Hi,
My daughters Mini started making rattle noise, and pretty much sounded like it was falling apart when she pulled up. It is a 2009 Cooper S so I think it is a R56 engine. I did some research and decided to remove the valve cover to get a look. The top tension guide was gone, looks like it had exploded, the chain is still intact and attached but the side guides look like they have possibly failed. The oil tip stick will not insert all the way and you can see it hit the chain due to the guide failure.

Big question, are these non-interference motors? It does technical still run but wouldn't want to test that theory much. Would I be wasting my time and money changing out the timing set? Oil in pan looks good. The exploded guide stuff looks to be cleanable.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

These engines ARE interfering engines. if the car was running fine during the mishap and still running good, i would say STOP the car and get the chain kit replaced and clean out the oil pan. then run engine flush with fresh oil and dump it out. then use fresh oil and you're done.

 

once it jumps timing, it will bend valves, and really get expensive!

 

Real expensive, like it's cheaper to buy another car expensive!

 

lol...it actually depends on who you ask! for me, it is parts only job that i can get cheaper than dealer prices. the job can be done in a weekend!

 

That's assuming that you tackle the job before the chain fails and destroys the engine. When that happens (chain failure) you are stuck with a useless lump under the hood which will set you back huge dollars ($4k if you replace it with a used unknown engine + labor). I've heard a number of stories where they owners dropped upwards of 8 grand getting a decent engine installed in their babies. Heck, you can buy used R56's for 6 grand if you shop around but they will probably need a new timing kit, a carbon blast, new plugs, etc etc...dang this is depressing

 

I did actually do the task AFTER the issue at least five times so far. A full rebuilt assuming the block is good cost me less than 500. I did a rebuilt for NAM member up in IL and it cost him 2500 with shipping to PA and we ended up replacing the started and the vac pump. Im doing another rebuilt for a NAM member down in MD but his block is shot and a piston. When all said and done it will be around 2k to 2500. Both cases are with labor and installation.

 

I am doing an old school rebuild on a r56, new valves, head resurface and timing chain, ect. I don't plan on spending over 1000$ but we'll see. I have done several cars with head gaskets, but I'm new to mini's. Unless you count motorcycles. A N14 is just like a I4 motorcycle engine.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to assume that I will need to purchase the special tools like the engine timing kit to lock the crank and cams. Also, changing out the front seal seems to be recommend. I saw a video of that on youtube but I can find the tool they used to install it.

I figure this will set me back about $500ish in parts and tools. All this may be in vane if the valve are bent.

 

yes you do need the timing set tools. you can find them on ebay. I never had to replace that front main seal! maybe shoud've...lol

once you move the nose 8 inches forward, you are set for nice space to pull the turbo and head.

 

Thanks for the ebay tip, they are a lot cheaper. Is the N12/N14 for the R56 engine?

 

N12/N14 is for 2007 to 2010. it could be hard top, clubman, convertible with Turbos (not super charged). The one i had was black. the chromed tool did not work for me, i had to cut it from one side. do a screen print and attach the image or link to the item to confirm.

 

It is a 2009 Cooper S with the turbo.

 

ok, so the tool should work. i have one similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Mini-Coo...451391&vxp=mtr

but when i bought it three years ago it was much cheaper. the other ones i bought too but the piece that attaches to the exhaust was hitting the shield. At the time i was novice and new nothing lol...

 

What are your thoughts on this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pc-BMW-N12-N14-Mini-Cooper-Engine-Camshaft-Alignment-Timing-Tool-Set-Free-Ship/122051206209?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D737afd5c52a44d00b0ea3706343376ef%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D29%26sd%3D282197965072

 

Check with your closest Mini dealer. BMW has settled a lawsuit over this in the USA. Look at the link I posted.

https://www.forthepeople.com/class-a...chain-lawsuit/

 

I bought this one from Ebay. I live in Canada and BMW would not cover my daughter's 2009 Mini S. I ended up fixing it myself. You can PM me if you want with your phone number and I would call you about the issues I had fixing it.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BMW-N12-N14-M...item51d5c42c06

 

That is the one i got and had to cut. Maybe i was supposed to take the turbo heat sheild off first.

 

Was this the part that you had to trim :

 

Lol...yes.

 

I had to grind the small tab on the end to get it to fit. i also had to use a different bolt on this part because it was a hex head into a round hole. One of the bolts should have been an allen bolt.

 

Is this tool necessary or optional but nice to have?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...&I1.x=9&I1.y=9

 

I never used it. You can find it on ebay for alot cheaper there is another tool is worth getting. I dont know the number or if it even for sale but it is like a bracket the mounts in place of the belt tentioner that holds the block when you take the head off

 

Since the engine was running, Right now I'm planning to clean it up and just replace the timing set. I figure it will be a good start point for me to get back into working on engines. I'm building a project list on Pelican parts and plan to post it for any input on parts I might need or should replace.

 

Check rmeuropean.com they got great prices. The kit will run you about 110 (5 pieces)