Are you in the market for a V8 powered BMW and you’re trying to learn more about the N62 engine? If that is the case, then you are at the right place because this article will be all about the BMW N62 engine problems. BMW definitely knows how to make a good engine, our guide on BMWs M57 engine revealed that, but how did they do with this V8? Let’s find out!
We’ve done deep research on this engine and in the following chapters, we would like to share our findings with you. So, buckle up because it will be a long ride.
Basic BMW N62 Engine Specs
The N62 engine is a 90º naturally aspirated V8 engine produced by BMW between 2001 and 2010. The displacement of the engine varies between 3.6L and 4.8L depending on the application. The power of this engine also varies depending on the application. There is a total of six variations:
N62B36 7 Series
This version is 3.6L in displacement and it produces 200 kW(270hp) @ 6,200 rpm and about 360 N-m (270lb-ft) of torque @ 4,250 rpm.
N62B40 5 Series & 7 Series
This is a 4.0L engine that produces 225 kW(302hp) @ 6,300 rpm and about 390 N-m (290lb-ft) of torque @ 3,500 rpm.
N62B44 7 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X5, Morgan Aero 8
This engine is the 4.4L version and probably the most popular of all of the N62 engines. This version makes about 245 kW(329hp) @ 6,100 rpm & 450 N-m (330lb-ft) @ 3,600 rpm.
N62B48 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5, Morgan Aero 8, Morgan Aero SuperSports, Wiesmann GT MF4
This engine came in 4.8L displacement and had 3 different versions, 261 kW, 265 kW, and 270 kW.
Alpina H1 Alpina B5, B6, B7, B5 S, and B6 S
The H1 was a version of the BMW N62 engine that was built by Alpina. The base of this engine was the N62B44 which was then built by Alpina. It implemented a forged crankshaft, Mahle pistons, and ASA supercharger. This version produced 368 kW and 390 kW depending on the application.
Common BMW N62 Engine Problems
Now let’s quickly learn the common BMW N62 engine problems. There are a total of six very common problems with this engine.
These are the most common BMW N62 engine problems:
- Alternator Gasket Oil Leak
- Valve Stem Seals Failure
- Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak
- Timing Cover Oil Leak
- Coolant Transfer Pipe Seal Failure
- Secondary Air System Failure
If you are really into buying a BMW with the N62 engine you probably want to learn more in-depth about each of these problems. So, let’s cover them in-depth in the following chapters.
Alternator Gasket/Bracket Oil Leak
The first on our list of BMW N62 engine problems is the alternator gasket oil leak. This is a very common problem with this engine.
This issue is created by two factors. Poor engine design and cheaply built gasket. What happens is that this gasket degrades over a long time and oil will start to leak.
Luckily there are no major symptoms with this problem except for the noticeable oil leaks in the area where the gasket is located. But if the leaks are too serious, you will end up losing a significant amount of oil.
Usually, the subframe and steering rack are soaked in oil when this leak occurs. So, leaks from underneath the car are also quite common.
The gasket itself is cheap, it will not cost you more than $10. The expensive thing is the labor, which can cost you more than $1,000. Mainly because the seal is located in a very tight area. There is a lot of work and hours that need to be invested in order to replace this seal.
Valve Stem Seal Failure
The second problem and probably one of the worst issues with this engine are the valve stem seal leaks. So, what are valve stem seals?
The valve stem seal is a seal that each valve has. This seal has the purpose of preventing oil leaks from the top of the engine into the combustion chamber.
And what can happen is that each of these seals can fail on these engines. There are a total of 32 seals since the engine is 32-valve. So, you can imagine how big of a pain this is.
The seals on this engine are made from poor quality rubber and they fail. When they fail you have oil in the combustion chamber and symptoms like blue smoke, increased oil consumption and excessive smoke on startup.
Replacing these seals is expensive and could cost you between $1,800 and $3,000. So, beware of this problem before buying one of these engines.
Valve Cover Oil Leaks
Another common problem with the BMW N62 engine is the situation with the valve cover gasket leaks. So, what is a valve cover gasket?
