Mini N14 Timing Chain Replacement

This video will walk you through the steps of replacing a timing chain on a Mini N14 engine. It includes tools and torque specs to do the job.

I removed the engine and transmission because I had other work besides the timing chain. Know that you do not need to remove the engine to replace the timing chain on this engine. You also do not need to remove the front of the vehicle, but it can make things easier. Everything can be done inside the vehicle. The only steps not included in this video are the removal of the front passenger wheel and inner fender liner.

I had some help with editing on this one from Javan Hovind.

Thanks for watching!

Parts

Tools

Other videos in Mini Series (Links posted when available)

Mini Cooper R56 Clutch Replacement:

Mini Cooper N14 Cylinder Head Removal:

Mini Rear Hatch Latch Repair:

Mini Cooper (R56) Parking Brake Cable Replacement:

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ETCG

Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[bodgitandleggitgarage]

Another great video mate not a lot of YouTubers with admit to their mistakes they just hide them and pretend they never happened so thumbs up for you to admitting it at the end of the day we all make mistakes were only human your videos are real and not fake like a lot of others

[MrDookie]

Eric is awesome at bringing the viewer a detailed teardown of a great engine and simplifies the process overall. Without this detailed information people would feel lost and worried - keep up the good work.

[michaelblacktree]

I respect the fact that you're not afraid to admit your mistakes. We're all human. And we probably learn more from our mistakes than our successes.

[ChrisNieves]

Love your videos.
I just replaced the timing chain in my r53 Mini, I have the same issues with the rattle and when I opened her up there was plastic guide pieces everywhere. My chain stretched so much it was way out of time-advanced by a few teeth, Im glad I have a non interference engine because it would've been the end. While I was there I replaced the cam with a Schrick performance cam (mild).

In my trials with the tensioner and removing the valve cover so many tomes I can probably do the complete job in about 2 hours wheels up wheels down-I memorized all the bolt sizes and locations :)

[spelunkerd]

I don't understand why timing chains are designed with a complex plastic guide, that will undoubtedly become brittle with heat and time. The whole advantage to a chain is less maintenance. I really like the honest way you presented this, it is core ETCG!

[wtyrrel]

Wow.. a timing chain with a lower life expectancy than a belt. All the downsides; no upsides! More parts! More specs! Get yours today.
Thank you so much, Eric, for making me happy I did not buy a Mini (or other BMW)...

[AbdulrahmanFarg]

I’m from Egypt 🇪🇬 and I love your videos so much, thank you for all informations and tricks you provide for us, much appreciation 💜

[nijloveanugelu]

Hy Eric!My name is Nijloveanu Gelu.Y live in Romania.Here we have a lot of cars with timing chains (vw, Skoda, Fiat, Opel).When you don't see a gear key, that means that the gear lock is based on friction and pressure of the gear on to the crank face.Usualy that means that you have a strech bolt for crankshaft.That means you have to tight the crankshaft bolt not by nm but by degrees.Before you do the job carrefully inspect the data for the engine to find the correct procedure of tightening the crankshaft bolt.
Ps:Strech bolt= elastic bolt.When you tighten by degrees you stretch the bolt and it is streching, and while is heating up it is maintaining the pressure applied to the gear, head, etc.

[ziggassedup]

I have replaced 2 head gaskets on those Minis..One was a Supercharged Cooper S and the other was an NA powered unit...BMW wanted $6, 500 to do the job...I used no cam/crank timing tools...Not a too bad of a job actually...Pretty satisfying results.

[victweezy]

Videos like this make me happy. I feel like I'm chilling in the garage with my dad or a good friend who knows a thing or two about Mini engines. I'm a SBC and LS guy, and I know my way around an EcoTech, so it's fun to learn about these Euro 4 bangers. Thanks for what you do man.

[nfreeman]

I love that fact that you own your mistakes. Up until I started watching your channel I always felt like I was doing something wrong because no repair I did was ever as easy as the auto shows made it out to be. Great series, I love the little mini coopers. Wife won't let me get one because she hates the look of the center dash. Petty, I know, but what are you going to do. Thanks for the vids and instruction.

[commodore]

good video, I recently had the timing belts, replaced on my Alfa Romeo 156 V6, open heart surgery looked easier .
It's a very good reason to keep up with regular oil changes, that can have bearing on timing chain wear,

[MrHammerj]

Love your videos. New owner of 2009 mini copper s. Arrives in few days. Needs a lot of work. Can’t wait to get it up to road worthy. Thank you so much for your knowledge. Really appreciate your videos.

[jayyoutube]

I am glad mistakes are made, and pointed out. It really helps those of us that couldn’t afford to make this mistake. Not everyone could be sunk into a car payment, and this repair cost ..

[davidrasch]

This car might be a candidate for a project car for folks like me. Always good to see a mechanical expert do this type work. I look for the tools he uses to add to my list.

[photoshopman]

Oh good grief! Glad I didn’t try and get one of these!

What an pain!

Thanks Eric for sharing including your mishaps along the way. Shows you’re human and mistakes happen.

[strongme]

I just accomplished this today!
Another way to perform the second stage on the crank bolt is a have a very long extension (half inch) with the breaker bar that clears the fender to turn the tool 180* in one shot. This is what I did.

[madjack]

Thank you a thousand times!
I managed to repair my Peugeot 207 (same engine with same issue) after watching the video a thousand times and taking precise notes (specially to avoid wrong torque procedures). Additionally, I received copies from an original Peugeot workshop manual from a friend at Peugeot and watched another very detailed video on youtube.

What I found weird is, that my car ran only about 25.000 miles when the problems began, so practically new. First owner was an elderly man (father of a friend of mine). The car was always properly maintained and taken care of. After they introduced a better chain tensioner in 2009, Peugeot was advised to exchange the faulty one in older models. I suspect that in the case of my car (model year 2007), the shop just ignored this (even though the car was periodically at the shop for service) and let the former car owner drive on. They knew he doesn't drive a lot and guessed that an engine failure wouldn't occur soon. At the end he died and I took over the car with the old version of the tensioner but still running good. After about 2.000 miles the damage was done.

[trezsr]

Love the torque spec voiceover!! Those of us who know you, know you just "snugged it up to 30 Nm's" with the muscle memory torque wrench built into your right arm. Oops watched the end. Now I see why the voiceover. That was a bummer but a great teaching tool.

[autotalon]

Hey good call on the scrubby pad, i put in a set of cams the other week and found a tiny spot of surface rust on one of the cam seal surfaces from storage. I used a 3000 grit foam sanding pad normally for detailing and smoothed it right out. It was so gentle it didnt take the discoloration away, yet felt perfectly smooth. Love the videos.