N42 engine problems. It seems under powered especially i...
- N42 engine problems. It seems under powered especially in low RPM and low gears. On BMW N42B20 engines review and specs. 0 N42 engine, and need some help. I am experiencing starting issues on colder days, and bad misfires during the vehicle's warm up phase. base level engine) and therefore dont look after them. thankfully BMW has released a part to correct this issue. I left the engine running and went out to pick up sth. 0 320 is ~150hp with garage mpg A well cared for engine is the priority when buying an e46 of any kind, keep that in mind when buying Explore the reliability and common problems of the BMW N42 engine, including oil specifications and owner feedback. 5mpg (uk mpg) on a 150mile trip then 44. 135 000 km) E46 with N42B18A motor and I seem to have some issues with the motor. What is the N42B20 Engine? Is it good or bad? Read about BMW N42B20 Engine design and features, its the most common problems and relaibility. It is recommended to use oil 5W-40 or 5W-30. I love my 143hp n42, got 48. , and my engine just became something else! It was absolutely unbelieveable how this little trick worked wonders for the performance of the engine, and the rough idle issues. Jun 6, 2025 · Discover the reliability, common problems, and oil specifications for the BMW N42 engine to keep your vehicle running smoothly. The guy who made the above video found that replacing the Vanos did not cure his original problem although he "thinks" it stopped the Vanos being turned. BMW N42 Tuning "All you need to know about tuning the BMW N42 engine!" The BMW N42 engine is a four-cylinder gasoline engine that was used in various BMW models from 2001 to 2004. Below is a list of codes, I have ruled out the basics like cam and crank angle sensors as local mechanic tried all these and the problems still persisted. to/43i0HtT - All-in-One OBDII Car Scanner https://amzn. Basically, its an idling problem and power loss. Turned out to be a worn camchain tensioner causing chain slap and fault Hi, I bought a 2002 BMW 316ti compact (driven approx. In my 10 or so days of owning it I have had 2 instances of the engine warning light and/or EML (the drawing of the engine symbol and the written text lights Now , I do like and enjoy the way the E46 drives , but I'm facing a lot of problems . Explore common BMW N42 engine problems, key service bulletins, and statistics to help you maintain your vehicle effectively. BMW N42 problems, disadvantages and repair, oil, reliability, etc. ~3 days and no change. Given the number of N42 engines on the road there cant be a major problem its probably just caused by people who have little interest in cars (i. I also get horrible fuel consumption readings at low gears and low RPM (well over 10 liters/100 km at steady speed of for example 40 km/h). The car seems to be idling at the normal 800rpm when the aircond is on. Rather get the car that was better taken care of maintenance wise, regardless of N42 vs N46. Im not familiar with the E46 or the N42 engine. What I find inside is suprising and I try to figure out how it happened. Hi, I bought a 2002 BMW 316ti compact (driven approx. Starting problem in cold weather - N42 engine Jump to Latest 47K views 77 replies 16 participants last post by marius. Will try and explain the situation to you as best I can. Engine resource in practice is more than 250 thousand kilometers. With tuning, the engine has a capacity of more than 150 horsepower. Morning all, I have an EU 318ti with the 2. (engine overhaul, valve stem seals etc) The BMW N42 is a DOHC four-cylinder petrol engine which replaced the BMW M43 and was produced from 2001-2004. Only after several long cranks does it BMW B48 ENGINE RELIABILITY , COMMON PROBLEMS , RECALLS 2025 BMW N52 RELIABILITY 2024 (THIS ENGINE IS SOLID AND BULLETPROOF) BMW E46 N42/N46 Valve Stem Seals - Replacement DIY Guide Explore common BMW N42 engine problems, key service bulletins, and statistics to help you maintain your vehicle effectively. to/3TmcQJv - BMW Engine Oil This is a basic BMW engine with natural aspiration that was used in the BMW 318i E46. Getting one for my daughter. 30" ovesize (already Most commonly affecting the 2. I love the car so much but I have encountered some major problems :frown and I really hope this amazing Bimmer community could help me out :) I am starting to plan my engine build and would like some input on my initial parts selection/configuration I am thinking. 5 on the way back carrying an extra 240kg. Please sifus to advice me if I should buy a car with this engine. Do anyone know what part is wrong? :bawling Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 2004 E46 with the N42 engine with 74k miles. And I admit, shortly after I bought the Touring 6 months ago, the well documented issues started to emerge, e. So anyone who have/had a car with this engine please share at what mileage you had major problems. He mentioned that the N42 engine is "problematic". Common Problems and Maintenance. Hi to all! I tried to find similar issues like mine here but either I didn't do a right finds or something like mine issue hasn't been described here. Engine mounting, gearbox mounting, intake separator, fuel filter regulator, ignition My problem (S): My 2003 BMW 318i N42 has developed an annoying problem in the last few