[Yanko]

Hi Everyone, let's see if you can help me with this as I am a bit worried.

In the morning, when cold start the engine vibrates and I can feel inside the car some shaking, as if someone was pushing the car from side to side or as if the combustion was not fine. I have also read about the timing chain issues in this model (specially in those built between 2007-09?). Can you appreciate some noise related to the timing chain in this video? Can you see the vibrations? Is this normal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95xDJfbByI

I think the vibration comes due to the low quality of the diesel, I always use tesco or esso stations as they are the closest to my place. Yesterday I added some mililiters of "Millers diesel power ecomax" and I already feel the car much smoother after driving 80 miles. I have just recorded another video Post-Millers, again cold start, and I have not noticed any vibrations!! See video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoJCbd3n3WA

What do you guys think? Can you hear any noise related to the timing chain? The car once running works absolutely fine, it is just the vibration and timing chain that worries me. Thanks for your help!

 

[sparkrace22]

Pretty sure you have nothing to worry about, engine seems fine.
I never ever use Tesco fuel, you only get what you pay for, and that includes less mileage and fuel additives.
The big plastic cover over the engines does tend to vibrate, if you take it off and stuff a bit of packing in the lug sockets it will help secure it, did that on my previous 2008 320d Msport E90, I had no issues whatsoever on my engine, just had regular oil changes every 12k miles, and never used supermarket fuel.

 

[Yanko]

Thanks sparkrace22 I think I am just a bit obsessed with all comments about the N47. I was considering extending the warranty but now with 64,000 miles on the clock BMW asks for £650-700. The car has been always serviced in BMW and I am doing oil changes as recommended by BMW (they use long-life oil from castrol I think). Is this an issue? Oil gets now changed every 7 months roughly as I drive quite a lot.

I have tried to take off that plastic cover but I can't. I cannot find any screws securing that cover. Surfing on the internet I have seen that this model (e90, 2010) does not have any and I just have to pull it up; but I can't, it does not come out. Any advice please?
Where did you get your fuel from? I am filling the tank up every week as I am currently doing 600-700 miles a week.
Thanks!

Pretty sure you have nothing to worry about, engine seems fine.
I never ever use Tesco fuel, you only get what you pay for, and that includes less mileage and fuel additives.
The big plastic cover over the engines does tend to vibrate, if you take it off and stuff a bit of packing in the lug sockets it will help secure it, did that on my previous 2008 320d Msport E90, I had no issues whatsoever on my engine, just had regular oil changes every 12k miles, and never used supermarket fuel.

 

[sparkrace22]

I use BP diesel, and have done many years, shell is excellent and the best.
To be honest stay away from supermarket stuff unless you really desperate.
There were no screws in my cover and there's none on my F30, you just grip it firmly and pull up, that's all I do.
Yes the BMW extended warranty is expensive but far the best, it also includes full breakdown cover including a car. Depends on your circumstances of course, but they can drop the amount paid by you adding a policy excess or you can pay for it monthly.
You could reduce it by not having breakdown cover, depends on your own circumstances.
Just gives full peace of mind.
I always have it once my included warranty expires, but that's me.
Like others have said in other forums, just keep good oil changes ongoing, forget what BMW say about leaving an oil change until 18k. Their oil is like water.
Your next big layout would be a turbo, so keep your oil clean and it lubricates moving parts, when you come to a standstill just let the engine tick over for a few extra mins so the turbo spools down.
Unfortunately BMW cars can be expensive to maintain,
Just enjoy your car, will only stress you out worrying!
Good luck

 

[Yanko]

Thanks for your time Sparkrace22 and your help, I will keep your advices in mind and move forward (change petrol station, try to remove the cover and make some numbers with the extended warranty). I always allow at least 2 minutes for the turbo to cool down after travelling.
Yes, you are right. Time to enjoy and not being worried about "what if..."
Thanks mate

 

[Linkpad]

I ran my old Remapped E46 320d on half a tank of Tesco once, got halfway down the M1 then had 1 of the injector rods snap, Diesel specialist who fixed it said stay the f*** away from supermarket diesel as its cack. I use BP ultimate or Shell Vpower and had no problems.

