1. Is it possible to lose engine oil from the timing chain tensioner?
2. If so, under what circumstances can this happen?

 

If the tensioner were not screwed in tightly, oil could leak out.

Dave

 

Just like Dave said.. If the timing chain tensioner backs out you will lose oil.. Some even back all the way out and then you really lose oil! As it starts to back out you start to develop a leak. Once its all the way out you have a gusher! I have seen an 09 where the tensioner had fell out! There was oil everywhere. Not to mention the likely hood of engine damage resulting in excessive oil loss.. What year is your MINI?

 

Could more oil leak out while hard driving? (if so, would that be due to oil pressure?)
Would oil still be leaking out even if engine stopped working?

 

its a 2008 model, does the year have to do with anything?

 

If you are driving hard I would say yes! You will lose oil at a faster rate. The hole the tensioner goes in is rather large in diameter. So its virtually a large hole once it backs all the way out! Plus the location of it is where there is constant oil while its running. Also if it back out to that point there is a good chance the guides of the timing chain could be damaged. This is a very weak link in MINIs. Reason saying is it can cause serious engine failure or damage.

 

If you have a 2008 and have never had the tensioner updated then you are still running the outdated tensioner. They have a updated tensioner. I would check and see if your MINI was ever updated with the new tensioner! If you are leaking great amounts of oil I wouldnt drive it either..

 

genik, what issues are you having that makes you think it might be the tensioner?

 

The tensioner i have isn't the latest version, its one before the latest, but its not the oldest either, it was changed sometime back in 2010 or 11 if i recall correctly!
Regarding the issues, well other than oil burning and no overboost power over 3500rpm (but that comes and goes, its not constant) there aren't any other issues. Just a few days ago i had an engine oil leak and im thinking it might be from the tensioner... where else could it be from the left hand side?

 

Hmmm. maybe someone else could chime in on other possibilities of your oil leak. By the looks of the area of where there are signs of oil is in or close to the location of the timing chain tensioner. Usually though if its the tensioner you will develop a rattle/noise timing chain. It will sound more like a diesel engine. Im not at all sure what you might have going on with out physically being there. Have you checked to see if there is more oil by the tensioner itself?

 

No i havent cause at the time that this happened and took the photos i didnt have the slightest clue what or where the tensioner was!

 

The tensioner is on the backside of your motor. All the way left on the valve cover. From there work your way back behind the motor. For the easiest way to understand what im saying google it. It will give you pictures of the location.

 

Yes thank you, after the incident i checked, i am aware now!

 

If it happens to look wet in that area. You could check the tensioner. See if it is lose. If it is then re torque it! Good luck!

 

http://s636.photobucket.com/user/cza...4x873.jpg.html

Its the big bolt, right side of pic, just lower... of the Vanos solenoid.. which is right below the right most intake port.

You are looking at the rear of the engine in this pic.

 

I recently lost all of my oil out of the timing chain tensioner.

 

I haven't quite understood by reading your thread, what was it that Mini covered in the end?

 

They replaced the timing chain for me.

 

How many km have you done since then?
Do you know if the timing chain that you had before was the 2nd version?

 

I just got it back yesterday so I've driven less than 100 miles after having the work done. I'm assuming it wasn't an updated tensioner because my VIN wasn't one of the affected cars. Mine also wasn't the typical tensioner fail but a bolt coming out from being torqued incorrectly, from what I understand.