Hi all, first time poster. I have learned a lot from these forums as I've worked on my first Mini, thanks.

My daughter's Countryman had an appointment for Vanos and timing chain replacement tomorrow, but this morning the chain jumped and bent all the valves. It has 84k on it and has had a lot of troubles--I've replaced the cat, the DMTL pump, and worked through several other codes in the 10k miles we've owned it. This one, though, seems like a big job, and the BMW-specialty shop that was going to do the timing chain is not willing to take it on. He scoped it and said there were marks on all the pistons, although I've seen elsewhere (maybe this forum?) that that doesn't mean I'll need to replace those.

So, if I have done timing belts on other cars, rebuilt small engines, and am generally mechanically inclined, is this a job I should take on? Will I need to remove the motor? Any thoughts from this community would be helpful as we decide on what to do next!

 

Hello,

Sorry to hear that. Its kind of a job, but i dont know how mechanical you are?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...it-myself.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...laement-3.html

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1311439853kt2/

 

Thank you ECS. I will plan on getting those parts if I take it on!

 

If you take it on make sure you buy a good cam lock kit the cheaper kits have poor tolerances in the flywheel pins, I am also a big fan of the Detroit tuned cryo timing set very complete and high quality

 

Will do, thanks! Is there a Chilton's manual or similar that people use to do this job? I'll be taking the head off and replacing valves at the very least as well.