Almost 2 years ago to this June 28th my warranty for replacing the timing chain components ends. Two weeks ago I was just curious as to the amount of chain slack there was in my timing chain, so I took it in to have the slack checked. They locked the crankshaft and both cams and measured 66.42mm which is in spec and 68 being out of spec. If your Mini dealer hasn't bothered to check the chain slack they have no in tension to do anything for you regarding your timing chain. 1.5mm might seem like I'm really close to being out of spec, but for a chain to stretch 1.5mm doesn't happen overnight. Have your dealer check the timing chain slack like they should have done.

Did you buy from the dealer?

 

Yes we bought from the dealer and they are the only dealership in Oklahoma with the next nearest dealership being in Kansa City, way to far away from us.
My plan forward is to follow whatever directions our dealership provides and take as good care of the car as we can while under warranty including all maintenance requirements.
My opinion is that this dealership owns this cars warranty covered components until the warranties (both factory and CPO Next) expire.
After that, other than "campaigns" or recalls, we will be fully responsible for all aspects of the car and will most certainly check and replace all suspect components on the car from that time on.
One might question why we would not consider just changing cars.
Of course this is a consideration and one reason I've been so persistent in trying to fully understand the implications we would face should we eventually decide to keep or get rid of it.
There appears to be two very serious concerns over keeping this car long term outside of a warranty and those are the timing chain and vacuum pump as both can cause the absolute and total destruction of the engine.
The fact that both these potential failures are related to very poor design and should be subject to replacement with improved design either by recall or "campaign" by the manufacturer is of limited value as long as that manufacturer fails to step up and take responsibility.
So we are faced with the decision of taking on that responsibility once out of warranty or not.
We love our little coupe and since it will no longer be made and thus cannot trade up to a newer BMW engine coupe, we are left struggling with do we keep it out of warranty or just give up and change brands altogether.
Thus we are exploring every possible option/reason to keep our Mini.
Still believe the real answer/cure to the timing chain issue is in the oil pump's failure to provide the needed pressure to the tensioner (another **** poor design flaw).

 

Vacuum pump failures are rare, if you're in the unlucky few percentage usually you'll spot the oil leaking before the pump fails and again it's not a common occurrence. I believe half the vacuum pump failures are those running a few quarts low and not paying careful attention to the engine bay.

 

Running a Mini Cooper "a few quarts low" on oil is a recipe for disaster on so many different levels. If it is due to not keeping an eye on your oil level, so much the worse.
However the insidious thing about the vacuum pump is that when the inner O-ring starts to leak oil it is not necessarily an noticeable external leak but one that allows the vacuum pump to virtually suck the oil right out of the engine and cause terminal damage before even the most prudent attention to oil leaks or levels can guarantee you won't lock your engine up while merrily cruising down the highway.
In this case would the failure be caused from low oil levels? Most assuredly.
In this case would the blame lay with an un-attentive owner or the bad O-ring? I would be inclined to put the blame on the bad O-ring.
That these type failures are relatively rare is the only positive thing about it as failures still can and do occur and if they should it will cost you your engine.
Thus a heightened awareness of this potential and (given the relative low cost and easy installation of a new vacuum pump) perhaps timely preventive replacement considered?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...asons-s-2.html




But alas we still have the timing chain to deal with also.

 

Any Chance I can borrow someone's cam locking tool kit? Or Rent it?

 

Hi, I just pulled the valve cover off my 07, and I am a bit confused, the timing chain guide is in tack. WTH? Why is there so much rattle in this area? Ugh, Help!!!

 

I believe the guides can be intact, but the chain still stretched.

 

When you get access to a timing chain adjustment kit, use the tension tool and follow this procedure to measure chain slack --- https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-noise-1-3.pdf Guides can be in good condition and still have a loose - stretched chain. If it needs replacement, shop around for a kit --- lots cheaper than individual parts.

 

Will this tool work with the Justa motor? Sounds like all the talk around the timing chain is about the S model.