weeks where as it starts to judder/ and holding back (like clutch slip) on pulling off/feathering the throttle. When cold, the vehicle will turn over and try to fire up (but wont). Its features include a lightweight aluminum cylinder block, a high The other day, met a e46 owner. Unfortunately, a few problems have surfaced during the last 6 months or so, and am at a loss at what to try 318i N42 intermittent cutting after warm up phase -- FIXED!! I've a BMW 3. I have a 2002 E46 318i steptronic with the N42 engine. BMW e46 318i n42 engine idle problem rough and cuts out. Due chain tensioner and chain guide broken The problem with that particular engine is the throttle position moves reative to valve position and valve opening it does tend to have flat spots in limp mode and poor fuel economy but I understand what your saying about cost of parts alone on an old car! Bmw 318ci n42 engine changed crank shaft sensor/cam sensors/vairable cam sensor/ checked valve timing /getting fuel/no BMW 318ci N42 Engine No Spark and Starting Issues Explained 318ci often faces crankshaft and camshaft sensor failures causing intermittent no spark and stalling problems. The main difference is the use of aluminum for the cylinder block. Recently we have started to see engine problems / engine failures with BMW petrol engines – engine code N43. [1][2] The N42 serves as the basis for the smaller N40 engine (which does not have Valvetronic). NEW UPDATED SITE! BMW N42 16 valve four cylinder engine design notes, list of common problems, photos and all known versions and sizes. Had a 318 m43 coupe, bulletproof engine; never faltered, failed to start or anything! touch wood in the year that I had it never had to replace anything engine wise except a squealie water pump that was on its way out! Then I went to a 318 n42 convertible, lots of bad juju out there about this engine, was brilliant for the year I had it. rough idle, hesitation at around 2500 rpm, chain rattle at cold start, oh and various oil leaks, quite a 2002 E46 318i N42 engine problems engine n42 problems urgent Jump to Latest 22K views 52 replies 8 participants last post by cooldude69 Nov 3, 2011 COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES The N42/N46 engine's cooling system plays a vital role in preventing overheating. 0 litre diesel range, BMW petrol engines and also BMW Minis A range of BMW petrol engines in cars registered between 2001 to 2015 appear to have a design problem affecting the timing chain or tensioner. Ok, so I know the N42 engine has a somewhat bad reputation on the internet. Some people are saying that the N42 2. Issue only happened when the temp gauge was in (or very close to) that specific position you see. Discover the Engine BMW N42, its specifications, reliability, and common problems faced by owners in this comprehensive guide. I teardown and do an autopsy of a mistery BMW N42 engine. Now having problems with engine idle fluctuates which is between 600 - 1700 rpm. Hidden engine problems and reliability issues most buyers discover too late. This is a complilation of the 2 videos demonstrating the fault with my 2003 e46 318i. Are there any common issues I should be checking for? Cheers Murray Problem is worse in cold weather . This immediately fixed the problem with the rattling, rough idle (especially after cold starts), etc. Failure can happen without prior warning and cause the engine to seize up, many repairs for this can run into the thousands with replacement engines needed. N42 chip tuning, mods. :| Any ideas what might cause it? Did diagnostics also at specialists - there are not any errors in engine electrical system. These little 4 bangers seem to get a bad rap around the place, but are they really that bad by comparison to the 6 and 8 cylinders of the same era? Sure they suffer oil/coolant leaks, valve stem seal leaks, timing chains and guides failure etc but what N series engines of the same generation dont Hello E46 Valvetronic owners, This thread is for those of us with the N42 or N46 four-cylinder petrol engines found in UK models like the E46 316i and 318i (typically post-2001/facelift). The vehicle turns over , as normal but wont start , I had the AA come over , the guy checked all the fuses and battery and concluded that its the fuel pump at Hi guys, Been having this weird problem with my car from last week. For no spark and immediate stalling, verify crankshaft and camshaft sensor connections and signals. Mistery solved: https://www Hi Guys Sad Sad sad news :( I have an E46 318i Automatic with N42 engine. BMW E46, N42B20 engine. Oil should be 0w30 or 5w30 fully synthetic . My thoughts are as follows: Block Cleaned, bored, honed, new freeze plugs, ARP main bolts, ITM flat top pistons . We are specialists in rebuilding and maintaining these engines. Hi all, Noobie reporting in. While driving one night, i noticed my oil light came on and engine started idling roughly. I am now having some issues with the valvetronic system. Cold start up its fine, once the engine gets up to temperature, and I switch the car off and start again, it starts fine, but the idle drops to just below 500rpm, then the car. N42B20 engine specifications Advantages The N42B20 replaced the M44B19. After a little reading around online i discovered this is an extermely common issue with the N42 engine and steams from a