Hi yall,

My supercharged 05 Cooper S has had lifter tick for a while. Recently, I'm feeling a definite loss of power. With 126k miles on the clock, and my aggressive driving, I'm sure the camshaft and lifters are worn out. I'm planning on replacing both this upcoming weekend. This is my first time doing this on any car. Is there anything else I should replace while I'm down there? Anything I should watch out for?

 

Replace the chain tensioner while it's out (save the old one in a baggie for an emergency spare)

Do you have a Cam locking tool (while not entirely necessary, it does help)
-If not, here's a great deal on Amazon that includes a Crank Pulley install tool-

Do you have a resource for torque specs and bolt removal and install sequence?

I would soak the rocker assemblies ahead of time. (They say it's not "needed" but is just good practice on any hydraulic lifter)

Have s couple of small bungee cords and zip ties handy (for the chain and Cam Gear) plus a paint marker is nice to have.

Anything abbot actual procedure, let me know.

 

Ah, I actually replaced the timing chain tensioner a few thousand miles ago. I guess I should have waited. I'll take a look at that tool. You mean soaking the rocker assemblies in engine oil correct? I do have the Bentley service manual, so yes, but any additional resources would of course be appreciated.

 

Correct, Engine oil.
Bentley will cover you in that front.
And if it hasn't been that long, go ahead and reuse the tensioner piston, shouldn't be an issue at all.

Good Luck, it's actually a fairly easy job, just take care too keep the chain tension tight with the bungee cords and you should be fine.
I've done the job so many times it only takes me a little over an hour, bonnet open to bonnet closed.
I can give you a basic how too later tonight after I get home if you like.
Just ask.

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If you could give me the basics that would be awesome.

 

Last time I changed cam(s) was 45+ yrs ago on my from-new '74 Alfa GTV (how did I get so old?) owned 25 yrs.
So then, I have no direct experience in that specific respect with the W11 engine...

OTOH, forum member @Mod-Mini's video showing procedure and tips covers "the basics" and should be very helpful:

 

i just recently did this on a post

 

Sorry, long days...

The Mod Mini video covers most of it...
Couple of things I'll add:

-As soon as I pull the rocker cover I like to tear a paper towel in half and use each piece to plug the two ( forward and rear) oil galleries in the Head, to remove the chance of dropping something in there. (I use two halves because they are large enough to not risk pushing through the holes, and are also large enough to be a little in the way, so you don't forget to pull them right before the rocker cover goes back on)

-If you don't have the Cam Locking Tool, it really doesn't matter where the gear is as far as timing goes, just mark the gear and chain at a point and make sure it goes back in that position.
Car in gear will hold the engine in place enough for the loosening and re-torque of the Cam bolt.

-If you like, instead of pulling the gear from the chain, you can zip tie it to the chain and suspend them both from the bungee as a set. This also keeps you from having to work the gear out and back in the chain, lessening the risk of accidentally letting the chain get too slack and skipping a tooth at the crank. (Not a big risk, but just one more thing to not have to worry about)

-After the rocker assemblies are back in place (but before they are tightened) look at every single one to make sure you haven't lost a lifter cap and nylon retaining cup, with all the fiddling you have to some times do with aligning the rockers on the shafts exactly in place, they can some times come off without noticing.

-Also mark one end of the shaft to be absolutely certain you don't accidentally reverse them while installing the new rocker assemblies on them. (It's been a while since I did rocker assemblies and if I remember correctly there are oil passages that have to line up, but don't quote me on it, besides, it can't hurt.)

-Anti-Sieze is a good idea on the 4 upper motor mount to block bolts.

I think that's it, if I remember anything else I'll add it.

 

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm going to give it a shot this Wednesday and I will post an update.

 

So it took me a bit longer than expected to get all the parts, but I finally gave it a shot today. After everything, unfortunately, the car won't start. It doesn't even sound like it's trying to. It's almost as if someone pulled all the spark plugs out, all it does is crank. My first thought was I messed up the timing, but I was very careful and am I correct in assuming that even if timing is off, the engine should still start? So can I rule that out?

I'm going to pull the plugs tomorrow and see if they are sparking, but is there anything else I should check that I could have messed up?

 

Just read the codes and I'm getting P0340. Is the camshaft position sensor easily damaged on removal? I have about 75,000 miles on this sensor.

 

Just checked, and I'm still getting spark. Looks like I'm going to have to try changing out that sensor.

 

i recently did the rmw head and when putting everything back my chain tensioner did not kick in when I cranked causing my car to go out of time. It indeed started and idled but it idled very very rough.

i don’t think anyone here has said anything about engaging the chain tensioner after you have the cam sprocket and chain hooked up and screwed in.

in order to do that, grab a long thin metal rod of some sort, stick it down where the chain meets the crank sprocket and start prying on the side closest to the cabin. What your trying to do is engage the timing tensioner so that when you crank, your chain doesn’t come out of time. In short, yes your car is capable of starting when out of time. Yet it also depends on how much your car is out of time. I suggest removing your valve cover and checking your cam sprocket to see if your out of time.

if you are not timed message me and I’ll help you throughout timing the whole engine.
Goodluck!