I have a recurring 0341 code --- it only happens after spirited driving when driven up to redline.

2006 JCW with 105,000 miles.

Replaced t/c tensioner and it hadn't given the code again until just recently.

Valve cover gasket is on the to-do list and is scheduled next after doing the water pump this weekend.

When I pull the valve cover, will it be visually obvious if the timing chain is stretched and in need of replacement?
I will inspect the sprockets and see how they look of course too.

SLIGHT RANT TO VENT STEAM:
At the moment I'm feeling a little overwhelmed because I have a rather large to-do list. I'm a mediocre mechanic at best but I can get by, but it feels as if I've gotten myself into having to do a complete restoration pretty much --- there is a love/hate thing developing because I love the damn car but parts lifespan/fragility is quite annoying,
I sorta feel like this guy:
https://classicmotorsports.com/forum.../126273/page1/

I've driven the car 6,000 miles and I'm amazed with the driving dynamics, but slightly frustrated by the number of issues which need addressing --- I knew this going in, I knew I was getting a maintenance hog, and I do actually enjoy working on it to some degree, but my morale has slipped a bit as I find myself more and more spending my off-time up on jackstands instead of on the road and plus draining my wallet on expensive (but cheaply/poorly made) parts.

At this point I am committed though and I know in the long run I'll be rewarded.

 

Have you tried replacing the cam position sensor? I've read a couple times that it's fixed P0340 / P0341 codes.

 

If everything looks okay upon visual inspection, I will likely replace the sensor.

So, it is a known common failure part?
A failing sensor gives an incorrect reading?

 

I don't know how common a fault it really is, but if it fails it absolutely can and probably will give incorrect reading (if not no reading at all).

Crank, Cam and wheel speed sensors are all hall effect sensors - they basically sense the teeth of a gear as they pass by in close proximity, creating a low voltage sine wave the associated ECU can use to determine speed and/or position. They are a bit tricky to test though; best way to do it is with an oscilloscope to observe the waveform while it operates on the vehicle... not always too practical. On the other hand, modern vehicle systems are pretty good at diagnosing their own problems, so I would tend to trust it. Check the physical condition of the wiring to the sensor to make sure it's not screwed up, and if it looks good, replace the sensor. You have to support the engine and pull a motor mount to do it, but it doesn't sound like it's too difficult.

 

If the sensor doesn't fix it, then things get trickier.

If the car drives normally between times the code appears, then odds are probably good it's not a pure mechanical issue (stretched chain, jumped teeth, etc) as those things stay bad and would usually effect performance noticeably.

If the car's performance is poor, or the fuel consumption is bad, and/or there are nasty noises coming from the engine timing chain area, then yeah - could be chain related, and hopefully your valves haven't played spin the bottle with the pistons.

Some interesting info here: https://www.samarins.com/diagnose/p0341.html

 

Thank you for the detailed response,
I appreciate it.

Although the R53 offers a fairly analog experience as far as modern cars go, it still has much too much complicated electrics crap which is guaranteed to fail and cause headaches.

The drive-by-wire throttling is especially bad and BMW should have went caveman style with it as the detached feel detracts from overall driver engagement.

 

Much appreciate the possibility list!
Thanks.