BMW N63 Engine Problems

in Problems
BMW with an N63 engine

Source: Flickr

The BMW N63 engine was one of the most intricate selections when it appeared on the market in 2008, offering ample performance and a unique construction from aluminum. It’s formidable, but some of the intricate tech pieces made the system vulnerable to failure. Before investing in a car with this system, consider vital BMW N63 engine problems.

If you want to learn more about some of the most critical issues that appear in the BMW N63, you’re in the right place. The more you understand some of the worst aspects of the system, the easier it will be to determine if you’re up to the challenge. Keep reading to learn more about some of the worst troubles and how much they cost to fix for those who want to be prepared.

The Most Common BMW N63 Engine Problems:

  • Timing Chain Troubles. Cost to fix: $1,600-$1,800
  • Fuel Injector Failure. Cost to fix: $350-$850
  • Buildup of Carbon. Cost to fix: $350-$400
  • Valve Stem Seal Leaks. Cost to fix: $1,600-$1,800

Timing Chain Troubles

Problem:

One of the most significant issues in the list of BMW N63 engine problems is a fault with the timing chain. This trouble most often appears once you go past the 100,000 mile point and will only get worse if you don’t take the time to deal with it. Over time, the chain could jump and bend the engine in irreparable locations.

Although there can be some warnings for this issue like strange noises and a lowered ability of the engine to run as well as it did before, many troubles with the timing chain will appear without a moment’s notice. If you have a BMW N63 selection, we recommend visiting a mechanic to have them look.

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Cost:

Those who want to deal with timing chain troubles should be ready to deal with some significant payments for the process. It will cost around $1,600-$1,800 for a professional to complete the process, but it will be almost $1,000 cheaper for you to do it. However, it isn’t a good idea if you don’t know what you’re doing - it could cost you even more.

Fuel Injector Failure

Problem:

Another serious trouble in the BMW N63 engine is a failure in the fuel injector. Most people behind the wheel of cars with this system notice a failure of a fuel injector at around 20,000-30,000 miles, which isn’t very far into many ownership experiences. Most of the time, your fuel injectors will need a complete replacement.

Common symptoms of fuel injector failure include a check engine light, rough idle, stalling, misfire, and even soot and unburnt fuel resting in the exhaust. Other items could cause these issues, but the most common is a BMW N63 fuel injector in need of a complete replacement. 

Cost:

It’s a terrible idea to leave these symptoms alone and fail to replace the fuel injector symptoms right away. It will cost less than $1,000 to fix these items, with the price point ranging from $350-$850. If you notice these troubles, take the machine to a mechanic right away to address underlying issues. 

Buildup of Carbon

Problem:

Another common trouble in the BMW N63 system is a significant buildup of carbon. The system of the N63 uses direct injection, which means it’s far more likely to experience carbon building up than other engines that use something other than direct injection to bring the system to life. Walnut blasting is ideal around 60,000 miles to stop this item.

Common indicators of carbon buildup include items like misfiring on the engine a far worse performance than the system was able to accomplish in previous years, or lower mileage points. There could also be shuddering in the engine, and you might notice far worse fuel economy than in previous years, which can be expensive. 

Cost:

Typically, the buildup of carbon will cost around $350-$400 to handle in the BMW N63 system, which isn’t too much. You can keep the price down depending on your location and how well you cared for the system up to that point. Again, we recommend walnut blasting every 60,000 miles to remove ample deposits. 

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Valve Stem Seal Leaks

Problem:

Last on our list of significant BMW N63 engine problems are valve stem seal leaks. The rubber seals inside the system are next to some of the hottest components, which means they can fail and lead to leaking. Unfortunately, there will be some troubles that make themselves known if this error occurs.

Common troubles that will emerge from valve stem seal leaks include intense white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, serious oil loss, ample strain on the engine, and a far worse performance from the system. If you see any of these items, there’s a high chance your valve stem seals could be undergoing leakage.

Cost:

It’s expensive to handle issues with leaking in the valve stem, as it typically requires a complete replacement of components in the BMW N63 engine. Most repairs will cost under $2,000. However, there are cases where complete removal of the engine is necessary - which can raise the cost of replacement as high as $5,000-$6,000 depending on where you go.

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Avoiding the BMW N63 Problems

The best way to keep your life clear from some of the most significant BMW N63 engine problems is to watch for indications of trouble and care for them as soon as possible. If you’re an advanced car owner, you might be able to fix them yourself. However, if you aren’t confident, take the vehicle to a mechanic to avoid causing even more errors.

We hope this information is valuable, whether you already own a car with a BMW N63 engine or are trying to weigh your options on the market. There is no perfect selection when considering engine selections, so it’s best to consider the best and worst aspects of each vehicle to make the right choice for your life. Some are far too expensive to be practical.

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