Sorry if this has been covered before. I am new to the board, did a search, but cannot find anything.

I have a base 1.6L hartop with 106,000 miles on it. About a week ago I started to hear the chain slapping at idle.

I picked up the 82mm tensioner and it looked easy to get to, but when i took off the duct from the air cleaner to the throttle body I noticed that I couldn't get the socket on the tensioner because the throttle body is in the way. Even if I could, I don't think the tensioner will slip by the throttle body. Will it if I can wrench it out with a box wrench?

Any suggestions? Can I pull the throttle body off easily or do I need to pull the intake manifold off to get the new tensioner in?

I know this is just a band-aid, but hope that it will buy me a few more months without the guides getting chewed up.

Thanks
John

 

Here's a link you'll find very informative and helpful. Mini should cover the entire repair, give Mini your vin number and you might get it fixed for free. I was reimbursed for the money I had to pay.

I think if you pull the section of intake piping off you'll have the room you need, it's that piece that looks like an elbow. There's two sections on the bottom, one goes to the intake/air filter housing and to the noise maker. Yes it's really a noise maker, I didn't believe it at first either. It's tough to get off, you'll need two flat head screwdrivers to pry the rubber piping off the center part which is made of metal. The rubber usually sticks to the hot metal after so many years.

Defiantly make sure you lube you new tensioner on the outside with oil so it compresses easily, I have heard of member's cracking the guides from the tensioner not compressing at all. How bad was the rattle? Usually when you start to hear the rattling from the timing chain it's too late and eventually you'll have to get the timing chain, guides and tensioner replaced. It's a $1600-$2000 dollar repair, if their asking for more take it somewhere reputable.

 

Thanks,

Got the longer tensioner in. Still rattling, so new chain kit it is.