Engine replacement for a 2012 BMW 1 Series.

[AbdulBMWi3]

The central bolt of the Vanos gear seems to have fractured, becoming entangled and causing damage to the cam cover.

The N13 engine is afflicted with common issues seen in recent BMWs, including the problem of the high pressure fuel pump being completely stuck. As a result, the camshaft abruptly ceases its motion, causing the timing chain to forcefully detach the vanos gear from the cam's end. The earlier N12 has a similar occurrence when the brake vacuum pump becomes immobilised. Enjoyable and entertaining.

It is likely that there will be the usual destruction of bent valves and similar damage.

It is quite probable that an engine will be required. Once you have removed the cylinder head, restored the damaged valves, detached the front crossmember, and taken out the sump, it would be more practical to locate an engine from a totaled vehicle and install it instead.

The engine, which is a turbocharged variant of the N12 Prince, is used in both Minis and PSA (Peugeot Citroen) vehicles. However, it is important to note that only the inline versions (114i, 116i, 316i) are compatible.

I successfully prevented a similar catastrophic failure on a Peugeot 207CC while doing the routine timing chain replacement at 60,000 miles a few years ago.