Hello all, I have a 2007 R56 non turbo, here is what i have done to try to bring this Mini back from the dead.

1. new timing set
2. new rings honed cylinders
3. new cylinder head
4. new VVT solenoids
5. cleaned out oil pump screen ( old chain guide was trashed)
6. timed per Bentley manual with locking tool (rechecked 3 times)
7. new water pump, coolant tube, and thermostat
8. compression is 160,160,157,160

The car starts but has a rough idle, reset valvetronics adaptation with a Schwaben/Foxwell scanner from ECS, the exhaust adaptation value is 33.30 (40*-60* is needed) so definitely not in range. Intake is 147.70 ( 140*- 160*) so spot on....

Yesterday I was spinning the engine over by hand (with a ratchet) and noticed the exhaust cam would jump or click a couple times through the cycle as i was trying to get the locking pin in the flywheel. What would cause this? possible bad exhaust cam phaser?

I am really at a loss and would very much appreciate some help....

 

Sometimes because the vanos sprockets have been sitting for a long time and the oil possibly drained out of them, they tend to not work right the first time they're back in business. I suggest running the engine for a while or even drive it like you normally would and then reset the timing and check again. if the issue persists, then the gear is out of commission. you could either buy a new one or a genuinely used one.

Lastly, make sure the intake sprocket is marked with IN and the exhaust is marked with EX.