Can anyone please answer this question!? On a 2003 mini cooper s,when removing the head,can I just unbolt the cam gear from the cam and remove the head? I have turned the crank so that the 2 holes in the cam gear are at the top and the shiny link is centered at 12 o'clock. please help!

 

Losen the cam sproket nut.
Losen the cam chain tensioner.
When there is plenty of slack in chain, you will be able to remove it.
The cam sprocket will slip out under the chain.
You will also have to remove the 2 chain guides.

 

thanks for the reply.So does this mean that the timing front cover need to be removed as well?or are you talking about removing the two guide bolts that are in the way of removing the front head bolts?This is my first time tearing down a mini cooper and I was trying to relate it with a toyota 22r engine head removal where I could just get a long screwdriver and reach down to the tensioner from the top,pry on it to compress it and pop off the cam sprocket.I was worried that I would have to buy an expensive tool.

 

When you remove timing chain guides there will be plenty of slack in chain to remove the cam sprocket, and then get access to the 2 head bolts.
You won't need any special tools until you reassemble the engine.
I would recommend putting a hook (I use a coat hanger) to hold to on the timing chain so it doesn't drop into the cover assy.
Why are you pulling the head?

 

I am removing the head due to a possible blown head gasket.The oil is milky and was losing coolant at a steady rate.Hopefully it is not a cracked head.Another shop did the head gasket job 1000 miles ago and used an aftermarket gasket.From what I heard,anything other than oem head gaskets are insufficient.What special tool are you talking about for re-installation?

 

You will need a cam sprocket holder to tighten the cam bolt to torque it down.
Shame the shop that did the work won't cover the rework.
OEM head gaskets are the best to use.
Make sure that you have got all of the contaminated oil out.