Hey guys, my wife's 2008 mini (base) started to sound like a diesel, the mechanic said it was the guide of some sort, and or a pulley giving way. I believe this is common with these cars. Can someone tell me what is involved in getting it fixed? I don't want to get fleeced once they have opened my car up. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
On another note, my R53 is running great.

 

Maybe the timing chain is failing?

 

Sounds like its coming from the back of the motor on the passenger side.

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...51&hg=11&fg=25

 

Wow you're describing the same noise I have sometimes (not often though) on passenger side back of engine, mine sounds like a metallic overlapping noise/knock. I had my timing chain replaced not to long ago. I pinpointed it to cylinder #4 intake valve side or back. Perform compression check on the #4 cylinder and it seem fine (at 170 psi) which is great. I'm thinking it could be a lifter tapping.

 

Description sounds like your timing chain guide is destructing (or has already done so). Not common on the normally aspirated engines, but it does happen.

 

Do you guys think i can drive like that for a few more days? I commute over an hour each way a day.

 

Nobody can answer a question like that with 100% certainty, you're taking a chance and you know it.

 

yes but its a guide right, the timing chain wont break.

 

The chain probably won't break, but if this is the problem it will need to be replaced anyway as it has stretched out to be too long.

Probably the bigger risk is that the guide is so deteriorated that the chain will have enough slack to jump off one of the sprockets. When that happens is when you see this problem go from being an expensive annoyance to being a catastrophic engine failure.

Really no way to tell how much risk you are taking by continuing to drive it.

 

Honestly if it was me I wouldn't continue to drive it.. The timing chains are such a horrible weak spot that it could go anytime. Also if you are hearing this rattle/diesel sound you may be pushing it already. The risk is just to high for me. Good luck though.

 

I just had my timing chain replaced last week.. Guides were cracked, plastic deposits were cleaned out of the oil pan. Don't chance it, take it in for repair.
http://www.promini.com/technical/tec...gine-noise.php
Sent from my Note 3 using NAMotoring

 

What is the code for my engine? Its a 2008 non-s.

 

N12

 

Thanks..
For the DIY'ers, where are you guys buying your timing chain kits for these cars??

 

Look what I got when I typed, "mini cooper s r56 timing chain kit" on Google. Lazy?

 

Not as lazy as your response... read my question.
"Where are you guys buying your kits"

 

2008 non-S is an N12, not N14.

 

Your Mini Cooper (base model) has a 1.6 liter N12 engine, it doesn't matter where we buy our parts as long as it's the correct timing chain kit. I purchased my timing chain kit from Irvine Mini, dealers won't have old stock (outdated parts) like some online places do.

 

Outside of the dealers, I'd probably check Detroit Tuning, ECS Tuning and maybe Pelican Parts for the kits.