Hi everyone. I'm looking for a bit of advise. I had our Cooper S convertible (2009) standard transmission, up at the dealer for some routine maintenance and I was told my oil pan gasket was starting to fail and the car was starting to weep oil. When they removed the pan, I was told that they found some timing chain guide pieces that broke off and sent a pic (attached). I'm not familiar with timing chain guides and the pic that they sent looks like pieces of the gasket. Has anyone had a similar issue and does the picture justify that? Any advise is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I’d say that looks like pieces of the guide. The best way to find out would be to pull the valve cover gasket, too, and see if there’s any pieces there or if you can actually see the broken pieces.

Either way, I’d recommend a timing chain service (new guide, tensioner, and chain) soon.

 

Yup, those are guide pieces. A timing chain service should be done before the guides fully decompose and kill the engine.

 

Thanks everyone, I just approved the timing chain work.