Just a Q for those slightly modded folk:

When going to the dealership to have this service done, are you returning aftermarket intake back to stock?

I have an AEM Intake along with a catch can with one of the breather holes capped. I'm afraid that the dealer will deny service due to the engine modifications.

 

My car went in for this repair today. They also are replacing the heat shield. I do have the NM Shield so I wonder if they will take it off.

I asked if the dealer would provide me the old parts and they stated they have to ship them to MINI for verification of work. Would have loved to see the condition of the chain and tensioner. I asked to at least get a picture and they will "try" to do that.

So far the process has been smooth. Partially waiting for them to tell me I have other issue that need to be addressed but time will tell.

 

Took my 07 MCS with Stage 1 JCW in today after receiving the same letter as well.

The good:
The SA told me that they would only replace it all if the tensioner is original and/or the chain measurement is "excessive of 71mm." They also added in a turbo line heat shield...not a general heat shield which i believe the previous posts talked about. (i could be wrong). Anyway, my MCS fulfilled what they required to go ahead with changing it, which saved me a potential ~$1750 bill.

The bad:
SA told me that my valve cover is faulty and is leaking all around. I admit I noticed oil towards the front, but I thought it was because of me carelessly filling the oil from time to time, and not cleaning it as well as I should. I guess it truly was the valve cover...maybe? The valve cover was replaced with a "updated" one with a totally different part number. No MINI wings emblems or other decals. I even lost my badging to the JCW tuning kit with serial number that was installed.

Question to my fellow Motorers:
Although I may be a little too late by already paying for the valve cover, would I have a case if I brought it up with MINI USA that the valve cover could have cracked/warped due to the faulty timing chain/tensioner? Since its located under the valve cover, wouldnt a faulty timing chain/tensioner contribute to excessive heat and/or vibrations that could lead to cracking the plastic valve cover?

I am no way mechanically inclined and I may be just wishful, but I think I may be on to a possible cause. Thoughts anyone?

 

I thought I read somewhere that they changed the tolerance back to 68mm.

 

Got mine back yesterday, changed the tensioner and measured the chain, put the heat shield on, fluid checks and wash job, cranked in cool this morning, Much better. Now onto the cracked strut mounts they found.....

 

Shaolin92 -

Here is the thread with the part number and the missing items from the valve cover , with the newest valve cover part for the N14 engine.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ment-help.html

"I even lost my badging to the JCW tuning kit with serial number that was installed."

Here is the install PDF from the JCW R56 Tuning Kit.

If you go down to the parts over view on page 1. Part overview , you can see G , H, and I parts. Then go to page 4 installing emblems , you can see the last picture, if they have the old valve cover , they might be able to recover it, because they are numbered. Say try to peal it back, with a heat gun, pull the stud and reuse it on the new one. Worth a try. You can see the little brass nut insert on the right hand side of the new cover in my links.

Good luck and hope that helps.

 

I had my valve cover changed last night and the same thing happened, lost the MINI emblem etc.

I called MINI of the Main Line today and they confirm my car was a part of this service campaign so It will be in for service on Monday, question to those who have had the repair done, did it cost you any money?

 

I will be picking my car up today from Mini- Las Vegas. No charge for any of the work done. Replaced timing chain, tensioner and heat shield. However, they would not give me the old parts for inspection nor take any pictures of the work. That is a bit annoying. There was also no mention of any other problems they had to fix so the car must be in tip top shape for them to say that.

 

I think it's ridiculous that my dealer won't give me a loaner vehicle for the 2+ hr diagnostic. Why should I have to take off work for them to inspect a problem noted by mini? Lol

He told me that I need to schedule an appointment for it to get checked out. If they determine that work needs to be done, then they'll give me a loaner. Last time I was in for an oil leak (faulty front main seal they replaced 2 months earlier) it was supposed to be a 2 hr job and it took 5+ because they were backed up.

