Hello,
Just started on replacing timing chain and guide, as well as valve stem seal.
This is to record the steps of what I've done.

Here is the list of parts and special tools I've used.

Parts
11667610690 Vacuum pump gasket
13517528408 HPFP gasket
11287604014 Serpentine belt
11287571015 Tensioner pulley DAYCO 89161
11127582400 Valve cover gasket
11217616164 Crank pulley bolt
11117568263 Crank shaft seal
11217588996 Crank sprocket
11367536087x2 Camshaft bolt
11318618318 Timing chain
11317577631 Upper guide rail
11317577301 Guide rail
11317533879 Chain tensioner guide rail
11317534768x2 Guide bolt
11317534771 Guide bolt
11317607551 Chain tensioner
11340033950 Valve stem seal
11341438142 Valve collet -> if necessary

Tools
N18 timing tool kit
N18 serpentine belt tensioner tool
Valve spring compressor tool
Cylinder leak down tester
Torque wrench that can go down to 10NM.

Day 1.
Removed intake and intake tube
Removed U brace/support
Removed ignition coils and spark plugs
Removed valve cover
Removed intercooler charge pipe

 

Looks like your engine has had long oil change intervals? How many miles on the engine?

 

@white46 ,

Where’s your camshaft locking tool? I don’t see it on there.

 

Thanks for documenting this. I am about to dig into the valve seals myself. I have all the tools, just need to find a few days to spare.

Let us know if you hit any snags. I know there are some great videos out there. I am curious how you deal with the intake cam springs, the 2 long videos on Youtube each do it differently.


Good Luck!!

 

It's at 165000km. I do oil changes around 7000km. I do think it's a bit more "baked" color than what I would like it to be.
When I bought this car 2 years ago, I replaced valve cover gasket, and the internals look the same as now, so it could be the previous owner who wasn't on top of oil changes.

This was Day 1 and I wasn't quite there yet.

Yeah. Hopefully this post will help you. I'm taking my time about 3hrs/day, and spanning about a week.

 

Day 2.
Installed flywheel locking pin and cam timing locking tool
Removed intake side Vanos
Removed timing chain tensioner
Removed serpentine belt
Removed crank pulley
Removed engine mount and support bar
Removed friction wheel and belt tensioner
Removed top chain guide
Removed 2 cam gears
Removed 3 tensioner guide pins
Removed timing chain and guide -> the car ran fine before, but VERY surprise to find the guides were broken already. I was really running on borrowed time.
Removed crank seal
Uninstalled cam timing locking tool

 

With the guide coming out like that, you'll probably want to budget time to remove the oil pan and clean it out.

Your Mini should be happy when you're done with this service.

 

No kidding. Totally didn't expect that. The car ran fine prior to removal. It was on its last leg.

 

I just replaced my timing chain and valve guide seals to hopefully reduce oil consumption. I just purchased the car so I’m not sure how much it used before but it looks like it is still consuming a quart every 2600 miles. Not so great. Oh well.

Peter

 

Day 3.
Removed HPFP
Removed vacuum pump
Removed cams

Getting ready for replacing valve stem seal which I've never done before. Exciting time. :D

 

Day 4.
Replaced valve stem seals
Installed eccentric shaft and camshafts
Installed cam timing locking tool
Installed new timing chain

Everything went pretty smooth. All screws are hand tightened for now because found that my torque wrench only goes down to 20NM.
Ordered new torque wrench from Amazon.

 

Nice. How hard was it popping the springs off and getting the retainers back on? Want to come do mine next?

 

Actually. Not bad at all. The first one is always tricky, but after that, quickly learned how to do it.

The tool I used.


And this is how I did.


Also used this youtube video.

 

Day 5.
Installed HPFP
Installed vacuum pump
Installed friction wheel and belt tensioner
Installed crank pulley with new crank seal
Installed serpentine belt
Installed engine mount and support bar
Performed timing
Installed timing chain tensioner
Installed intake side Vanos
Installed valve cover with new gasket
Installed ignition coils and spark plugs
Installed intercooler charge pipe
Installed intake and intake tube

Tomorrow is big day!!!!

 

They have a tool to also remove the springs......I bought one because I need to swap out the intake cam and HPFP.......

 

FWIW, I purchased the fancy Valvotronic spring tool for ~$100 on Amazon, and think the modified screwdriver might be easier to use.

Peter

 

Yeah. I know there is specific tool for this, but didn't look it's any easier.

I saw few videos on how to use the spring tool, and looked very complicate. Now I've done it, definitely think the modified screwdriver method is easier and quicker.

 

Day 6.
Install U brace/support
Fill the coolant -> was drained because I had to replaced a coolant pipe.
Reset variable valve timing adaptation
Knock on wood and fire her up.

YES. She is running well and NO CEL. Fxxk YEAH!
I'll drive her around for a couple of weeks and change the oil.





Here is the video of her running!

 

Oh yeah! It’s great when you dig in like that and then bring it back to life. Nice job, and thanks for sharing the journey.

 

Thanks.
I'm so glad it's all finished without any major hiccups.
I've been driving last couple of days and noticed the engine sound have changed. It could be placebo, but sounds more smooth.

 

I've got a 2012 R56 Mini Cooper (not turbo) with about 90,000 miles on it. I've been told by my local mechanic that I ought to be thinking about replacing the timing chain. Does anyone have any advice as to what's typically accepted as the recommended mileage for this maintenance?
TIA

 

Well, I did mine at around 100,000 miles and as you can see, chain guide was already broken inside.
You should look into it very soon.

 

Excellent question... From my research and experience, there really isn't a recommended interval for the N18 engines. They seem to be built slightly better. For the N14 engines, typically at about 100k miles. HOWEVER, it also depends on the maintenance history of the engine. Those that have been taken care of can go longer. My N18 engine has 185k miles and is still riding the original timing chain. I also change my oil every 5000 miles.

 

So time has come for the oil change, which is good time to drop the oil pan to inspect if there are any broken chain guides.
And.. of course. it was all in the oil pick up tube. There was stuck in there quite a bit.
Finally the timing chain/guide, valve stem seal job is completed.