Update on the part:

ESC Tuning lists three options.

1. Mfg Part# 11314609483 by Genuine BMW. 78mm for $37.61


2. Mfg Part # 11317597895 by Febj (sp?). 78mm for $56.99


3. Mfg Part # 11314609482 by Genuine Mini. 82mm for $16.84



Interestingly, option 3 was the part # that Mini told Deafgoose was the replacement part for part# 11-31-7-607-551.
The specs at ecstuning.com show that part to be 4mm longer, and it's the cheapest option.


At Parts.com you can get part #11314609483 for $32.04.

At Penskeparts.com you can get part #11314609483 for $46.43.



Just thought I'd share what I found.

 

This thread has been very helpful, I thank you all for your input.

My concern is this: Last year when I purchased my Mini (used) I took it into a different dealer than the one I purchased from. I brought in my Mini for service and had a bunch of warranty stuff done as my car was about to fall out of warranty shortly thereafter.

One of my concerns was the timing chain tensioner issue. The dealer stated that my car already had the updated part(s) installed and it was not necessary.

Fast forward one year and I am at my dealer last weekend buying a water pump and thermostat housing and I stop by service to ask them for a vehicle history report so I can understand what recalls/repairs have been done while in warranty. Funny thing is there is no mention of the timing chain assembly being replaced/repaired/updated.

The dealer suggests that the repairs could have been performed at some other facility and may have been paid for out of pocket by the original owner. I asked the dealer why would anyone pay for something out of pocket if the car was in warranty. The dealer stated that some people do that. The dealer went on later in our conversation to tell me that my VIN number did not fall into the affected N14's. I thought ALL VIN's were affected?

So who do I believe? The tech who did a visual? Or the vehicle history report?

So in short, can I just do a visual and see if this tensioner was replaced based on the colour of the tensioner (black vs. silver?).

 

Probably not. I replaced the original tensioner in my '07 with the new '482' part and both had silver hex heads. The only way to really confirm is to pull your existing tensioner and check the part number stamping. At that point, you might as well have a new one on hand to install as a replacement.

 

How would a person know which is the correct length to purchase?

 

Hello Metro62, what lead you to buy the 482 as opposed to the other lengths available?

 

From way earlier in this thread, someone stated the 551 tensioner was intended for stretched chains still within limits, but not for new chain installations. A couple posts back someone indicated the 551 is NLA but replaced by the 482.

The spring in my original tensioner was really weak compared to the 482;the plunger went in really easily but then became very stiff in the last few MM of travel.

I had a chain rattle only very sporadically, perhaps only once every other month at the very most and replaced the tensioner as a (hopefully) preventive measure. I need to replace my valve cover this weekend and will use the opportunity to assess the guide rails.

 

Just had the tensioner replaced at 35k miles by dealer. Measured length was 71mm. There was also an oil leak from the tensioner gasket leaking oil. No more of that clacking noise at startup, which is great.

 

What do u mean by crackle drew? My chain, guides, and whole deal were replaced over a year ago when it sounded like a tractor at startup. Now it sounds like i have the n18 wastegate rattle at start up and light to moderate throttle with windows down. Is that the crackle sound u refer to. I always say it sounds like a piece of plastic in moving bike spokes.

 

could someone please confirm if you need to use a tension wrench for this? or is it simply remove one and install the other?

 

I was lucky when i had the death rattle that all i had to replace was the tensioner. a local shop did it for me for 120$. worth it in my opionion. havnt had the rattle since.

 

Getting this for $18...
Edit- called Mini Cust. relations, they say it's still covered and bring it in for free repairs. 1-800-275-6464.

 

Hi Everyone,
I am trying to order the new Timing Chain Tensioner for my 07MCS R56 through Parts.com. I am doing the search under BMW part # 11317607551 and is saying that the part number was superseded with part #11314609482.
Help Help.. Does anybody knows about this?

 

Yes that is correct... 551 is now 482 as you were told. Both are 82mm in length, but I do not know if there are differences. Probably only a different manufacturer:551 was made by Febi-Bilstein and 482 by JWIS who also make the chain and the chain guides.

 

Does anybody knows the torque specs for the new bolt chain tensioner 82mm Part# 11314609482?

Thanks in advance

 

46 ft/lbs or 63 Nm

 

Thank you very much DneprDave

 

What's up people, I was just wondering, I have a 2011 Countryman All4 S, I'm getting the rattle, and as a preventative measure, I want to change the tensioner. Mind you it's the new one from ECS which is at 82 length. When changing this part will I need any specific tools, rather than the general swap out and in new one method....? Because a fellow mechanic was telling me a special tool is needed to mount underneath to lock in the timing before swapping out the tensioner? I'm running in circles on fixing this because winter is coming and I don't wanna experience any serious problems. Please any clarification would be helpful!

 

On the N18 engine we don't see too many timing chain tensioner issues. Are you sure its the timing chain and not sometime else.
To do it right you will have to lock the cam / crank to do the swap so you dont risk moving the timing.

 

Well, when I had the transfer case replaced the dealer said the noise is "normal"....but everyone that I know that is mechanically inclined makes the suggestion of a timing chain issue specifically either a slack chain, which can only mean the tensioner right? I'm hoping it's not the guides and the chain itself...and thanks so I guess the kit is needed to change the tensioner.....

 

Some people like in the first post pop it out and replace ( like the first post in this thread), but its not the low risk way. But it can be done.

I would check the guide and the stretch on the chain , check under our tool section of timing for all the tools. I take it your out of warranty , otherwise I would press the MINI dealership to measure slack in the chain. On the N18 engine you have the problem is not so wide spread.

 

ECS, How do you measure slack with this tool? in other words how do you use it to measure it?

 

From the TIS: N14 Engine

8. Install the locating pin (Special Tool 11 9 590) to lock the position of the engine. 9. Remove the chain tensioner and collect the residual oil with a shop towel.

10. Fit the chain tensioner (Special Tool 11 9 340) ( 83300493971 ) without the seal ring and with the lock nut loose. Pretension the chain tensioner with Special Tool 00
9 250 to 0.6 Nm. Finger-tighten the lock nut on Special Tool 11 9 340. ( 83300493971 )

11. Remove the chain tensioner (Special Tool 11 9 340) from the engine, with the lock nut still tight. Measure the distance (A), as described in the
illustration.

12. If distance (A) is less than 68mm (and the noise can be reproduced only between 1,600-1,800 rpm), then only replace the chain tensioner with P/N 11314609482 (refer to parts list A), as per Repair Instruction REP 11 31 090 (Installing and removing/replacing chain tensioner piston N14). 13. If distance (A) is 68mm or greater (and the noise is reproducible both at 1,600-1,800 rpm range as well as at idle speed when cold), replace the
following components in the list below (refer to parts list B). If you are uncertain regarding repair attempts already made, each chain tensioner part
number is stamped on the outer sleeve. It must be removed from the engine in order to read the part number.



List B : N14 Engine

11314609483KT

 

Thank you very much ECS

 

how many miles on your engine?

 

Lex2008, mine has 53K but I already install the new chain tensioner about a month ago.