BMW M47TU2D20 engine

In this review we will talk about BMW M47 engine of TUD20 modification.  The power plant was produced at Steyr Plant. From 1998 to 2007. The cylinder block is made of cast iron. The engine type is diesel, and its configuration is in-line. There are 4 valves on 4 cylinders. The piston moves 88 mm in the modification M47D20. As for our modification, it is 90 mm. Cylinder diameter is 84 mm, compression ratio is 17. The volume of the engine, depending on the modification, which we will specify below – 1951 cubic centimeters and 1995 cubic centimeters respectively.The engine develops power from 116 to 163 horsepower at 4000 rpm, also depending on the specific model Torque is 265 Newton per meter at 1750 rpm. The power plant complies with Euro 3 environmental standards, and since September 2003 BMW engineers have adjusted the engine to Euro 4 environmental standards. The engine weighs 162 kg.

On the example of a car on the BMW 320d in 46 body, we came to the conclusion that in the city the average consumption of diesel fuel is 7.9 liters for every 100 kilometers of mileage. On the highway, the engine consumes about 5 liters, which leads to the figures of the mixed cycle – 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers of mileage

BMW engineers managed to achieve an average oil consumption of up to 700 milliliters per 1000 km. On average, there are about 5 liters of lubricant in the powertrain. The oil should be changed every 7-10 thousand kilometers, according to the regulations, but we recommend changing it every 5-6 thousand kilometers. Comfortable operating temperature of the engine is about 90 degrees above zero. Recommended deviations are plus minus 15 degrees. In practice, the engine runs more than 400,000 kilometers, of course, with timely replacement of consumables, the use of quality fuels and lubricants and careful attitude to the engine. The power unit was installed on the following models from the company: BMW BMW 118d/120d E87 BMW 318d/320d E46/E90 BMW 520d E39/E60 BMW X3 E83.

Engine specifications M47TU2D20

Advantages

Let’s talk about the advantages of this engine. German engineers have worked hard to increase the capacity of the powerplant and developed new balancer shafts. They added more precise electrical control of the turbine, instead of vacuum control. Another innovation was the variable geometry of the intake manifold. This change allowed to organize a good torque curve, which is practically smeared all over the tachometer. The main feature is that the flaps are able to adjust the airflow, and the amount of oxygen allowed through depends on the number of revolutions of the powertrain. As for the timing drive, each version has a chain drive. The chain is located at the front of the engine. That, unlike the receiver N47 significantly facilitates access to it. Also motorists have worked on the dual-mass flywheel, and versions that came out in the last years of release are equipped with a DPF filter. This is an excellent and technically advanced powertrain. Sometimes it causes difficulties for masters at the service station, because of the inaccuracy in the indication of errors.

It’s a better motor than its predecessor, the N47. Versions that are able to produce from 143 horsepower provide the car with pleasant dynamics, and, despite all the sportiness, are quite economical. For example, power units for 163 horsepower, which is installed in cars BMW 320d are able to spend an average of about 7 liters for every 100 km of mileage. This powertrain has a number of technical solutions that significantly improve performance, but require quite high maintenance costs. But despite this, the powertrain cannot be characterized as problematic.

Disadvantages

Let’s talk about the problems associated with this engine. The first pain in the powertrain is the vortex flaps. If the car is operated constantly in the red rpm line, there is wear on the axis of the flaps, causing either part or all of them to come off and fly into the engine. Most often this leads to overhaul or purchase of a new engine. We recommend to remove these flaps initially and put plugs on them. The intake manifold is also a vulnerable part of this engine. But pay attention to the fact that it must be cleaned together with the EGR valve. And after that it is necessary to polish everything with a new firmware of the electronic control unit for new operating conditions.

A common problem on M47 engines is the crankshaft damper. It causes noises and extraneous sounds. Its life is about 100,000 km, but it is necessary to keep an eye on it until this kilometer is reached. As for the crankshafts, they can burst after reaching 150,000 km. The turbine is made qualitatively and serves for quite a long time, about 250 000 – 270 000 km. It can work and more, if you change the oil in time and qualitatively maintain the power plant. To summarize, the engine can run more than 400,000 km. But this figure can be significantly prolonged if you change engine oil more often, fill consumables that comply with the technical regulations of BMW and service your car.

