So I found these in my oil pan today... Are they from the inner/outer rotors on the oil pump? Any thoughts? They're definitely plastic.

No metal, no shavings, nothing else in the oil pan - it was pristine other than these!

I'm replacing the pickup because it's completely clogged and it's starving the engine of oil.

Oil pressure has been perfectly fine. Top end's just noisy.

Link to image: http://imgur.com/yJNzVx6

 

no pic...

 

Yeah it's not coming through on Photo Bucket... will keep trying.

 

Picture still won't work, but the link does!

Looks like there are more pieces IN the pickup too...

 

hmmm... only thing i can think of that's plastic is the timing chain guides.

 

Would make sense with a "noisy top end" if the tensioner is failed....

 

I'll try to get a better picture of the pieces in a bit... We're also taking them to Seattle MINI to see if they have any idea what they are.

 

So these are the pieces that were in the pan and the oil pickup. They were clogging the oil pickup, possibly enough to cause oil circulation problems and valve noise. I haven't reassembled anything because I want to figure out what these are and replace it!

We're thinking some kind of belt/chain guide rail, teeth, something... Note the ridge in the parts. If it helps, it looks like it was originally white plastic. I don't think they're from the oil pump rotors. There's a slight curve to the pieces but not enough to make the rotors.

Link to image: http://imgur.com/sJmzQU3

 

Yup, timing chain guide rails, I'm shocked that thing hasn't been rattling like crazy.

And yes, that kind of breakage is extreme for those things.

 

You're awesome!! Thank you! It has been awfully noisy and she hasn't really been driven because of it.

Since we're at 110k miles, I figure it's best to just replace the entire timing chain assembly. Considering how much we've put into it now with dropping the oil pan (mostly just time consuming), how much more difficult/time consuming will replacing the timing chain assembly be? If we've come this far, can we handily do it ourselves? I'll look around for a guide online, but I may have to bite the bullet and get the Bentley's.


Thank you again!! Hopefully Seattle MINI will take back the intake because the plastic was the only thing clogging the original one and it's in perfect condition otherwise...

 

Normally timing chains are "lifetime" in or cars, but with the amount of movement and abuse that it has probably taken with those guides being so far gone, you are probably correct in your thinking as far as replacing everything (chain, guides and tensioner), and it's really not a hard job, just get your alignment set properly in case there is a problem, is more of a pain because of tight working conditions than anything.

 

I talked to my partner in crime, and replacing the entire assembly is going to be too much for us right now. We're going to try to replace the tensioner and the rails, and it looks like accessing the timing cover isn't a nightmare... Thank you for all your help and patience, we are new to MINI's! I've worked on mostly Japanese and American cars and trucks, and he's worked on just about everything, but mostly Harleys... It's amazing how much easier it is when you can SEE and ACCESS everything!

 

Also, Pelican Parts has great prices for these parts, but they're out of stock on the tensioner! Do you have any recommendations for right-price parts? eBay was actually way more expensive this time. Someone with an overnight shipping option would be preferable.

 

ECS, they are a vendor here.

 

Perfect, thank you!!

 

Thanks for the mention:

Timing chain kits right here: if you need anything else lt me know. Looks like those pieces are off the black color chain guide. Select your MINI from our drop down, then go to the engine section > timing .

Timing Chain Kit

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11311485400KT/



Thanks

 

Found it, thank you! I appreciate the help! I think I'll grab some pads, rotors, plugs and wires from you guys while I'm at it. Thank you!

 

Awesome, welcome.