious why you don't like Wix filters on these cars? They're typically considered a quality aftermarket part
I’ve just seen more of them collapsed than any other brands, but that’s just my own personal experience. The OE Mann filter is so cheap that I don’t see any reason to use anything else.
I’m confused I thought when you turn a motor over by hand you take the belt off
what a mess. How did that get so corroded?
this thing looks flooded lol
i am really interested in the MILV system
I too am interested in the MILFS
Im watching him disconnect all those wires and thinking how in ths heck do you grt all that back the right way
Have you seen the N63 videos??😂
service manual ;)
100% that leak was the OFHG mine was leaking at let me tell you it gets BADDD
schmitty where u at?
miss you beloved
its been far too long
I miss him aswell. Feels different without him. Hope all is well Schmitt.
schmitt is in my prayers tonight.
Incredible job
Well done .. do u have instagram account