What’s up guys long time follower first time poster. I have a 03 cooper s. Melted a piston, removed the head and cleaned all the components up! In doing so I washed off my mark off the cam sprocket, now I’m lost at how to put everything at top dead center. It has a craven 2% crank pulley with no timing marks to line up with block, I have read lots of things about the different colored links in the timing chain but still I’m lost please help!!

 

Can't wash it off it is a triangle stamped into the sprocket.
Need to pull the oil pump to see the timing marks on the crank timing gear.

Once you can see all the marks the rest is easy...align the 2 links on the chain with the crank gear...the other single link with the cam mark...tighten cam bolt down...install the chain tensioner and release the tensioner spring. Put everything all back together!!!

At the end of this page you will see what you need to look for>>>
https://new.minimania.com/part/NMK96...n1-R50-R52-R53

 

Is there a technique for releasing the chain tensioner from service mode after you have installed it? I tried while changing my chain guides but could not get it to pop with a screw driver. Ended up just putting it all back together and starting the car to get it to pop.

 

It's like a touch latch on a cabinet...just compress it (and the chain guide) towards the tensioner and let it go..it should just fully extend at that point.