 

My 09 was fine according to the dealer. They're fixing my thermostat per the dealer warranty as my heater doesn't work right. They're also replacing the heat shield and they're looking the the timing chain anyways. They have had it for 3 days now but I can't complain since I got a free loaner paceman S all4 till I get my car back ^_^

 

Took my car in this morning, After waiting for 2 hours was informed the car needs a whole new timing chain so I was given a loaner and was told I could pick it up tomorrow morning.

 

To my surprise I got a call from Mini on The Mainline around 5pm that my car was finished so I picked it up, so far so good.

 

I don't need a letter, I got the rattle...

My MINI is booked in next week for the timing chain replacement as the current one has wore greater than 68mm (as per diagnosis on invoice). They've ordered a 'kit' to perform the replacement; not quite sure what exactly that consists of.

They replaced the heat shield while in for the timing chain diagnosis.

It sounds like you guys get off lightly with the loaners... are they even MINI/BMW vehicles? I think it's ridiculous that my local dealer can't offer me a loaner vehicle unless I book a month ahead... especially when my MINI is going in for factory warranty work.

 

I had a 13 Countrman S.. Honestly kind of hated it? lol it felt too much like a regular car.

 

The timing chain campaign is # #0011080300. The new heat shield is # 0011170300. Had both mine done, totally free, last week at MINI of Richmond (VA). Chain measured 70mm on my '08 R55 (Clubman S) with 35.5k miles. Even put in a new multirib belt. Had a very pronounced death rattle. Haven't gotten the letter yet.

 

My chain/tensioner were replaced under warranty back in Feb 2012 and I haven't gotten a letter. Guess they know I already have the good stuff!

 

I'm curious. Does the heat shield replacement involve removing the turbo coolant lines? When they did the aux cooler, they told me my lines were worn and needed replacing and I told them not to do it. Don't feel like dealing with that again for a simple recall.
Just got my timing chain done earlier this year under 3rd party warranty when I first got my mini. Only cost me a 100 bucks.

 

Heat shield is for the turbo oil line.

 

Heat shield just clips on the oil return line to the turbo right at the turbo and has a pliable metal reinforced asbestos (or similar) high temp fabric section that you wrap around the line for the last 4 inches. Takes all of 5 minutes to do, but the car has to be cool to do so if you bring it in for service that takes longer than the job. They handed me the part when I asked and I actually installed it my self, it's a no brainer. But then I work with high temp shielding at work all the time. I would have put my own shield on, and wrapped the whole line (still may) had I know this was a issue when I bought the car. Of course I've only put 15k miles on it since I bought it 3 1/2 years ago, and its had 4 oil changes in that time.

 

yayyyyy I got the letter today I feel like I'm going to ***** wonka's factory or something

I hope I get a challenge cooper as a loaner. or an aston martin. it better not be another g'damn Ford Fiesta holy sh*t that car made my mini's interior feel like a full size pickup.

 

Took my 07' MCS in to South Bay Mini for recall work and an expensive oil change. I got the letter and at the same time, the rattling sound had recently gotten worse.
One thing to note- when I took in my car, the first thing they did when doing their walk around was report the oil level. Mine was 1 qt low and I thought that was the end of it. Top up your oil before bringing your car to the dealer.

I told them I had already changed the tensioner on my own dime, and asked they check it along with the slack in the timing chain.

Just got word this morning that my car is ready to go, all recall work has been performed, car has a fresh $200 oil change, AND they changed out the chains and all components. Hats off to Halton M at South Bay Mini. They also offered a loaner which I declined since I had an expired DL.

TLDR; Got a $200 oil change, Mini changed my rattling timing chains and performed all recall work.

 

Besides oil and a filter what else do you get with a $200 oil change? My dealer is like $95. But I am too cheap for that. I do my own.

 

Honestly nothing except knowing the dealer has on file that you pay full price for oil changes and hopefully they take that into account when you need future work.

 

I was adjusting the headlights the other night and think I heard the chain slapping around in there. its the first time I've heard it then again its the first time I've listened to the engine with the hood open and while cold. does the sound get louder to the point where you can hear it while inside the car with the hood open or closed while outside?

 

Gabe, why yes it does get louder as it gets worse. Do some searches on here and on YouTube for the mini Cooper death rattle