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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
Before you end up reading more than necessary, this write up is just describing my take and experience after replacing the timing chain, guides, and tensioner on my 2011 Mini Cooper (base). Hopefully this will give others thinking about it an idea of if the job is worth it or not. Disclaimer: Some of this will be opinion based, other parts will be strictly observational throughout the repair. Also, some of what I say will be pretty obvious to many of you, you never know what skill level or knowledge some may have. Enjoy, and I'd love to hear feedback
I own a 2011 Justa with a little over 140k miles on it. I've owned it for just about a year or so and ever since I bought it, I've been aware of the horrific and terrifying timing chain issues that are all over forums, car review sites, etc. I am also aware that it affects some mini engines, and others it doesn't. In any case, I felt I should go ahead and replace my Justa's timing chain. To start off, there were no warning signs that prompted this replacement (no death rattle or noticeable drivability changes). I simply didn't want any "unexpected" mishaps to occur as I begin a new career far from my home and father's garage (I'm 23, and have worked with him on vehicles my whole life).
Now to what I really want to talk about. If you have a high mileage Mini, at least with a N16 engine, I'll start off by saying that, in my opinion, a timing chain replacement is worth the time and effort. Given you have the tools, experience, and time, I think that it could be beneficial if you wish to have your Mini for a long time with some sort of peace of mind. Before I get into the key highlights I want to hit during the replacement, I will say that my Justa simply runs smoother, sounds smoother, and isn't as sluggish as before.
ABSOLUTELY before starting a job like this, be sure you have all necessary tools, parts, and reference materials. I had the timing chain kit for a few months, and didn't realize I had the wrong one until I opened the valve cover and saw two VANOS gears and a different top guide . Having a Bentley Manual is invaluable, unless you want to watch a couple hour long videos on youtube (which can be helpful! To each their own!). Lastly, having good quality camshaft locks, crankshaft lock, and all special tools recommended are also invaluable. I own the EWK camshaft alignment tool kit and it isn't the greatest quality... but it got the job done.
Once I began tear-down and took out the old parts, I made sure to inspect for any wear, damage, etc. Probably the most noticeable was the old chain length compared to a new one. The old chain was about half a link longer than a new one. Granted, that's why there is a tensioner (if it works, right?). The old guides had some decent grooves set into them from the chain, which is expected. The old crankshaft gear had some wear on the teeth, but nothing too excessive. The top guide, specifically the plastic part on the metal bracket, was quite loose. Even while assembled and under chain pressure, it would move transverse to the chain a good bit. I'll try to post a couple pictures on this post but I've never done so before. When you put the new cassette in with the crank gear, chain, all that jazz, I highly recommend just putting some oil directly on the guides and chain before starting it up. Before that oil pump can oil everything, that chain will slide on those bare guides a bit (and make you worry when you smell it a little). Other than that, the job went rather smoothly and the car is running better than before.
All in all, I think replacing the timing chain and friends was worth it on my Justa. I'd be happy to answer any questions if anyone has any!! I'm no master mechanic, so I'll try my best! I mainly wanted to write this post to help anyone else thinking of doing this type of job on their own.
Happy Motoring everyone!
Here is what the grooves in the guide look like. Nothing excessive, but they are quite visible.
Notice the wear on the sides of the teeth. I believe this may have been due to the chain being slightly offset with the camshaft VANOS gears. I could be wrong, but I think that's what it is.
Just the lower guides. A picture doesn't do it justice, but the locking mechanism that holds the cassette together was incredibly weak. I could take the two apart by barely twisting them, unlike the new guides.
Thanks so much for posting this. I recently purchased a 2013 Mini Copper and I hear some rattle on cold start up. I consulted others and they said the newer minis shouldn’t have the timing chain issue.
Is there a definitive way to determine there is a timing chain problem by measuring the slack by removing the.m tensioner and inserting the measuring tool?
2cati, you are right that others say newer minis shouldn't have the issue. When I did my replacement, I did notice that the tensioner on my engine was the "new" type. You can tell by the head of the tensioner bolt if it is newer or not. Check this article by Mini Mania (it does specifically say N14 engines, which you shouldn't have:
The newer tensioners have a raised circular edge or middle dimple. These new versions are supposed to solve much of the issue by increasing cold start performance I believe.
My mini kinda had a slight rattle upon cold start and had a fluctuating idle, but once warm it was quiet and stable. Not sure if that is timing chain related or not, but I don't have that issue after the replacement.
Regarding slack measurement, I'm unaware of how to do so myself, but there is this other thread that has a procedure on how to do so! The toolkit I used has a tension tool included, which I will link to later.
Lastly, I used the EWK Timing Tool Kit from Amazon. The link is below. It isn't the greatest, as I described in my original post. The lockers were slightly misaligned when I tried to bolt them together and to the engine (so they are most likely cheaply manufactured). However, they did work! The crankshaft locking pin is also in the tool kit. It is the brass 90 degree bent pin in the kit. When you use it, be sure that it doesn't slide out. Mine did and I luckily caught it before continuing the job.
Thank you for the detailed reply! I have a subtle rattle that to me sounds like the timing chain that goes away when warm.
I suspect the timing chain. Interesting your cold start rattle went away once you replaced the timing chain.
I went to Way Motor Works for my timing chain kit, which by the way, I recommend because they have some amazing customer service and can answer so many questions.
The only downside to the kit is that it didn't come with a new crankshaft seal, so you'll need that (as well as a new valve cover gasket set).
All - I was speaking with the dealer and they told me that the entire timing chain and guides done need to necessarily be replaced. Most often just the top guide and a new tensioner.
If the bottom guides aren’t broken
Does that make sense?
Has there been cases that only the top chain guide resolved the death rattle?
Two things that cause the rattle, stretched chain w/bad tensioner. Boken one of the guides (nylon plastic part) and the chain slaps a bit. You do it all at once as a kit so you dont have any issues after the fact. If you have a budget then maybe the top T and the tensioner, but that's just a short-term fix, you need to have the chain slack measured. Or measure it yourself.
So ideally the chain, guided and lower sprocket should be replaced however there is a possibility that just the tensioner and/or top guilds could resolve this.
I ordered a timing chain kit - hopefully when I take the valve cover off I’ll have a better idea of next steps.
I’m trying to replace the tensioner and just preparing - ive disconnected the tubing and removed the air filter box to give me more room however it appears the intake or throttle body needs to be removed as well - does that make sense?
I don’t recall any of the videos I watched removing the throttle body or intake. Can someone confirm?
this is for ECS Tuning personnel,
i ordered kit last month and dissappointed because you used FED Ex and they ended using USPS and took almost a month to get the kit. I kind of hesitant to order again unless you change shipping company, Fed Ex to my place been a pain in the butt and not reliable, as much as possible dont want to use them, id rather use USPS, but Amazon used UPS which i dont care because its Prime.
Last edited by drea-min; 06-19-2018 at 04:59 PM.
Reason: Mispelled
06-06-2018, 02:54 PM
. Having a Bentley Manual is invaluable, unless you want to watch a couple hour long videos on youtube (which can be helpful! To each their own!). Lastly, having good quality camshaft locks, crankshaft lock, and all special tools recommended are also invaluable. I own the EWK camshaft alignment tool kit and it isn't the greatest quality... but it got the job done. 
