Slack in timing chain with engine off?

Opie55 · 03-02-2020, 11:09 AM

The new post about the stretched chain on a 2014 N20 reminds me to ask a question. If you remove the oil cap with the engine cold and off and reach your finger in there, is it normal to have a good amount of slack in the timing chain? Since I assume the tensioner is operated by oil pressure (?) I also assume that slack in the chain when the car is not running is not unusual, but I don't know for sure. Does anyone know, or is anyone with an N20 willing to reach their finger in there and report back? Mine has slack.

willywi · 03-02-2020, 11:16 AM

It's normal to have slack when engine is cold as long as you don't have any whining sound around 3k RPM you will be fine.

AX3 · 03-02-2020, 05:57 PM

That's how the garage found my bad chain. A lot of slack!!!

03-02-2020, 11:09 AM	#1
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,908 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Slack in timing chain with engine off? The new post about the stretched chain on a 2014 N20 reminds me to ask a question. If you remove the oil cap with the engine cold and off and reach your finger in there, is it normal to have a good amount of slack in the timing chain? Since I assume the tensioner is operated by oil pressure (?) I also assume that slack in the chain when the car is not running is not unusual, but I don't know for sure. Does anyone know, or is anyone with an N20 willing to reach their finger in there and report back? Mine has slack.
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03-02-2020, 11:16 AM	#2
willywi Second Lieutenant 86 Rep 232 Posts Drives: BMW x3, BMW x5 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	It's normal to have slack when engine is cold as long as you don't have any whining sound around 3k RPM you will be fine.
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03-02-2020, 05:57 PM	#3
AX3 Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 28i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Granby,CT iTrader: (0)	That's how the garage found my bad chain. A lot of slack!!!
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