Well, this is the gasket material that is located between the valve cover and the cylinder head. Valve covers on the N62 are made of plastic. So, they are easy to notice. On this engine, you have two of them, one on each bank.
These valve cover gaskets leak oil because of poor-quality gasket material. And when this happens you have oil leaking from the side of the engine.
Luckily it is not expensive to replace these gaskets. It shouldn’t cost you more than $500 to do this work at a shop. If you do it DIY, it shouldn’t be more than $75.
Timing Cover Oil Leaks
The next problem is the timing cover oil leak. So, what are timing covers? Timing covers are basically metal pieces that cover the timing chain.
There are two of these covers on this engine, one per bank. And each of them has a gasket. That’s why when you do the valve covers, make sure that you replace these gaskets as well.
Mainly because if you don’t do this, you will have to redo the same work all over again. And you don’t want to pay twice.
Coolant Transfer Pipe Leaks
The next problem on our list is the coolant transfer pipe leak. This is another very common problem with the BMW N62 engine that troubles a ton of owners.
In the center of the engine between the two banks there is a coolant transfer pipe. This big pipe goes from the front portion of the engine to the rear.
Usually, the front seal of the coolant transfer pipe starts to leak and the engine loses coolant. Replacing this pipe is really expensive and could cost you a few thousand to replace. So, you definitely have to be aware of this issue.
In the video, you can see how this is done more cheaply. If you opt for the professional way, it will require a lot more work and a lot more money.
Secondary Air System Failure
The last common problem with this engine is concerning the secondary air injection pump. This is a pump that injects air to improve the combustion at startup.
What happens is that sometimes this pump can end up being blocked. And when this happens you will get a diagnostic trouble code 170.
What you can do is get a cleaning kit and with this kit, you can clean the clogging for a fraction of the cost. More in-depth on how it’s done you can see in the video.
Which BMW Models Have the N62 Engine
We covered the BMW N62 engine problems, now let’s learn more about which models have the N62 engine.
N62B36 Applications
- 2001 – 2005 BMW E65/E66 735i/735Li
N62B40 Applications
- 2005 – 2010 BMW E60/E61 540i
- 2005 – 2008 BMW E65/E66 740i/740Li
N62B44 Applications
- 2001 – 2005 BMW E65/E66 745i/745Li
- 2003 – 2005 BMW E60/E61 545i
- 2004 – 2006 BMW E53 X5 4.4i
- 2003 – 2007 BMW E63/E64 645Ci
- 2005 – 2007 Morgan Aero 8
N62B48 Applications
261 kW version:
- 2007 – 2010 BMW E70 X5 4.8i
265 kW version:
- 2003 – 2011 Wiesmann GT MF4
- 2004 – 2006 BMW E53 X5 4.8iS
270 kW version:
- 2005 – 2010 BMW E60/E61 550i
- 2005 – 2010 BMW E63/E64 650i
- 2005 – 2008 BMW E654/E66 750i/750Li
- 2008 – 2010 Morgan Aero 8
- 2010 – 2015 Morgan Aero SuperSports
N62B44H1 Alpina Applications
368 kW version
- 2005 – 2007 BMW Alpina B5
- 2006 – 2007 BMW Alpina B6
- 2003 – 2008 BMW Alpina B7
390 kW version
- 2007 – 2010 Alpina B5 S
- 2007 – 2010 Alpina B6 S
Conclusion
We’ve covered the BMW N62 engine problems, now let’s sum things up. Overall, mechanically, the N62 is a good engine.
The downside of this engine is that it is too complex and troubled by minor but really expensive issues. So, overall, we can say that the N62 is an engine that is very expensive to fix.
Before buying, make sure that you make a close inspection of the problems that we covered and that the engine is in good condition. A detailed maintenance history is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The BMW N62 A Reliable Engine?
The N62 mechanically is a good engine. The main problems with this engine are the overall complexity and relatively minor problems that can cost a ton of money to fix. These issues basically ruin the reliability of the N62.
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