08 Cooper S, 54kmi, 2x the recommended oil changes, never abused, used for a 80 a day commute.

Felt a loss of power, & a little more then normal noise. Thought it was a bad tank of gas, or HPFP.

3 days later, it sounds like a Semi Truck, took it to the dealer, yup, timing chain is gone!

Out of warranty repair, just over $1900!!!! I called MINI USA to see if they will cover it in good faith.

What do you think my chances are?

 

One has to wonder why this matter continues to present in these highly priced fun cars? Is it a engineering/technical matter or quality control/assurance at the factory OR some of each?

 

OMG! What a PITA!!! Best of luck...

 

my wife wonders why i'm nervous about being out of warranty in 4k miles

 

Did you ever have the updated tensioner installed?

Seems like a good preventive measure, and they don't cost much, especially compared to a chain failure and the associated damage.

I can't believe that in 54K miles your tensioner never gave you a warning, it sounds like you drove it making noise for three days? That's like driving with the oil light on and waiting for it to get brighter or something! I guess most people don't know what that sound is or why it's important.

I think anyone who has an '07-'09 Cooper S should be in asking for a new tensioner, or buying one and replacing theirs if it wasn't done under warranty.

Extra oil changes have little or nothing to do with keeping this part from failing, but they may keep you from buying a turbo.....

 

Don't think they ever changed out the tensioner.

It just started to make slightly more noise then normal. Not enough to really make you think. We both really thought it was bad gas or the HPFP. Then I had a chance to check it out, & in 3 days it went from slightly louder then normal, to OMG what is making that noise. Weirdly, when cold, it sounded & drove fine. It was only after being warmed up it would make noise, & the noise was most noticeable between 1800-2400 after that it sounded normal. At first it sounded a lot more like pining then timing chain noise.

 

Good news, MIN USA covered 85% of the bill!! We just paid for an oil service, & new alt belt, then some other small things.

It makes me very happy that MINI stepped up! Now I'm covered for 2 years from the Dealership warranty on their work!

 

That's awesome. It gives me some peace of mind that not everyone is getting screwed over.

 

Lost mine last Friday. Sorry bro! It sucks. I only had 13k on a 2010.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tensioner.html

 

Groupe FACEBOOK "Pour que PSA/BMW prennent en charge avaries & casses du THP - GTi/RC"

--> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108738409151303

Une pétition internationale :

http://distributionthp.free.fr/


In order that all of the PSA Group cars manufacturers (Peugeot and Citroen) & BMW Motors Group, are supporting 100% of the THP engine breakage (Turbo+ timing chain) + power loss on acceleration + cold-start problem

 

That was how my failed tensioner manifested itself. There are a few other posts from owners like me who did not experience the classic "cold start rattle" which is the usual sign of a failing tensioner.

@ Mabbottusmc - your failure is a different one from the tensioner failing from what I can tell in your posts. Your problem involved the tensioner backing out.

From watching the forums and posts, it appears the problem with the tensioners backing out only started recently and seems to correspond with a new tensioner "fix" to address the cold start rattle problem, although it could be coincidence.

 

Got an english version of this ?

 

Wow, MINI USA and my dealership told me to get blanked!

 

Stealth 993
what kind of sound did you get before the it went ?

 

Ya I'd also like to know what sound to listen for. I just picked up my used mini with 54k on it and it does have a ticking when the engine is idling. Not loud and i wouldn't classify it as a "rattle" just a ticktickticktick. No other problems seem to be present other than possible a leak in boost pressure, but thats another post for me....

So how would you describe the tensioner sound?

 

The ticking sounds is normal.

In my case (with the sound coming on when the engine was warmed up), the sound is like gravel in the motor being spun around. Quite loud and noticeable. I'm pretty sure the cold start sounds the same - just occurs under different circumstances. Although I believe some have described it more like a loud diesel engine sound. If you do a search, you should be able to find some threads where folks captured videos (w/ sound) of the rattle.

 

It's a very distinct noise, and sounds exactly like what it is - a chain dragging on the inside of the block. It follows the engine speed - so the higher the revs, the higher the sound of the chain. Mine would go away suddenly when the tensioner pressurized..... and it was most noticeable from about 1500-3000 rpm.

 

...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQZ_0iJxCY&sns=em

 

I have the ticking noise too. I heard it last night when I pulled into my garage. If it's normal, does everyone experience this? If so, what is actually making the ticking sound?

 

There should be some ticking noise, it's the direct injection. If you can hear it inside the car with out listing for it, then it's time to have the dealer look at it.

 

Thanks Stealth. Can't hear it inside the car, only when I got out. I still get nervous with these engines though, I've had the car for a year and a half and I still don't truly know what a healthy MINI engine is suppose to sound like. I just don't want the Timing Chain/Tensioner issue to sneak up on me.

 

do you think the ticking i posted (4 posts up) normal then?

 

Really hard to tell, if you are concerned about it, have the dealer look at it.

 

dealer said it sounded bad, then called and said they added some oil and it's fine now. that doesn't exactly make sense, to me at least