I am curious as to how many times people have had their timing tensioners or complete chain kits replaced? On my 2010 I have had three tensioners over the years ( since 2010) as well as upper guide rail replaced. Last year I had the complete timing chain kit replaced and likely to need it done again. Vibration and noise at start up when its sub 60F out and it goes away once tensioner has settled itself with oil pressure.
Is there an updated chain tensioner that is different than what the dealer would have installed last year? I am curious with peoples experience with this and how it relates to super knocking code? I don't know of a single MCS owner who doesn't get that code occasionally in a 3rd gear full throttle at the track or on the highway ramp. Can these conditions be related OR is super knock completely separate from the chain tensioner debate. Obviously timing, boost and fuel trim are all responsible for the best driving result when combined. However when there are no warning lights, no scan codes and little to go by except intuition and direct driving experience - it seems that these cars are never fully 1000% satisfied. Always a repair to be saving the $$ for.

 

they might've been installing from the stock they had. the tensioner should be 82mm whereas the faulty one is/was 78mm. keeping an eye on the oil level is also a key.

 

We've had our tensioner replaced 3 times since 2012. Most recent was towards the end of 2016 and the death rattle has begun. Oil level has been kept up on. I am now doing a full chain, chain guide, and tensioner replacement. Will see how long it lasts before more rattling...

 

2009 Clubman S chain kit was replaced at ~120k, 2009 Clubman JCW at 30k.

Next time I'll probably go with a cryogenically treated timing chain kit from Detroit Tuned.
http://www.detroittuned.com/mini-tim...kit-gen-2-n14/

 

I still have the original oem chain and tensioner on my 2010 S. The only code it has thrown was for having the gas cap loose.

 

Once on my 2009 MCS.
Did the work myself and holy crap
when I went to remove the tensioner during the change......I could remove it by hand.
I think I saved my engine. It was backing out slowly. Everyone should make sure to check the torque once a year. 48 lbs of torque.
Engine never made noise - no death rattle for sure. Preventive maintenance is key.

 

I had my 2007 done under the recall, once they did all the guides and the chain with the most up to date part and the newest tensioner, it was gtg. Which is the newest kit on our site.

 

"I am curious with peoples experience with this and how it relates to super knocking code?"

Not familiar with that!!!

I had my Timing Chain assembly replaced under warranty at about 35K. My car has 99K and while chain measures out of spec by a few mils... there is no rattle or excessive noise yet. Just got all the parts from ECS to change it out because... why wait!!!

 

As a follow up, the dealer replaced the tensioner AGAIN, rephased the cams and replaced the cam sprocket bolts that were reused previously. Drives like new. As before- no codes, no noise, no leaks. The car was just behaving lazy.

 

Thanks for the update.