Glad to hear about great service.

I am interested if anybody has had problems with the timing chain and tensioner after the warranty/recall and authorized MINI service repair with the updated replacement parts. I hope they solved this problem.

I must say that sometimes these S models sound like a diesel. I don't know if that is normal or if it is the sound of a timing chain that is way too loose, tapping against things it should not.

 

I don't know about longevity, but I got the car back this morning...there is NO clatter from the engine whatsoever; it sounds like a different engine, the before/after difference is so great.

There are two pretty faint "tapping noises" you should hear: one is the lifters, and they aren't that loud. The other is the direct injectors firing gas into the cylinders; they aren't very loud either.

Any "diesel" noise upon startup likely means the chain is stretched/tensioner is failing. I was so used to it and kept hearing MINI's explanation previously: "It takes a few secs for it to go away, it's a loud engine, etc."

BS.

If you hear ANYTHING that sounds clattery like a diesel engine, from the moment you hit that start button, it needs to go to the shop pronto. Mine has been making that noise for the 25K/18mos I've owned it and I thought it was normal the whole time. The work order showing all the replaced parts, the almost 69mm timing chain deflection (showing the factor of stretch) AND that they had to remove the oil pan to remove pieces of the timing chain guide rail cassette are testament otherwise, in spite of what MINI had been saying for 5 years or more. If they say otherwise, get the key for any '13-'14 "S" model on the lot and see what that engine sounds like when you start it. Whisper quiet, guaranteed, and it's basically the same motor. I couldn't believe how quiet the loaner was compared to mine. And then when I got mine back, it was that quiet too.

Also, in the "over-and-above" category for customer service, I left a VERY expensive pair of sunglasses in the loaner (like a couple hundred $ expensive AND a sentimental gift from my awesome GF). Josh and Steven contacted the lady who took the loaner next and got them back for me. Again, top-notch customer service from the guys in the Tempe MINI Service Dept.

 

The dieseling noise at startup happens because of the fact that the fuel injectors are under immense pressure from the HPFP, it's the high fuel pressure and direct injection design that causes the dieseling noise which is normal.

 

If you want an amusing read, check out the original Johnny Bravo thread that I have been replying to about Mini of Las Vegas and their service department. I am being told by other board members that the faulty tensioner and broken chains are not a design issue. And from what I am seeing the loaner car is dealer specific. So those of you who received warranty service for faulty timing chains and loaner cars really really lucked out. My tensioner has been replaced three times in the last four years and even that didnt stop my car from breaking timing chain guides and costing over 2k to fix.

 

Just out of curiosity, what do you mean by " dealer specific " ?

 

Dealer specific means the dealer in Vegas and many in Los Angeles will not provide loaner cars. I did have an SA at Nick Alexander one time offer me a car after I browsed the comment form. I had the car in for a variety of things and he stated and I quote "if you get the alarm installed here I will throw in a loaner car for free". Most dealerships I have come across will either make you wait or offer a shuttle. It sounds like many midwest dealers and southern dealers have a loaner car program.

 

I had a little problem with the dealer who did my timing chain after the fact, but once I spoke to the right person, things are fine now and I feel like an informed customer rather than a number.

 

A few years ago, on this forum, I read a post that said that there was a bad batch of timing chains in '09. The OEM manufacturer made them slightly too long. I can't find that post now, I don't know where to start looking. The longer chain tensioner was the factory fix for the longer timing chain, but it also would work for some worn chains. I suspect that the approximately 27,000 cars included in the service advisory are in the range that MINI believes had the too long chains. It looks like this is not a design flaw, only a manufacturing defect.

This is all information I have gleaned from this forum over the years, so it is only as accurate as internet forums can be.

Dave

 

Chains were going bad before 09.

 

Finally called the dealer about this and wanted to update everyone. For some reason, my '07 R56 doesn't fall under this service campaign. The Service Adviser wasn't sure why, and had me call Mini about it. I called them, they claim that my car was built with the correct part installed. They said that even though I am having the same rattling symptoms as every car getting the tensioner replaced, mine will not be covered. The woman I spoke with on the phone was very nice and apologetic about it, but said that there was nothing she could do. My car only has 44k miles, I'm not about to shell out the money to fix it myself when this is obviously a manufacturer defect. May just be time to sell the car.

