So I pulled off my valve cover today expecting to see some broken guides on the timing chain and was pleasantly surprised to see all was intact! I've been hearing a slight rattling on cold mornings and thought for sure I was in trouble. My question is - since I have the valve cover off should I replace at least the top guide since its easily accessible? Will the timing be impacted? 2010 JCW w/69,000 miles
Thanks!

 

The noise you are hearing could be the vacuum pump when the engine is cold

 

Interesting! Just read up on it, that very well could be what I'm hearing. My first MINI (08 S) had to have the timing chain done around 50k so I felt I might be on borrowed time with this one at 68k

 

If the upper guide is fine why replace it. If anything just replace the tensioner. But then again it may not be timing related.

 

I just don't want to do anything that might mess with the timing if I don't have to. I haven't purchased the tools to lock the cams so if I don't need to I'd rather not haha.

 

if you remove the top guide, feel the chain for slack.

+1 VP is noisy and HPFP can also tick loudly.

I also sometimes, if not most of the time, hear pinging in the middle of the engine towards the intake manifold.

 

I hear a somewhat loud tick from the area of the thermostat with the bonnet open. Does that sound like the area of the HPFP? And is the ticking a problem?

 

i personally dont think it is an issue.

just make sure you have proper level oil.

 

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Probably a good move to replace the tensioner, it's only 30-40 bucks and easy enough to do. Make your chain tight.

 

My car went 250k km without the timing chain needing attention, and even then the chain when compared to the new one were the same length, it wasn't the chain that was on the brink of failing it was near the bottom of the lower guides directly above the crank shaft sprocket that I noticed was the weak point on my timing chain cartridge.

If your going to remove the tensioner LOCK THE CRANK and the CAM or you can end up one or more teeth off!!! Reason behind my thoughts is that when I did my timing chain I noticed that even with the chain tight and at perfect time, that there was a couple valves wanting to spring upwards on the intake side of the engine that would if permitted to have rotated my intake cam 1-2 teeth out of time. Which if not careful could potentially be a bent valve, if not found and rectified.