That doesn't make any sense, Mini USA extended the timing chain components to 10 years/150,00 miles unless you're in the UK, is there something you're not telling us?

My timing chain started acting up at 47,000 miles, it wasn't covered because Mini hadn't issued the recall on the timing chain components yet. I tried a goodwill repair with Mini USA, they turned me down because the previous owner declined an oil change so Mini tells me. A few months later and my dealer reimburse me, then billed Mini USA. Mini playing game with our heads!

 

Is there a source from MINI USA indicating the warranty has been extended on timing chain components to 10 years/150,000 miles?

 

Very interested in this info, as I'm still hitting a brick wall here in the UK.

 

There isn't a source because it was never said or agreed on by anyone at MINI USA.

 

OK, but mini America are paying for timing chain replacement and covering the high pressure fuel pumps for failure after the normal warranty has expired, I'm currently in discussion with mini in the UK who will not offer any extra cover on either of these item's, so if there was any evidence of mini America offering cover, I would naturally be very keen to find out.

 

Yea they are doing that but there isn't any warranty on the timing chain like for the HPFP

 

OK maybe I used the wrong word's, recall and not warranty is what I meant on the timing chain issue.

 

I understood what you meant. I was referring to the comment from Systemlord saying that MINI USA had put a 10-year/150K mile warranty on the timing chain components.

 

Yes, there are copies of the letter sent by Mini USA extending the warranty on the HPFP on this site. I know I posted my letter when I received it. You should be able to find them by searching. However, I have not seen anything in print regarding the timing chain replacement.

 

I'm was mistaken about the 10-year/150K mile warranty on the timing chain components, sorry about that. Though there is a 10-year/150K mile warranty on the HPFP in the USA. Lawsuits are the only way for manufacturers to change their tune towards a known defect, even if it's a known defect. I'm sure Mini is losing a crap load of money with all of these combined defects! I think when Mini designed the 2014+ Mini Cooper S's that they will be much more reliable when compared to all of the Mini Coopers before it.

I'm in the dark as to why Mini USA isn't calling for a campaign for the HPFP and timing chain components in other counties, perhaps they can't afford to handle these issues on a world wide basis.

 

The extended warranty for the HPFP is 10 years/120,000 miles.

 

I've seen the letter that's been posted asking owners to attend their dealer's, to have the timing chain measured and if out of spec, the whole cassette and tensioner would be replaced.
There's some confusion over who gets this enhancement though from mini as it does not seem to affect everyone in the years produced that there are issues. 07 to 10 model years N14 engine's are affected, but its sporadic as to who's Vin number is included in this "recall "

 

As was explained to me by my service advisor, if MINI has a record of anything timing chain related being replaced under factory warranty, then this campaign will not show up on their computers when they plug your key in. For cars that don't have a record, like mine, then the campaign shows when the key is plugged into the reader, and the steps of the bulletin are carried out (which is a whole other debate on if its the proper way to address this issue).

 

Hey, are these replacements that you are talking about the whole timing chain assembly or just the tensioner? I went to an independent shop not too many miles ago, and they said my chain is at its maximum. But I know that there is a longer tensioner that can be put in, which will give the chain a longer life. But I want a new chain, not a $15 (on ebay) or $95 (dealer) bandaid.

Thanks

 

If you end up with only the tensioner I would highly suggest the OEM part. Mine has failed with even three dealer tensioners so I can only imagine what a 15.00 Ebay one will do. On second thought, the damn thing may actually work better! Alot of people are getting their whole timing chain and tensioners systems replaced because the tensioners are failing and stretching the chain or allowing it to break. But Mini USA is VERY VERY selective on who gets their seal of approval on either a warranty or good will repair.

 

That is the most illogically logical explanation I have heard yet (not you of course, Mini USA). So their reasoning for excluding so many people is that if their already failing timing chain tensioners (and chains) have been serviced that they theoretically dont need warranty work because it was already fixed even though it wasn't even though they redesigned the tensioner three times or more and they are still not working. That also explains why the first wave of notices was around 27000. The 450000 other owners have had to replace chains or tensioners or both! Ahhhh!

