I did this myself using the info from eric919. Was pretty well explained, but you need to be careful getting the rubber hose's separated from the plastic connectors. This was the hardest part. I used the 9483 tensioner. Seems to have quieted right down. 2007 MCS 40K. Good time to change oil and air filter while I was there.

I did notice the very different Spring rate from the original to the replacement. And of course the added length. I took a ROM eval of the 2 for comparison by using my digital bathroom scale. Compressing the orig to 1/2 height generated about 12lb. Compressing the 9483 generated 28lb. When you have both in your hands it is a big difference. Why Mini/BMW won't do this is ridiculous. What a bad way to treat customers. It took me about 2 hrs to do with the $45 part. They wanted $400 min.

 

Thanks for the info - part is in the mail and hope to install this weekend!

 

Eric, read your post and viewed your pictures just this week. Found the parts at parts.com last week and at least now they were under Mini, not BMW. Followed your instructions and replaced my tensioner tonight on my 2009 Clubman in an hour and a half taking my time, getting the hose clamps lined up etc. Thanks so much for sharing what you learned. An hour and a half and less than $70 in parts and shipping later and he runs like new.

 

Is the timing chain issue exclusive to the s? I bought a new tensioner for my 07 justa and was going to replace it just to be safe, theres no apparent rattle (ive heard the death rattle on an s and i know my noises are not the same lol) but aftr reading this im skeptical of replacing it as some are saying if the new tensioner is longer on an unstretched chain is could cause damage? Will do more research on the length of the new tensioner and old etc but this thread is all my search about tensioners gave me so far.

 

My death rattle threw the P0012 code. Gonna go to have dealer confirm the problem then fix myself.
Thanks a Ton for the post!

 

How do I find out what type of engine type I have? I have the 2008 R56 base cooper. The website is asking me what type of engine I have and I don't know how to find this out to get the right part.

Trim Engine Type Fuel Type COOPER L4 W10B16A - 1.6 Liter GAS COOPER L4 N12B16A - 1.6 Liter GAS

 

Try putting your VIN# in RealOEM.com

 

Thanks that did the trick, I found out I have the N12 type engine. I ordered the part to fix the problem, now just to wait the many days for the part to get here.

 

Great!
I love to drive my Mini still, after all the recalls and head aches, but my Gawd is it a screwy *** car.

 

I have a 2008 Mini Cooper Base, and I am trying to change the chain tensioner. I have removed the hoses, and air filter body. But there is another throttle body that is in the way of me putting on a tool to remove the chain tensioner. How do I get this out of the way? It has two star shaped screws, if I remove them will this part move out of the way so I can get at the chain tensioner to replace it?

 

Number 1 is what I need to move, to get to number 2 the chain tensioner. How do I remove 1, there are two star screws will this give me what I need if I remove them?

Update 11-09-13 I found out that there were some bolts that I couldn't see or feel at the time. I got a mirror and found them, and then removed the nuts/bolts and it came right out of the way....

 

Mr Toad's wild ride is quiet again!!!
Replaced my tensioner last weekend and my 2008 MCS at 63,000+ miles feels and sounds new again. Thanks again for all the info!

 

Sorry I have the Turbo, maybe somebody else can assist?

 

So can anyone help me with this? I would like to get my tensioner replaced, but need to get that plastic stuff out of the way of the tensioner so I can get some tools on it. I tried just removing the two screws and that did nothing for me, so I put them back on.

 

I just ordered my replacement and will be putting it in as soon as it arrives (most likely friday). I'll let you know what I find and try to see if I can help you out once I get under the hood. I plan on taking photos. However, I have an MCS so I may not be very helpful.

I am nervous though that even the new tensioner might not be enough as the death rattle on the cold start became the death rattle on a downhill and has gotten progressively worse since then over the past week or so. I've stopped driving mine for the time being and will update you all with my results.

I would take it to the dealer, but I'm trapped in Western North Carolina. I'm miles away from a dealer. I was so upset I didn't even get to make it up to the Dragon meet this past weekend as it was only less than an hour from where I am... It was nice to see so many MINI's around though. I waved to everyone I could.

 

I ended up taking my cooper to Knoxville on a trailer as the sound I was hearing was getting progressively worse and driving it was scaring the hell out of me.

Turns out the guide rail was breaking. If a piece of it had dropped down into the engine and blocked an oil passage way things could have gotten much worse.

That's what you get for ignoring your car.

It sues you.

 

My P.O.S. Mini is going in tomorrow. If this horse **** is not a recall, I will be ready to bail on this sub standard quality... I love to drive the bastard, but... OK, No judgements yet, but... I am sadly thinking these cars are very low quality engineering...

 

Any way of knowing if this was done on a car that you are considering buying? Its an 07 Coupe S. I loved driving it but am now concerned about this issue...I am going to call Mini Monday and ask about it, or try to weasel an extended warranty period from the dealer before I buy

 

If the dealer did it, the info will be at the dealers, they can pull it from your key. It'a loud rattle that makes the car sound like a diesel, compare the sound of the engine running to another car.

 

So the new part no. if not replacing chain , is 11314609483 ? How many ft lbs of torque are you guys tightening down the tensioner ?

 

iirc, it is 68 nm (50 ft lb). That is what I used.

 

Hey , could someone post a video of what your car sounds like with the new tensioner.
I find a lot of videos on you tube with the death rattle , but no videos of how a R56 turbo is suppose to sound like working properly at idle.
Being a new owner of a 2007 MCS jcw . I do not know what my car is supposed to sound like. thanks

 

I just finished replacing the Timing Chain Tensenior on my 2008 Mini Base model. It was a pretty fast job. Now it's quiet as can be...

 

I wanted to perform this fix myself today.

I asked for part# 11-31-7-607-551 at the Mini dealership today and I was told it was discontinued and replaced by this part# 11-31-4-609-482.

Should I use this part?

I just want to make sure I don't break anything.

 

Bueller.... Bueller...?

I really need to bump this up. I plan to do the install today.

Anyone?