poor original design. It was implemented in the BMW 3 Series E46 for the 316i and 318i models and was later succeeded by the N43, N45, and N46 engines. Nov 21, 2025 · A complete guide to the BMW N42 engine: reliability, common problems, efficiency, tuning potential, and what owners should expect from the E46’s four-cylinder. Well, my BMW touring 318i E46 (early 2002 model) is suffering from bad idle and so bad sound out of the engine, like chain is broken or so. However, components such as the water pump, thermostat, and radiator can experience issues. N43, N52, N45, N46 N47 and many more. Seeing that the N42 has a reputation for NOT being one of the best engines BMW has made I thought I’d start a thread and see how bad they really are. In the morning when i run the cold engine, start properly. Anyway , I have no idea about BMW or why the Heck there's different engines for the same car . I also get horrible fuel consumption readings at low gears and low RPM (well over 10 liters/100 km BMW N42B18 engines review and specifications, common problems and repair, engine oil, chip tuning, lifespan and others. e. gurban24 Nov 30, 2022 N I am aware that the N42 is not BM's finest engine, but need advice on how best to proceed. Mar 25, 2025 · Discover common problems with the BMW N42 engine and learn effective solutions to maintain performance and reliability. BMW N42 Engine Problems: Causes and Solutions Introduced in 2001, the BMW N42 is a four-cylinder gasoline engine. Apr 13, 2025 · Explore common BMW N42 engine problems, their causes, solutions, and real owner feedback to keep your vehicle running smoothly. The N42 unit is also designed to run on a very low viscocity engine oil and in fact this engine had its own oil specification i. Engine still idling The N42B20 engine is an inline four-cylinder engine from BMW, produced from 2001 to 2004. High everyone thought I'd cracked my problem with the engine changed the following parts, four coil packs, four Bosch spark plugs,fuel filter,ccv system pipes as well,inlet o rings, maf sensor oil and filter all genuine bmw parts Started up runs like a dumper truck drove down the road no go and https://amzn. Discover service bulletins, reliability stats, and common problems for the Engine BMW N42 in this comprehensive review. I recently had some trouble with my engine. Now, I first though this was clutch related untill on saturday I attempted to pull out of a junction and my car bogged out on the revs and cut out. 0 litre diesel with the N47 engine, we also regularly rebuild damaged engines in the 3. But I would like to be certain as I can before spending £300+ (I tried scrappy’s but nothing doing on the N42 engine). BMW N42B20 engines review and specs. Called them and asked are they going to solve the situation. While these engines can be efficient, they have a reputation for the second being the timing chain tensioner, ive heard that on these n42 engines they seem to break, which usually breaks the chain guide and the chain skips a couple of teeth, i know that its a few hundred quid to get that sorted by bmw, because of the special tools, would simply changing the tensioner bolt fix my starting problem? my e46 with n42 engine started normal and run for few minutes until I parked on a slope. I have two N42/N42 engines to pick from. It's a part of BMW's N series of engines, known for their efficiency and performance. In theory this engine could suffer in the same way as the Ford unit if the correct low viscocity oil in not used . Why he said that? I read on some forums (include here) that others have also made the same comment. Currently my car (N42) is having a vibration problem during idling (been a year now and its not solved). After warm up phase when the temperature gauge at the beginning of the blue area Hi, I recently bought my first car for £3000 :hihi an Automatic BMW 3 series compact 316ti 2002 E46 with an N42 engine and with 58,000 miles on the clock. 18i N42( Vin last 7 digit: CK02302) and there's a problem that i can't solve. e Long Life 01FE . Codes P1341, P1345, and P1347 indicate timing or sensor faults. Feb 10, 2025 · Explore common BMW N42 engine problems, their symptoms, and potential consequences to ensure reliable vehicle performance. I just hope that my darling is going to get fixed soon : (. Morning all, Was wondering if you could advise me on the best course of action, I have a 2003 BMW 318 Ti SE, it has an N42 engine, 56k miles on the clock and has been regularly serviced. I come back and the engine cut off itself, and the engine now only cranked but no successful starting. Hi Looking at several 318ti cars with N42 engines. The m52 2. Fuel consumption readings are a lot more reasonable when Exploring issues with my BMW E46 316Ti compact N42 2003 experiencing gasoline smell from exhaust, uneven acceleration, camshaft errors, ignition loss on cylinder 4, alternator communication error, and external temperature sensor issue. Topped up with some oil that i had bought to do a service on the car. g. A software update (engine management) As for N42 vs N46 on the E46, I imagine an external VVT is easier to replace than internal one. 0L is a bad engine and that I must sell the car or swap it with the older M43 engine I believe it's called that . Morning guys. 121d, s4n27, fcsje, 3ur0o, neda, fgdlz, om9y, egxqc8, r6nke, gdun,