 

Take it up the chain at MINI USA. The customer service reps only go off the manual they're given, but higher ups should have leeway in making a decision.

 

Yeah, it is selective. Their first wave of "recalls" or service bulletins as they like to call them only affects 27000 cars. There may be a second wave, but not sure yet. My tensioner has been replaced THREE times. Even that didnt stop the chain from stretching and the timing rail guides from breaking. I had to shell out 2k in repairs because mine didnt fall under the campaign either. I have owned 2 Coopers, both with bad timing chains and tensioners. They will apologize to the end of the earth about it but in the end do absolutely nothing. Others on this board who have not experienced the same issue are arguing this is not a design issue and therefore if your car is out of warranty you are SOL. I dont agree, obviously. If my car suddenly started having timing chain issues at the 75k mark I am at, that would be one thing, but my car has had timing chain issues and replaced tensioners (by the dealer) since I bought it. Alot of people have extended warranties on their cars. I did not have the foresight to buy one. Lesson learned on my part. There is no logic as to why one car falls under the service campaign and another doesnt. And Mini USAs explanations also dont make sense. A tensioner is a tensioner is a tensioner. They have been redesigned over the last four years to correct the timing chain slop issue, but none have worked. Yours was the first design based on your year and theoretically the first to fail. But apparently not. I am writing letters as we speak to Mini and BMW about this.

 

I have a feeling that before they do anything about it they'll want me to have the dealer check it out first, and it's too much of a hassle to drive back and forth (3 hours each way) having them look at it without knowing it will for sure be repaired.

 

I finally contacted the dealer that did my fix (from a few pages ago on this thread), out of pocket $1.9k on my 10 JCW - my mini is apparently not affected by the pseudo recall and was due to my negligence in checking oil level (despite an oil change 4000 miles previously)...

They are at least preparing a case to ask Mini corporate.

 

I don't understand that answer. My '07 fell under the recall and the whole assembly was replaced just before new years. Even got a loaner '14 Countryman S. I don't see how yours could have the updated part installed if it (the recall) was covering the N14's made between '07 and '10. My car was produced Aug '07, so unless they put the right part in the earlier production cars and then screwed up for the next three years, it just doesn't track. Keep making noise, maybe the right person will hear you and take care of it.

 

I personally know of people whose cars were on the recall notice that did not have issues with their chains or tensioners. Yet many of us who have suffered through this issue are not getting attention from Mini even though, like myself, have gone through the fixes prescribed by the manufacturer. My 08 Cooper S got a new tensioner in 2009, then a new chain a year later. A year after that, the motor seized because of a broken timing chain. My 08 Clubman S has had three, count em, THREE tensioners since I bought it in 08. And still had broken timing guides and a stretched chain just a month and a half ago. This is what is baffling, they have records of multiple fixes on the car, yet will not honor any repairs other than out of pocket. If your car is not on that list, and the dealer doesnt wanna help you, you are screwed. This was the situation in my case. It went all teh way to Mini USA. They did nothing. Literally they said and I quote "the case has been closed and there is nothing we can do to help you".

 

If your car has broken three timing chains, perhaps there is something else wrong. Maybe a defective head?

Dave

 

No, not three broken timing chains, they have replaced three tensioners. First tensioner originally installed at the factory allowed the chain to slap after a year and a half. Second tensioner was longer and took up the slack a bit but also failed. Third redesigned tensioner from Mini also lasted about a year. The last tensioner (third one installed) failed and the timing chain guides broke and also allowed the chain to stretch to the point that it was detrimental to to engine. My feeling is if the chain had been replaced with the second tensioner, I would not have had to have a third installed nor a new chain and gears. Has nothing to do with the head. The new timing chains they are putting in are also redesigned. Faulty engineering (design issue) of the original timing chain assembly. I know that phrase seems to rile people up but no other way to explain it. All brand new dealer installed parts. But Mini USA wants to get these cars fixed for the lowest possible cost. They will not install a part as a preventative measure. At least not my dealer. Case in point, oil filter housing is leaking oil. They want over 1k to fix. Told him I couldnt do it but bought the parts from him (dealer). When I got them, there was just the gasket for the housing to the block. There is also a gasket from the housing to the heat exchanger. For an extra 20 bucks could have replaced that as well. I ended up ordering the parts from Way this week and gonna do it all myself next Monday. They charge top dollar but only do the bare minimum...Just the way it is

