Attempting F30 Engine swap

[shakmonster]

Hello all recently found out there's been coolant inside the engine and I've been getting every code in the book. I plan on replacing the engine with either the N20 or N26. I'm pretty handy with bimmers as this will be my first attempt at replacing an engine. I have some questions can I put any n20 or n26 engine in an awd f30? Any advice or tips and are there any other reliable bimmer engines I can consider swapping?

[328 Power 04]

As long as it's the same engine as yours, 328i/528i going into yours, then it's a straight swap. If you get an engine from rwd, you may have to swap the oil pan since yours is an awd model. Do not get an engine from the 320i unless you don't care; they have slightly different internals.

There is no other more reliable engine you can swap without a major change of electronics or very custom work.

[shakmonster]

If I have an N20 I could swap for the newer N26 right?

[328 Power 04]

The engine itself is identical to N26

[shakmonster]

Ok great! and would I have to do anything to the ECU? or is it as simple as a straight swap?

[mandd]

Coolant in the engine? are you sure?

Or is it oil in the coolant?

Regardless it might be a faulty oil filter housing gasket has it has a gallery to the oil and coolant.

What other faults do you have that leads you to replace the motor? Timing faults?

If so then maybe it may be cheaper if you fitting it yourself, but you should also replace the timing chain in the replacement motor.

The only difference will be pneumatic wastegate vs electronic, this you can swap over. Also injector adaptation/compensation with the replacement motor.







Hello all recently found out there's been coolant inside the engine and I've been getting every code in the book. I plan on replacing the engine with either the N20 or N26. I'm pretty handy with bimmers as this will be my first attempt at replacing an engine. I have some questions can I put any n20 or n26 engine in an awd f30? Any advice or tips and are there any other reliable bimmer engines I can consider swapping?

[shakmonster]

I took it to a mechanic after having multiple parts changed on it. They said they found coolant in the engine and the best thing to do is replace it since it wont turn over anymore.

[Juanbeni6]

As long as it's the same engine as yours, 328i/528i going into yours, then it's a straight swap. If you get an engine from rwd, you may have to swap the oil pan since yours is an awd model. Do not get an engine from the 320i unless you don't care; they have slightly different internals.

There is no other more reliable engine you can swap without a major change of electronics or very custom work.


hello Abel. My mechanic put an n20 engine instead of an n26 engine in my 2013 328i and now the car runs leans, I have a lean code P0171. There are no vacuum leaks, no other codes. Any suggestions on programming that may be needed to get the car running correctly ?

[328 Power 04]

First you need a tool that reads BMW manufacturer codes from all modules. P codes are not comprehensive.

Second, N20 *from 328i* is identical in hardware from N26 from 328i. It's not a programming issue.