Hello all ... I am a Subaru guy through and through but my wife has always wanted a Mini ... so I bought what I thought was a good deal in a 2007 pepper white automatic justa with a hurt motor (read really good overall shape and cheap!)... this is where the fun begins. I have ordered the Bentley manual and the timing tool lock set and I am preparing to tear into the motor ... I have the valve cover off now and see that the timing chain is not broken like the seller told me( most likely that's what the dealer told her) I can see however that the upper timing chain guide is completely missing and the steel holder is actually worn from chain contact... my question is what else/ where else should I be looking for parts and debris from the destroyed upper guide and what other damage should I be looking for ... bent valves, oil pump drive chain ?? ... I am pretty good with mechanical stuff and have the tools and resources to swap or rebuild a motor so I would like to determine if this motor is salvageable or should I just start looking for another drop in motor now ...

 

I would replace the timing chain set (chain, guides, tensioner, etc) and then do a compression test. That'll give you a good look at the health of the motor. There is a chance, albeit a small one, that the motor is terminally destroyed, in which case you would have bought a chain set in vain, but you can transfer it to your new motor if that's the case.

 

Thanks Eric... Is there any way to do a compression and leak down before buying a new timing set? ... my main concern is if the timing jumped enough to bend valves or the broken parts hurt the oil pump in some way and the bottom end of the motor is damaged?

 

Yes, you can do a leak down test without buying a timing set. pop off the valve cover, make sure the valves are all closed and test one cylinder at a time.

 

Welcome to NAM! I'm Subaru too! Have an STi of my own. Looks like you're pretty handy and can get this job done no problem. If you need timing components, be sure to check out our catalog HERE and for any other future works that need to be done, we have a great resource of DIY articles HERE. If you need anything be sure to let me know and good luck with your project.

 

My other car




Thanks for the welcomes and replies ... As soon as I can figure out what I am dealing with motor wise I will be using all the board vendors I can to help me get this thing running for the spring ... I am sure I will be in touch

 

We recently had an R55 Cooper Non S with the exact same timing chain failure. We ended up only having 2 bent valves. Pulled the head did the valves and reinstalled with a new timing chain kit, car is running great now. Normally with the valve cover off you can physically look and see which valves are stuck. So check that if you can't tell, do a leak down test and manually turn the cams to check all 4 cylinders. If you have no leaks just do the chain.

 

+1 on do the timing chain and check for bent valve. If you an pull in the intake manifold off and shine a light down the side of the head into the chamber you might get better view of those valves. make sure you get the right full timing chain set with the correct updated tensioner. Our full kits come with it. ~551 version.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-Cooper-R56-Base-Coupe-L4_1.6L_N12B16A/Engine/Timing/

 

Now that's a GC! Fabulous and you use it correctly! What do you compete in for rally?

 

That was this cars first real drive in anger ...a shakedown if you will, at a local rally sprint, here in Nova Scotia ... I have generally rallied in Canadian Rally Championship ... My last GC was a former Subaru Canada STI rally car that I campaigned in open class. This car will be more of a "play" car and less of a serious travel racing effort. I live about 11 hours from the nearest national event and I have had my fill of 20 hour tows ...

 

I commend you. I initially wanted to get into rally with mine, but the time, cost and effort was just too great for me to be able to invest in. I resorted to NASA and looking to work through to their TT/TA and maybe make my way to some WTW. I have a good buddy who is a co-driver in Rally America right now. Most recent event for them was LSPR. He's a Subie guy and has a GC he's building up right now, but he co-drives in a Ford Fiesta. Thanks for sharing this with us! I love hearing about members doing these kinds of things.

 

Thanks brother ... Rally is a HUGE commitment at the highest level ... but ... if you are careful and spend your money wisely you really can do it on a tight budget ... for my money it is the best thing you can do with your clothes on ! and GOOD on you for getting involved in the racing scene ... start small, learn, and work your way up ... that's exactly how started ... The Mini thing how ever ... that is all new ... I am not accustom to simply taking a OEM part out and the replacing it with another OEM part ... ... I will get the hang of this 'fixing so it runs exactly the same as it did" but it sure does not make any sense in my racing brain

 

So ... I thought I would post an update to my "little project" ... my plans to do a quick timing chain swap and run with a steal of a deal went south after finding out a LOT of valves were damaged in the original head ... move on to "plan B"


I decided to pull the bad motor and look for a complete drop in ...



It was not a "horrible" job more a pain in the *** :/



The donor is a 2008 6 speed with a 100000 kms that was still running perfectly after its owner decided to park her in a guard rail during a rain storm



The 2nd engine removal starts this weekend

I also picked up a set of Eibach lowering coils and a set of tires and wheels to keep this project on track ... I thought about doing a complete 6 speed swap as well but my wife wants to keep the automatic so ... auto is