 

[Yanko]

Cheers Linkpad. I will do the same and hopefully avoid future issues!

 

[Yanko]

I ran my old Remapped E46 320d on half a tank of Tesco once, got halfway down the M1 then had 1 of the injector rods snap, Diesel specialist who fixed it said stay the f*** away from supermarket diesel as its cack. I use BP ultimate or Shell Vpower and had no problems.

Cheers Linkpad. I will do the same and hopefully avoid future issues!

 

[Yanko]

So, with this in mind can I ask for your opinion about my next move? As I said in the first post I used Millers Diesel Power EcoMax and the engine runs smoother. After your advices, I am going to swap to Shell or BP diesel. Would you keep using Millers until I finish the bottle I bought? I guess it will clean the injectors as it contains detergents?

If I understood correctly when reading on the internet, Millers add cetane to the diesel. If I use a premium diesel and add millers too, will I have too much cetane??!! Probably is a silly question but I dont know if that would be okay.

Or is it better using shell / BP standard diesel and add Millers every tank till I finish the bottle and then swap to premium diesel?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[sparkrace22]

I would prefer just to use decent diesel for a while, as I understand it you do big mileages, monitor the performance now to see if it improves.
Possibly the last owner used decent diesel, and you started using cheap supermarket stuff which seem to highlight a few issues, I think it will be fine after a few tank fulls have passed through the engine, how long you owned the car now?
Think the additive was to clean the engine up after the crap you put in.

Don't think it's necessary to use the premium grade diesel all the time, maybe every now & then, depends if your car runs better on it. I only use it occasionally but then my engine is only a youngster!

 

[Woody71]

Whilst my cars haven't been remapped, I've used supermarket and shell v power on both a 320d and 330d and can't tell any difference. Not convinced personally that supermarket fuel on a non remapped car is detrimental in moderate use.

 

[Yanko]

OK, will try premium diesel now without adding the additive and monitor performance. I will update performances in a few weeks time.
I bought the car in October 2014 from BMW approved used cars (the car was first registered in April 2010) and in 2015 I already told BMW that the car was shaking when cold and idle (the car had 1year warranty). They kept the car for 2 days, they told me the injectors were fine and they had cleaned the EGR, but the car kept doing it. Since I added Millers the car has not shaken any more when cold start in the morning. So, I guess the reason by which BMW did not find any issues and why the car was shaking was due to the quality of the fuel. Now after Millers no more shaking.
I have been mixing TESCO with ESSO most of the times. I have to fill in the car today so will go to SHELL and use the V-POWER Nitro+Diesel (without adding Millers) and see what happens with the mileage, shaking, etc.
Cheers,

I would prefer just to use decent diesel for a while, as I understand it you do big mileages, monitor the performance now to see if it improves.
Possibly the last owner used decent diesel, and you started using cheap supermarket stuff which seem to highlight a few issues, I think it will be fine after a few tank fulls have passed through the engine, how long you owned the car now?
Think the additive was to clean the engine up after the crap you put in.

Don't think it's necessary to use the premium grade diesel all the time, maybe every now & then, depends if your car runs better on it. I only use it occasionally but then my engine is only a youngster!

 

[Yanko]

Interesting Woody71. For some reason, I think my car shakes due to the fuel. I will update as I am going to try with different fuels. I am doing 30,000 miles a year (the car has got so far 64,000) so probably is a bit more than moderate use. I will keep you updated.
Thanks for your comment

Whilst my cars haven't been remapped, I've used supermarket and shell v power on both a 320d and 330d and can't tell any difference. Not convinced personally that supermarket fuel on a non remapped car is detrimental in moderate use.