My 2010 MCS has 42k mi's and I'm committed to keeping it for the long haul. What is the consensus on taking care of the timing chain? Is there a maintenance / inspection routine that can minimize the chance of serious problems or catch things before major repairs are necessary?

The dealer proactively installed the new timing chain tensioner under warranty shortly after I bought the car in 2010. There were no symptoms at that time. Occasionally these days I hear some of the rattling sound when the engine is cold but not on every start-up and never for more than 10-20 seconds. They recently checked the chain tension and said it was OK, whatever that means.

Keeping oil topped off goes without saying. I'm also very careful about driving gently until the engine warms up. I'm considering adding an oil pan heater for use in colder weather.

Would keeping an eye on the chain tension make sense? How often? What measurement would trigger replacement? Is measuring chain tension a DIY?

Any other suggestions?

 

If your MINI is rattling for 10-20 seconds on start up I'd say it is time to look now. Possibly your tensioner is going bad again. I read somewhere that MINI was replacing timing chains on these engines as a warranty thing. You might want to search that out.

 

Sounds like you are doing everything that you can do to maintain your chain assembly. IIRC anything over 68mm of slack is considered excessive. The "new" tensioner your dealer installed may not be the latest "improved" part. The timing chain campaign/recall effects the '07-'10 MCS.

 

If it rattles for 10 seconds don't be nervous. 1 minute? Bring it in.

 

Thanks for the input.

Google search turned up this document which describes measuring the timing chain slack.

 

I had the car at the dealer recently. Unfortunately they were unable to reproduce the noise. (It happens less than half the time.) They said I have the latest tensioner and, with slack within acceptable limits, that means no need to change parts.

Changing the tensioner seems pretty easy. Do we know if the new part weakens with age, so that replacing it after a while might make sense?

 

Nice! They should sticky this document.

 

you might think its an easy check but you need the precise factory instructions, and a crank pin..if it was my car i would have the newest tensioner installed, and oil level check like you said, or buy an n18

 

I just got my car back from the dealer yesterday. Timing chain backlash measured 70.9mm so they replaced the timing chain cassette, crank & cam bolts, and valve cover gasket. Sounds like a new motor now. I never really noticed a problem before this, other than the occasional clatter on cold start. I change my oil (Mobil 1 0W40) every 5K max, and check my oil level at least once a week. If your car falls under the recall/campaign I recommend you get it checked out whether you have the "death rattle" or not.

 

How much did that cost you?

 

Sounds like it was covered under the campaign/recall?

 

Zip, zero, nada, nuthin'. Covered by the campaign. Even had a '14 Countryman S loaner from Friday until Tuesday.

 

I am glad that MINI took care of your car and it is running great now!

 

That's great! I saw you owned a 2007 with over 100,000 miles - I had no idea they would cover a car that was out of warranty with that many miles.

 

I was surprised also. My jaw really dropped when he offered the new loaner and complemented me on how well my car had been maintained.

 

Maybe Mini Cooper is realy serious about trying to repair their soiled reliability image by finally standing behind their product.
While this is long past due, it is great news for current and potential new Mini Cooper owners.
Now if only BMW would adapt the same strategy of standing behind their line of cars, who knows, I might even be tempted to buy one to go with our Mini.

 

I'm having my timing chain tension measured as a baseline voluntary project. Does anyone know what a reasonable fee would be from a MINI dealership for just this?

 

Mine is in being done now. 2012 JCW.

 

Ian,
What did it cost?
I am quoted $250 for chain tension check and tensioner bolt - (adjust or replace).

 

My car is still under warranty

 

An update on this: The rattling on cold start-ups for my 2010 MCS had gotten progressively worse in the 1.5 years since starting this thread so I finally took it in to the dealer again. At that point it would rattle more often than not when starting a cold engine and it took longer and longer to go away. I asked them to check the chain tension, which they did.

The slack in the chain measured 70 mm so I was surprised when they suggested changing the tensioner. The tech described the old one as "squishy". My understanding was that there was a service bulletin saying to change the entire chain assembly if the measurement was 68 mm or more. The shop foreman,though, claims that TSB does not apply to the VIN range that includes my 2010 MCS. He says there is no official limit for the chain measurement on my car.

Has anyone else heard this?

I had them install the new tensioner and the car is very quiet now. Presumably I am just kicking the can down the road and will eventually be forced to change the chain but for now the quiet is comforting.

 

Probably are, it's just a matter of time.