 

That's stupid and Mini knows this, it's their way of not having to fix everybodies timing chain components. Either way it's a flawed design, so that when they repair it under warranty they used to same defective tensioners and they know it!

 

Replaced chain, tensioner, sprocket, guides,couple bolts, and valve cover gasket. Before the work was done backlash was measured at 70.9mm. Maximum is 68mm.

 

What dealer did this for you? It might be helpful to talk to them to get the true story on all this before I ask my local dealer to do the job for free.

BTW, I was told mine was just at 68, probably less than 1,000 miles ago. I am around 55,000 now.

Thanks!

 

Just spent 2 days reading all 21 pages of this thread. I am the 2nd owner of an 09 JCW w/42k which I bought 12/12 (had an 05 S prior, hence the screen name).

5 days ago I was driving my car to work and lost power going up a grade and the CEL began flashing. I immediately pulled over, turned around, and limped it 2 miles back to my local indy who I've taken cars to for years. He tested compression and found total loss in cylinder #3 and a burnt valve so we had it towed to my local Mini dealer yesterday afternoon (Mini of Marin). I met with the SA and authorized $125 for a diagnostic which he said "will go away if this becomes a warranty issue". Warranty on my car expired 18 months ago and he must know that but I am not getting my hopes up quite yet just because he used that word.

He ran my key and said the only open campaign for my car is the turbo line heat shield (yes I have a warped hood scoop) and when I asked about the timing chain tensioner recall/campaign he said it doesn't apply to me since he saw the tensioner had been done in 2012 by the PO (I have all receipts but they're at home and I am not). I couldn't argue with him on that issue.

Last Oct/Nov I started hearing a rattle on cold start coming from the right front side of the car. At that point I hadn't read about the "death rattle" so wasn't aware of any potential issues (I don't know why I didn't search here first back then) so I took it to a different local "Mini specialist" who tightened up a couple suspension-related bolts and the noise went away (again, receipts are at home so can't check exactly what they did).

Fast forward to 10 days ago I checked my oil and found it down 2 quarts, this only 1500 miles after my last oil change. Then a few days later is when I lost power and am now waiting for a call from my SA.

Would a failed tensioner/jumped chain be a possible cause for this disaster? I have changed the oil no less than every 5k since I've owned it and have all receipts for that as well as everything back to Day 1 from the PO so know the car has been maintained correctly.

 

Mine is also an '09 JCW, and the dealer replaced my timing chain and the fuel pump last week. No charge. BTW, they are not calling it a recall, but a "Campaign".

The service mgr made a comment that may be relevant to your oil loss issue. She told me that the "Cyclone Separator" is leaking, and that, it will get worse over time. Sounded like a fancy crankcase vent to me, with the difference being that, when leaking like this, oil actually gets sucked up and gets burned when the engine is running. Unfortunately, you can't just replace it. It is part of the valve cover, so you have to replace the whole valve cover.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the feedback Brad. I actually went back and checked my receipts from the prior owner, and the whole timing chain assembly was replaced at 25k in Feb of 2012, so I don't think that was the cause of the problem. I did get a call from the SA at the dealer on Friday and he said the car needs a whole new engine. Cause for failure is still TBD.

 

So will the cause of the failure dictate who pays for the engine replacement, meaning either you or MINI?

 

No, cause of failure hasn't come up (yet). But luckily I have receipts for all service/maintenance performed by dealers while under warranty and my indy since it's been out of warranty, so I think I am covered in case the blame game starts.

Initially Mini was going to cover 100% when it was just a burnt valve, but now that it's a whole new engine, they are offering to cover 70%. I am trying to get Mini to pick up more but some level of "customer participation" is required in order to get a 2 year / unlimited miles warranty on the new engine. Otherwise out of warranty goodwill repairs 100% covered by Mini come with no warranty (according to my SA).

 

Tell Mini USA you should not be paying anything because it happened at no fault of your own! It's Mini's fault, tell them you're prepared to file a lawsuit. Mini can't afford any more lawsuits that it it already dealing with, it's under warranty so to bad Mini. Stand up for yourself, Mini could have developed a better engine design and if the did you would be at this juncture.