As mentioned above, the M47 engine is capable of causing the mechanic at the service station some problems in diagnosing faults in the machine’s brains. The most serious problem, in the whole range of M47 units, is the destruction of the intake manifold flaps. It occurs on almost all diesel engines from Bavaria Motors, including those with 6 cylinders. All the problems are in the flaps, which are responsible for changing the geometry of the intake manifold. They have rather weak fasteners that can come loose. And when they come off, go straight into the powertrain. As a result of this history, the cylinder head is critically damaged, the combustion chamber is destroyed, the turbocharger also comes into disrepair along with the pistons.

Another nuisance is the turbocharger. It can fail prematurely. This is often blamed on the oil change timing specified in the electrical regulations. To prevent this problem, we recommend changing the fuel and lubricants in this power unit 30-40 percent earlier than the stated time in the regulations. Due to the fact that the turbine is electrically controlled, not all workshops that specialize in turbocharger rebuilding can adjust it correctly after the repair work has been done. Nevertheless, it is technically possible. Among similar turbodiesels of its years, the M47 excels technically and in terms of performance. It is a very successful engine, although it is not worth counting on cheap operating costs. It has a range of technical solutions that require high maintenance costs. However, the engine cannot be characterized as very problematic.

Technical specifications

Let’s talk about the technical characteristics of the engine. In March 1998, the BMW 320D in E46 body came off the assembly line. This marked the appearance of a new diesel engine M47D20. The powerplant replaced the outdated M41D17. The protagonist of our review acts as an inline four-cylinder power unit, which has a cast-iron cylinder block. Each of them is 84 mm. Inside the cylinder block, a crankshaft is installed, with a set piston stroke of 88 mm. The length of the connecting rods is 135 mm. As for the compression height of the pistons, it is 47 mm. All this miracle, put together, is able to give a working volume of about 2 liters. The cylinder head is made of aluminum, has two camshafts with four valves per cylinder. As for the diameter of the intake valves, they are 26 mm long and the exhaust valves are 26 mm long. The valve stem is 6 mm long.

The M47TU2D20 engine was equipped with a direct fuel injection system with a high-pressure fuel pump VP44. It was also equipped with turbocharging and an intercooler. As for the supercharger, the powertrain was fitted with a Garrett GT1549V, which had variable geometry. As for the timing mechanism, it also used a chain made of durable materials, just like the previous versions. The BMW company gives a guarantee on this chain up to 100.000 km. But we ourselves realize that in practice things are a bit worse. The history of the engine was finished in 2007, when it was replaced by a similar 4-cylinder engine, which had a significant increase in power efficiency and had the index n47.

Modifications

The first version of the N47 engine was the m47d20o0, which was produced from 1998 to 2003 inclusive. After, a stripped-down version came out, which had an output of 116 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. As for torque, it was 265 Newtons per meter at 1750 rpm. And we come to the protagonist of our review. It replaced the M47D20o0. It has a new crankshaft, with an increased piston stroke of 2 millimeters. Now instead of 88 millimeters, the piston stroke is 90. New pistons are installed, which have an effective compression height – 45 mm, compression ratio up to 17 units, and connecting rods were installed with a length of 136 mm.

These modifications allowed to increase the working volume by 4 cubic centimeters from 1951 to 1995. Another innovation was the Common Rail fuel injection system, Garrett GT1749V turbine, a completely new intake manifold, which had vortex flaps. All of this was controlled by Bosch EDC16 C31 brains. As for environmental friendliness, the exhaust, as well as on the first version of the M47 complies with Euro-3 standards, but since September 2003, cars that were installed right-hand drive and manual transmission were modified to Euro-4. The cars, which were produced since March 2004, had left-hand drive and manual transmission, began to install Euro-4 a little later. Useful power of the power plant is about 150 horsepower. In order to get this power it is necessary to accelerate the engine to 4000 rpm. And 330 Newtons per meter are produced at 1750 rpm.

Chip tuning

As for chip tuning, it is not very difficult to increase the power of the M47. It costs about 15 000 -20 000 rubles. Masters at the service station will flash the electronic control unit of the car. This will give a decent increase of about 40 horsepower. Those people who are not satisfied with this performance, tuning studios or specialized sites can sell an improved turbine Garrett GT2260, which is installed on cars BMW 530d. The kit requires the addition of a new intercooler, injectors and the addition of an exhaust with a diameter of 63 millimeters. But the technical changes do not end there. If you silence the EGR, properly adjust the control unit, it will allow you to get about 220 horsepower on top.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW 5-Series (E61)

BMW 5-Series (E60)