Which timing chain tensioner to use
 

Hi all Really need some advice R55 coopers S clubman, 2007, 62k I think I have committed a cardinal sin when diagnosing issues and skipped checking the obvious and now I have a decision..... Last week when driving the car away from cold I heard the dreaded death rattle so stopped straight away. I took off the cam cover and checked for visible slack or guide damage and saw none, so went ahead and bought the latest tensioner, the longer one from BMW. I took out the old tensioner and it didn't seem siezed or damaged. I then did what I should have done first and checked the oil level and it was way below minimum. I know the cars use a horrific amount of oil and usually keep on top of it. In fact I had only topped up a few hundred miles before so that's why I didn't check
So, assuming it's likely the low oil caused the noise and assuming I cought it pretty quickly, do I fit the old tensioner or the new? The old one is the revision with the dimple on the head which is one of the revised tensioners but NOT the longer one. The new one is the longer one
I am concerned that if the chain is not excessively stretched putting the longer one on will increase chain loads and exacerbate wear Any thoughts
I don't have access to the tool for measuring the chain slack
Many thanks Wes

It doesnt hurt to use the longer tensioner.
the tension from the engine pulling on the chain is more than that of the tensioner.

Thanks. I was thinking it was probably the safer bet to use the new one

the dealer offers only ywo parts. the longer (ending 551) is the only one linked to the VIN unless you look up the full chain kit . Its only £16 so no reason to buy elsewhere

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11314609482/ is the fix one for timing chain with a measurable stretch within a certain limit and https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11317607551/ is the latest and suppose to be done with a new timing chain.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11314609482/ used to be the shorter one then they updated that and i believe changed the internal spring.

More info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nsioner-3.html

Hmm, the 551 I got from the dealer in the UK was definitely the longer one , I measured it and compared to old one

ok, let us know.

Fitted the 551 tensionr and filled car uo with oil. So far so good. no more knocking, but not sure what fixed it!! Oil or tensioner. Thanks for the suggestions

Is the "death rattle" exclusively Gen2 and Gen3 MINIs, or can it also occur to Gen1 S models? I have an engine tapping noise that, to me, sounds like a lifter or valve. I had the valve cover off recently and the timing chain did not have any slack. Should I be concerned about the timing chain? Car has 125,000 miles and I have no idea if the chain has ever been replaced. Thanks.

Right, so I replaced with the longer tensioner and now i have a short burst of rattle which is only audible when the bonnet is open. Is this normal or does it indicate trouble is coming?!
thanks