 

Dnepr. With the sidecar? I used to have a CJ750 all tricked out in Panzer Grey. Man I miss that thing...I know.. off topic

 

This is current as of Jan, 2014
David Duncan

Patrick McKenna

Thomas Salkowsky

Sadir Haji

I am writing to all of these people this weekend. They get enough letters like mine and yours, maybe someone will pull their head out of their a** long enough to address this instead of letting the drones at Mini customer service run us around...

Gonna find the BMW people as well. God I love the internet. Give me some more time and I will list some addresses as well

 

even better. If you go to this page

http://www.autonews.com/section/exec...e?template=m-p

and mouse over the names of the Mini ranking party members, it will give you an address and phone number!

 

Yes!

 

x

 

Nope.

The injector noise/HPFP sounds nothing like a diesel. Now that the clatter is gone from my car, there's NO noise that sounds like a can full of rocks rattling around. None. Again, you should hear the injectors/HPFP pulsing and the lifters tapping, but neither of those noises sounds anything like clatter, rattle, or diesel engine noise. The loose timing chain does, however.

If you hear ANYTHING that sounds clattery, you'd better take the car to the dealer or buy the parts to do it yourself, because your timing system is not functioning properly.

 

Hello all. Here is a brief of what I just went through with my MINI and MINI of The WOODLANDS, TX. VERY IMPORTANT. KNOWLEDGE. GOOD NEWS.

1. Bought 2008 MINI Cooper S w/NO MODS @ 52K. used/private seller. Mini Cooper S/N14/R56/Manual/NO MODS.

2. Heard Death Rattle for months. Owned car for 3 months.

3. Car lost power on freeway @3500 RPM.

4. Pulled valve cover and timing chain was broken in half and tensioner was broken at TOP, interference engine, ruined and totaled motor.

5. Brought car into MINI dealership and explained what happened.

6. They scanned my key and said "Yes there is a RECALL on the tensioner"

7. They dropped the oil and showed 2 Qts low..this was an issue as MINI was going to use this against me.

8. Had all the RECEIPTS and INVOICES for oil change records. This saved my ***!!!

9. MINI informed me that 1 of 2 things will happen.
1. The dealership will diagnose and approve full coverage on the spot.
2. They will have to send info to MINI USA for GOODWILL case.

10. Got a call back in only TWO days and my SA said "MINI will be covering all costs and replacing entire engine with updated tensioner, chain, HPFP, and all the problems they have been having due to recall/campaign.

11. Waiting for an ETA on replacement.

Things to do: PLEASE READ

You have to put everything in your favor. Be calm, be decisive, be informed, do research. The calmer you are the more control you have over the situation.

1. Have your OIL receipts, always keep these. I got lucky. This, I can say, single handedly help me win my case, they could prove an oil change 3 months ago when i purchased car. So they attributed the oil loss to the tensioner, my best guess.

2. They WILL SCAN YOUR KEY and say the words RECALL. It's not public, and it is a "Campaign", but MINI USA just had the lawsuit pushed forward 4 days ago after years of "will this happen". It did, and they are royally f@$%#d.

3. Dealership to dealership varies. Be nice and polite. They SERVICE department does not work for MINI. MINI of the WOODLANDS is owned by Autonation. So the SA's are on your side and they fight MINI to be reimbursed for repairs..thats why they were not able to approve on spot, it was a total engine replacement.

4. Take all the MODS you can off your car, please, they will screw you and try to attribute the issue to down pipes/exausts...etc. PLEASE.

There is too much to put in here, but this is my case. PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS. I would love to help all MINI owners with this problem.

Thanks