Hey everybody,

My mini has a slight engine knock upon acceleration / uphill, so I thought I'd check the timing to see if it's off.

The guidelines from the Bentley manual were slightly vague, so I just rotated the crankshaft until IN and EX were shown at the top and took photos of the cam positions.

Does the cam timing look off? Also, if the cam timing is off in the photos, is it at all possible that the solenoids could be failing?

 

Hmm.. I noticed that the exhaust solenoid electrical connector was a bit oily, so I disconnected it to clean it out. Upon close inspection, the connector looked tampered with, and I could not reconnect it successfully. When I restarted the engine, I got an error code about the cam position activator B being open.

Ironically, the knock is less severe with the error code present.. Once the error code is in place, does the engine tune itself to be even more conservative (maybe by not depending on the solenoid?) Could this imply that the exhaust solenoid is failing?

 

If the engine runs, I don't know of any way to determine VISUALLY whether or not the timing is set properly (re: post #1). If in doubt, follow Bentley's timing set-up instructions using the cam / crank locking and chain tensioner tools, but be aware of the "single use" bolts on the vanos units.

The N14 ECU will "learn" new / unusual conditions and compensate for them. Specific compensation results for timing issues are way beyond me, but I've experienced "ECU learning" with post-turbo hose failures. When your problem is fixed, reset the ECU manually so it doesn't have to re-learn correct settings.

 

You need to see cam/ crank correlation as well, cam timing can be on par but be off in correlation to the crank.

Those pictures don't show any way of deducing that it is in time. There is laser etched writing on either cam in the middle of each shaft, those should both be facing upwards, cam blocks on either cam, and crank locking pin in the flywheel. That is the only way to correctly diagnose engine timing.

The VANOS solenoids are notorious for either failing or becoming clogged with debris or buildup and not allowing cam advance.

 

The stamps on you cams look like they are off a bit... did you ever get your problem resolved? I'm trying to time my 2007 N12 as well but I'm not sure I have the valvetronic solenoid in the correct location. Would you have any more pictures of your head with a focus on the right hand side rear so I can see how the valvetronic gear is positioned?
If you have any thoughts on timing I'm happy to hear them. Thanks!

 

Took it to a mechanic. Turns out the solenoid was quite clogged which was causing the knock. After cleaning, the knock is much much lighter. I will see if there are any options to get rid of the knock entirely but I'd be happy as it is!

 

Have a video recording of this knock, chances are someone might know what it by just hearing it. I had a slight knocking or tapping sound (occurred 1/4 of engine RPMs) a year ago and for a while it puzzled me immensely, on a pure hunch I decided to have my tensioner replaced and the knocking was never heard from again. I must admit I've heard many noises in my life, these Mini Coopers make some of the strangest squeals, knocking and rattling sounds I hope to never hear again.