2013 X3 limp mode, timing chain, then new motor

richtree · 12-04-2023, 11:09 AM

Hey all I have a 2013 X3 (4cly.)

Brought about 2 months ago to the repair shop.

Then told me 1800 to repair the "limp mode"

but after repair I need to have the timing chain assessed ... as this is a temp fix...and needs another 3k+ repair....

I drove it home and it sat there for 2 weeks, updon trying to turn on again it went back into limp mode...

All i did is drive it back to repair shop 1 mile away ------

They quoted we 3000k (roughlY) to repair the timing chain and they needed to change the gears....

After all this I waiting a month and now they tell me it won't go back on timing and I need a new motor....

How do i pay for any of this repair ? --- the car is worthless now and undriveable and there is no way I will shell out 7k for a new motor...

What do you guys thinK ? if it matter i am not orginal owner...

thanks

rt

Opie55 · 12-04-2023, 12:05 PM

You don't say what "the repair shop" is. I would not have that job done by a place that has not done it before. You have to have special tools to do it and hold the cams and timing in place. So my first question is whether you took it to a competent place.

richtree · 12-04-2023, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

You don't say what "the repair shop" is. I would not have that job done by a place that has not done it before. You have to have special tools to do it and hold the cams and timing in place. So my first question is whether you took it to a competent place.

I took to the only BMW speciality repair place in my area that focuses on BMWs

Opie55 · 12-05-2023, 10:25 AM

In that case I'm not sure what to say beyond ask them in detail why it won't go into time since the parts that control it have been replaced. 2013s are notorious for the bad timing chain guides, and many owners have had their engines fail when the guides suddenly break. Sounds like you got to it before that happened. How many miles on the car?

richtree · 12-05-2023, 07:13 PM

80k --- how is one to really know if they got to it at the right time....

this is changing my life horribly --- from trading in the car for a few thousand to have to pay for a repair and get no car --- that is impossible....

I now have two handicapped kids and was using it to get a minivan --- this is really , really horrible

Opie55 · 12-05-2023, 10:02 PM

Having a used engine installed is an option, but that does not help with the repair they want you to pay for.

BohMotorWorks · 12-06-2023, 07:00 PM

I would also wonder what you got for the 1800$ you spend. Maybe you could elaborate but it does not sound like that money was well spent, and I would be hesitant to spend anymore money at that shop.

Story does not make much sense, I would be careful to your next step, and take the advice of maybe someone else local, maybe you have a friend that's more mechanical than yourself who can talk to the shop.

richtree · 02-05-2024, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

Having a used engine installed is an option, but that does not help with the repair they want you to pay for.

This is a thought -- is there a place for used engines that are good to purchase from ?

also, what is avg. cost of engine replacement...

Opie55 · 02-06-2024, 08:42 AM

First, find a place willing to install a used engine. Ask them how much for labor. Then ask if they have a source for used engines. Many indy shops install used parts and use a certain network of wrecking yards. If they tell you to get the engine, try this site.

https://www.car-part.com/

Look for a low mileage engine from a 2015 or newer so you don't have the same issue (make sure it's fully compatible). Have it shipped to the shop.

Opie55 · 02-06-2024, 08:48 AM

Dang, I just searched. Most have over 100,00 miles, few as low as 75,000, and they are mostly from like $3,800 to $4,500. More than I thought.

micco · 02-08-2024, 09:16 PM

Just a thought as i just went through a similar exp with my 2013 n20.
Ask if its throwing the valvetronic motor error, b/c if its stuck the valves can remain open and yield little to no compression. This might make them think its out of time.
If they were confident enough to change the chain, oil sprocket, guides etc, they should know about the cam locking and ensuring the motor is at TDC.

Sorry to hear you're going through this mess.

12-04-2023, 11:09 AM	#1
richtree New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: x3 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	2013 X3 limp mode, timing chain, then new motor Hey all I have a 2013 X3 (4cly.) Brought about 2 months ago to the repair shop. Then told me 1800 to repair the "limp mode" but after repair I need to have the timing chain assessed ... as this is a temp fix...and needs another 3k+ repair.... I drove it home and it sat there for 2 weeks, updon trying to turn on again it went back into limp mode... All i did is drive it back to repair shop 1 mile away ------ They quoted we 3000k (roughlY) to repair the timing chain and they needed to change the gears.... After all this I waiting a month and now they tell me it won't go back on timing and I need a new motor.... How do i pay for any of this repair ? --- the car is worthless now and undriveable and there is no way I will shell out 7k for a new motor... What do you guys thinK ? if it matter i am not orginal owner... thanks rt
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12-04-2023, 12:05 PM	#2
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	You don't say what "the repair shop" is. I would not have that job done by a place that has not done it before. You have to have special tools to do it and hold the cams and timing in place. So my first question is whether you took it to a competent place.
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12-05-2023, 10:25 AM	#4
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	In that case I'm not sure what to say beyond ask them in detail why it won't go into time since the parts that control it have been replaced. 2013s are notorious for the bad timing chain guides, and many owners have had their engines fail when the guides suddenly break. Sounds like you got to it before that happened. How many miles on the car?
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12-05-2023, 07:13 PM	#5
richtree New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: x3 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	80k --- how is one to really know if they got to it at the right time.... this is changing my life horribly --- from trading in the car for a few thousand to have to pay for a repair and get no car --- that is impossible.... I now have two handicapped kids and was using it to get a minivan --- this is really , really horrible
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12-05-2023, 10:02 PM	#6
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Having a used engine installed is an option, but that does not help with the repair they want you to pay for.
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12-06-2023, 07:00 PM	#7
BohMotorWorks New Member 3 Rep 10 Posts Drives: X5(E53) & X3(F25) Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Freedom, USA iTrader: (0)	I would also wonder what you got for the 1800$ you spend. Maybe you could elaborate but it does not sound like that money was well spent, and I would be hesitant to spend anymore money at that shop. Story does not make much sense, I would be careful to your next step, and take the advice of maybe someone else local, maybe you have a friend that's more mechanical than yourself who can talk to the shop.
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02-06-2024, 08:42 AM	#9
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	First, find a place willing to install a used engine. Ask them how much for labor. Then ask if they have a source for used engines. Many indy shops install used parts and use a certain network of wrecking yards. If they tell you to get the engine, try this site. https://www.car-part.com/ Look for a low mileage engine from a 2015 or newer so you don't have the same issue (make sure it's fully compatible). Have it shipped to the shop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-06-2024, 08:48 AM	#10
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Dang, I just searched. Most have over 100,00 miles, few as low as 75,000, and they are mostly from like $3,800 to $4,500. More than I thought.
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02-08-2024, 09:16 PM	#11
micco New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X3 f25 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Just a thought as i just went through a similar exp with my 2013 n20. Ask if its throwing the valvetronic motor error, b/c if its stuck the valves can remain open and yield little to no compression. This might make them think its out of time. If they were confident enough to change the chain, oil sprocket, guides etc, they should know about the cam locking and ensuring the motor is at TDC. Sorry to hear you're going through this mess.
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