Does the mini have a timing belt or chain ??
If its a belt, what is the replacement interval ?

Thanks in advance
Chris
02 Cooper ( 57K happy miles )

 

>>Does the mini have a timing belt or chain ??
>>If its a belt, what is the replacement interval ?
>>
>>Thanks in advance
>>Chris
>>02 Cooper ( 57K happy miles )

It's a chain.

 

>>Does the mini have a timing belt or chain ??
>>If its a belt, what is the replacement interval ?
>>
>>Thanks in advance
>>Chris
>>02 Cooper ( 57K happy miles )


Wow! you have a TON of miles!!! Congrats!!

Yes the 1.6L TRITEC engine uses a metal Timing Chain. I believe the inspection intervals range between 100K and 150K miles. Don't worry the beauty of metal chains is they don't require constant replacement or maintenance, unlike rubber timing belts in most Asian made cars such as Hondas and Toyotas (Ugh!) that require a costly timing belt replacement every 60K to 90K miles.

 

Thanks guys for the info....
It just occured to me this morning as i hit the 57,000 mile mark about the cam drive configuration. I was kind of figuring it was chain since BMW did away with belts with the M20 & M42 motors, but since chrsyler had a hand in the design, i was unsure.

thanks again
chris

 

Is it an interference engine?

It's not only Asian made cars that have timing belts. Probably more like 80% of all the cars on the road use TBs, including some European makes (VW, for one). Belts are quieter than chains, and are easier to replace. Chains will at least start to make a loud racket when they get close to failing. Some Saturns I believe, used chains and experience some catastrophic failures that did extensive engine damage.

 

>>Is it an interference engine?
>>
>>

I would bet that it is, especially the Cooper engine with its 10.6:1 compression ratio. The S engine compression ratio is only 8.3:1.

Not that compression ratio is the be all end all indicator of whether an engine is an interference engine or not but it can give you a rough idea. Generally the higher the compression ratio, the closer the pistons get to the same space the valves may also occupy.

 

>>02 Cooper ( 57K happy miles )

Wow! This has to be the highest recorded mileage of all MINI's.

Sorry to hijack this thread. Please don't flame me too bad... :???:

 

>>Is it an interference engine?
>>
>>It's not only Asian made cars that have timing belts. Probably more like 80% of all the cars on the road use TBs, including some European makes (VW, for one). Belts are quieter than chains, and are easier to replace. Chains will at least start to make a loud racket when they get close to failing. Some Saturns I believe, used chains and experience some catastrophic failures that did extensive engine damage.


Timing belts require replacement on 60K to 90K mile intervals. This is an expensive repair procedure ($500+) as the engine needs to be lifted sideways to access the belts. They might be quieter but not cheaper or practical.

I have had cars with timing chains (My 2001 Chevy Impala LS 3.8L V6 had one) and absolutely ZERO problems. Timing chains are more durable now days and are making a comeback in most new cars.

Also I have heard about catasthropic engine failures in Hondas with timing belts, so what's your point?

 

The point is that timing chains are not bullet proof, contrary to what you might expect. Both can fail prematurely. The timing chain itself and the cost to replace it is still significant and more than a single timing belt replacement (but likely replaced in half the frequency).

I wasn't defending timing belts, I was just stating the facts.