MINI Timing Chain Tensioner - Engine Siezure
Discussion
Having been told my timing chain on my 07 MCS is knackered, i came looking for answers and came across this site.
Wish i'd known prior about this.
I have the notorious 'death rattle' on cold starting, and when that abates after a few minutes, i get a grating sound on right turns (esp on roundabouts).
First indie mechanic i took it too thought it was my gearbox, which could cost £4k to put right!
Sort of glad it was the chain, but I've been told it will be £850 by the Mini dealer.
To be honest, didn't find it that much cheaper when i inquired at indie mechanics.
Mine's only done 50k miles, and i feel angry that a car of supposed quality could have so many issues for what is clearly a design fault.
It makes the classic head gasket design fault on my crappy old Rover seem trivial...
Wish i'd known prior about this.
I have the notorious 'death rattle' on cold starting, and when that abates after a few minutes, i get a grating sound on right turns (esp on roundabouts).
First indie mechanic i took it too thought it was my gearbox, which could cost £4k to put right!
Sort of glad it was the chain, but I've been told it will be £850 by the Mini dealer.
To be honest, didn't find it that much cheaper when i inquired at indie mechanics.
Mine's only done 50k miles, and i feel angry that a car of supposed quality could have so many issues for what is clearly a design fault.
It makes the classic head gasket design fault on my crappy old Rover seem trivial...
Well guys, if you get the death rattle do not assume that it is the timing chain tensioner. My wife has just had this happen on her 56 reg. Mini Cooper (36000 miles), however it has turned out to be the hydraulic tensioner on the belt for the water pump etc. So change of tensioner, belt and water pump (shaft has water stains - common fault so they say!);net result a bill for £400.00 with an independent Mini specialist.
I had mini in for another warranty issues and was told my oil level was low and offered to top up for £35 I asked surely under warranty they should be finding why it was burning oil and why no warning lights came on they said they would top up free as a courtesy...... Now in garage with same problem with chain coincidence.......
wontbuyanothermi said:
I had mini in for another warranty issues and was told my oil level was low and offered to top up for £35 I asked surely under warranty they should be finding why it was burning oil and why no warning lights came on they said they would top up free as a courtesy...... Now in garage with same problem with chain coincidence.......
To be fair, most engines burn oil.I check mine every week and never let it go below half way on the dipstick.
I have just had the dreaded death rattle on my 07 mini, had the timing chain kit replaced at a cost of £800. When I collected it i got two miles up the road when the thermostat/ temperature light came on orange then red, also no heating. I have now also had the thermostat and housing unit changed for another £100 but it's still exactly the same ... Any ideas what else this could be ?
mike9009 said:
StephenDJM said:
StephenDJM said:
Another Cooper S here with a timing chain problem. 30k miles from new. Quoted £1100.00 from the local dealer, with discounted hourly rates and parts. Disappointed.
£192.00 from local garage. All sorted. jogon said:
Yep the parts cost more than that.
Yup: http://www.1320.co.uk/timing-chain-replacment-kit-...Sir_Dave said:
jogon said:
Yep the parts cost more than that.
Yup: http://www.1320.co.uk/timing-chain-replacment-kit-...Four years later and another 30k miles, and touch wood, all is good.....
M
mike9009 said:
I believe it is possible to replace just the tensioner. When I first had my MINI Clubman it sounded like a diesel (17k miles). The garage I bought it from replaced the tensioner which solved the issue.
Four years later and another 30k miles, and touch wood, all is good.....
M
I had the timing chain, tensioner and guides replaced plus two and a half hours labour. Four years later and another 30k miles, and touch wood, all is good.....
M
Another one here; my 2008 R56 JCW (N14) is soon to be having a new timing chain, thankfully under warranty, after I heard (and took a video of) the "death rattle" at startup. - It did actually start doing it during the cold weather last winter but sod's law dictated that the next week, when the car was booked-in with the dealer, was warmer and they couldn't find the problem.
I'd noticed that the rattle was more prevalent when the car had been parked nose down on a slope and with a month of warranty left, I left the car parked like that for a few hours. Recorded a video of it rattling on startup and gave my service advisor a copy. Result = new timing chain kit under the warranty (we bought it used last year).
My question, I suppose, is whether the new chain will be the end of it or am I likely to have ongoing problems because of the design? The car does 65 miles per day (commuting).
I'd noticed that the rattle was more prevalent when the car had been parked nose down on a slope and with a month of warranty left, I left the car parked like that for a few hours. Recorded a video of it rattling on startup and gave my service advisor a copy. Result = new timing chain kit under the warranty (we bought it used last year).
My question, I suppose, is whether the new chain will be the end of it or am I likely to have ongoing problems because of the design? The car does 65 miles per day (commuting).
Supposedly the replacement parts are of a improved design, shorter chain for one thing I believe, but having said that I know some cars are on their third set, whether the first couple were original design and therefore doomed to fail I've no idea
Two years since I replaced my tensioner and still OK touch wood.
Two years since I replaced my tensioner and still OK touch wood.
I did read about the death rattle when I was looking for my r56 MCS. I read the handbook with the understanding that it had a low oil light after the oil become low and having the rattle when arguing about it to mini and the oil consumption that they said was normal. It's not a normal amount of oil to use my Tvr uses less oil and has a loose race engine.
I was able to get some money off the tensioner and chain replacement as a good will. Still sounds like s
t on start up even having had it done. Just done 56k and had it replaced two years ago approx.
I was able to get some money off the tensioner and chain replacement as a good will. Still sounds like s
t on start up even having had it done. Just done 56k and had it replaced two years ago approx. rigga said:
In America they have due to the differing legal system and the class action law suits that were raised against mini America, here no, the oil consumption is because it's a performance engine, and the camchain never fails.
Yep the three different versions they have had to remake of the cam tensioner has nothing to do with your engine rattle just like the Thermostat housing that mysteriously fails on pretty much every r56 cooper s at around 50k miles resulting in loss of coolant and don't even mention the high pressure fuel pump that is in top top shape too..Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff