While changing the timing chain out on my 2009 MCS I noticed that the rocker arms for the number two cylinder on the intake side were completely off the valve spring assembly and turned to the side. I'm able to move them on and off of the spring assembly.

My car was recently in the shop and the guy performed a compression and told me everything was good, even though I don't have very much faith in him (which is why I'm changing my timing chain myself.)

I'm thinking maybe I just need to replace those valve springs, but I am not sure. Is their way for me to troubleshoot this problem and find out what really needs to be done?

 

A little background would help us --- what was the original problem (re: your other thread about a valve cover)? What has been done and who did it --- dealer, indie shop, DIY --- and do they have experience with Mini's? You're changing the timing chain --- do you have a Bentley manual or some other set of instructions? Are you using the special tools recommended? Any mods to work around?

To me, it sounds like you need to remove the intake cam and inspect everything. If you don't recognize a failed component, post pics for us. However removing the cam requires the crank be locked, as in setting the timing --- you don't want to damage valves by rotating the crank without an adjusted chain. This is not a simple task!

Based on your questions, you're clueless about what you're doing and where you're going. I'm not trying to offend you, but notice nobody else has chimed in to help --- they probably don't want to get involved. Maybe the missing background will help attract more attention.

 

umm...while I agree with oldbrokenwind, I can tell you that you have bent valves on the cylinder...basically the spring cannot/isnt pulling enough on the valve because it isnt straight. The fact that you are replacing the timing chain suggests you had a problem with misfiring or even worse.

 

I replaced the valve cover myself and I'm no longer getting the CEL I was getting and the car ran fine until recently when I ran into another problem when the accessories belt came off due to a leaky crank seal and the car overheated and the battery died. After having it towed to an indie shop they changed the belt and the crank seal (which I expect was done improperly because it was still leaking when I went to change the timing chain). When I went to pick up the car it wouldn't start and after the mechanic got it to start it was running rough and misfiring on all cylinders. He informed me that it appeared the timing chain was stretched because the timing marks on the cams were not lining up.

I have a Hanes manual and I watched the timing chain installation video by miniadventure on youtube. I have all the specialty tools for the timing chain install.

I ran into a bigger problem when I went to torque the lower guide bolts and my torque wrench malfunctioned and I snapped the lower two bolts, so now I have to figure out the best way to get them out.

I tried a bolt extractor but it's difficult to get to the bolts.

That's what I feared the guy in the mini adventure video ran into the same problem.

 

With bent valves, you need to decide if repair is worth it --- even with DIY labor, machine shop costs for head work, and parts will be close to 1K, and that's assuming no piston damage.

I haven't seen the Hanes manual, but I was able to do a complete engine rebuild using just the Bentley manual --- no youtube videos, and I'm just a shade-tree mechanic with no previous Mini experience. Results have been pretty good --- a few old-age related mistakes, but nothing serious. I'm told that Peugeot has an even better manual for working on the Prince N14 engine --- if that's what you're working on. Does Hanes ID which bolts are "single-use"?

It sounds like your next step is pull the head and inspect for damage. Might have to pull the engine to get at the broken bolts. Typical E-Z-Out's require you drill a pilot hole. Drilling will get metal bits in the pan and elsewhere --- a whole lot of clean-up, and probably best done on a workbench.

If you need this car for day-to-day purposes, consider another indie shop, one with Mini experience. If this is a "play-thing", have fun with it, you're gonna learn more about Mini's than you ever wanted to know. Keep us posted ---

 

The car was my daily driver but given the current circumstances, I'm now looking for a new daily and looking to keep the Mini as just a project car.

I am working on an N14 and believe the only bolts you have to replace are the cam bolts and the top guide bolt. I picked up a kit from ECS tuning with the replacement bolts for all three guide bolts, so I still have my old bottom guide bolts, I just have to double check and see If I can use them again. I'll look into getting the Bentley manual since I really don't like the way the Hanes manual is laid out.

I figured that was the procedure that I was going to have to undertake. After I sort out this daily driver problem I'll be able to dive back into the mini and figure out where I'm going to go from here. I'll make sure to keep you all posted.

Thanks for all of the help so far.