So, I have acquired a 2009 JCW convertable that appears to have suffered a fatality due to the timing chain possibly skipping a tooth. This is my first experience with a Mini, and just curious what you guys think I'm in for. The previous owner said he was driving down the road when the oil light came on, then suddenly the engine seized. He tried to crank it back up, but it wouldn't even turn over.

So far, I've only been able to get around to taking the valve cover off. The rockers are all over the place, so I'm sure several rods are bent. There is plastic parts from the timing chain guides all over the head and down in the chain area, and one of the metal guides that hover over the chain at the very top has been eitehr chewed up or has broken off. I don't see it in the head, but there are fine metal shavings on the valve cover.

I guess what I'm asking is what is your experince with the block after this happens? If the block is destroyed, would you guys go with the same engine or upgrade? If I'm not mistaken, the 09 JCW has the N14? I've had others suggest an N18. I'm going to read up on that some more. Thanks in advance, and hopefully I'll be hanging around for a while.

 

'09 JCW is N14.

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That's a really odd failure. If the timing chain would have just skipped a tooth or two you'd just have bad compression/leakdown from a tweaked valve. This sounds like the timing chain assembly just destroyed itself. Probably the old owner ran it low on oil without knowing.

You could possibly do a block rebuild but the rebuild parts aren't super cheap and are kind of hard to source. Not to mention all the time spent at the machine shop line-boring the block and checking the crank and all that fun stuff. I think your best bet is to buy a good used longblock (or remanufactured) and just drop that in.

You have a N14 motor now so you'll have to stick with that. The N14 ECU won't even come close to running the N18 motor. I suppose you could convert the car to the N18 motor but you're talking about replacing quite a bit of stuff to get everything to talk to each other nicely. If you're having to ask the questions it's probably not a good option for you. There is nothing wrong with the N14 motor if your goal is just light mods and puttering around town. If you're looking for big power numbers it's probably best to just sell the car and get something else.

 

I would think it would be cheaper to just replace the engine, save time and money and start from scratch... no additional surprises after a rebuild. (I would go with a create motor) and since it is a straight remove and replace it is something you could do yourself..(if you have the skills) if it is something you will have a shop do, the labor cost is also reduced due to the same thing... vs ... the hours and hours of rebuilding.

 

Thanks guys, that clears up a lot. 207hp is plenty for me in this car, and as you suggested I will stick with the N14. That is all I needed to know about using a different engine. The electronics appear to be in really good condition, so I have no want to replace all of that and make my experience any more difficult.

I'm taking my time pulling the head off, it isn't as simple as pulling the head off of an '88 Jeep Wrangler by any means. I'll tear it down as I get time, but I'm crossing my fingers that the block isn't scared or truly seized. The fact the oil light came on just before it happened is leading me to think the block isn't going to be the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

 

James, you wrote that just as I was typing my last replying. I've priced a few "Short Engines" as they appear to be called. It was confusing why they say "Short Engine" instead of the typical "Long Block." I was hoping to rebuild the head, but as you said, it may be in the best interest to go with the entire crate engine. I'm curious to see what the block looks like before I buy the engine.