This afternoon after playing a round of golf, I started my car and immediately heard what sounded like timing chain slap. I immediately shut the engine off and checked the oil, which was full. Since I couldn't see anything obvious and I was about an hour from home, I restarted the car. The noise was still there but I decided to risk it and drove home. Once in the garage, I pulled the valve cover but everything seemed in pretty good shape with no broken rails or guides. The chain appears tight as well. As the sound was definitely coming from the timing chain area, I will go ahead and replace the parts. I tried finding a kit in Canada but had no success. It seems that I will have to place the order with one of the vendors here on the site.

Before I order, I just want to make sure I am getting everything I need which should be the timing chain kit, and new valve cover gasket set. Is there anything else that I may need?

Thanks,

 

Not sure if the kit comes with bolts for the cam gears or not but if you take them off you will need to replace them.

 

Chain, guide rails, 2xcam shaft bolts, 1x crank shaft bolt (all new bolts are essential as cannot use old ones). 3xguide rail bolts (or just new seals), uprated chain tensioner, lower sprocket (crankshaft), some replace the vanos/cam sprockets too but not essential. Cam/timing kit with crank holding tool/pin and dummy tensioner. 27mm open end spanner. Angle guage for torque. Crankshaft hub holding tool (make your own by drilling three 9mm holes in something strong enough - google the MINI tool to see what you are looking for). Trolley jack to support engine. New valve cover gasket and gasket sealant for the corners. 4 x straws or wire all same length to put into cylinders to ensure pistons are all alligned.
Methodical instructions. Beer assistant, music, lots of disposable gloves, swear box
Oh and you'll need a new crank shaft hub seal.

 

 

Thanks very much for the detailed list. I will do a bit of research to get the best deals I can and order the parts. I hope to get started early next week. (I am playing in a Provincial golf tournament for the next few days)

 

 

Is the camshaft locking tool and the crank pin the same as the ones for the N18 engine, or is it the one for the n12/n14 engine? I can't seem to find any reference for the n16 engine.

 

 

 

Here you go:
Engine Timing Tool Set For BMW N13/N16, Mini Cooper N18 OEM 117 440, 119 340, 496 709, 119 590

 

Thanks for the info but I am still a bit confused. Our vendors seem to have different ideas:

https://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME...-r57-2007-2010

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-baum-too...19550plus~btu/

 

 

Just a quick update for anyone who may need to do the timing chain on the N16 engine. The timing tool set is indeed the one for the N12/N14 engine. I purchased this one from amazon:


The price is in $Cdn. I did have to sand down the crank pin a bit in order to get it to fit. Everything else worked perfectly. I am still waiting for parts to arrive. Due to the current NAFTA stuff going on, I decided to get everything in Canada to avoid customs hassles.

Updates to follow.

Denis

 

N16 or N18 engine?

 

 

 

 

 

Disaster averted. I managed to to get the broken bolt out. There was a very small burr on the broken part that I repeatedly tapped on till it started to move. It took about 30 minutes but it is out. Now I can get a new bolt and get the car back up and running.

 

 

 

What videos did you use as a resource online?

 

Google "mini cooper n12 timing chain replacement"

You will find several videos, there are none for the N16 engine. I just watched a few when questions came up.