MINI R56 Timing Chain Replacement DIY (2007-2010 MINI Cooper S and 2009-2012 JCW's) N14 & N12 Engine

►2007-2010 MINI Cooper S and 09-12 JCW models with the N14 engine, also known as the R56 MINI, are known for timing chain issues. This video covers how to replace the timing chain without putting your R56 into "Service Position."

The R56 is known to develop the "death rattle" dubbed by the MINI community. This is caused by insufficient tension applied by the timing chain tensioner to the timing chain, allowing the timing chain to contact the sides of the engine. This is most noticeable on cold start-up but can be heard any time while driving if it's severe enough.

It's important to catch this problem before it becomes a larger issue as it can ultimately cause your timing chain to skip teeth on the camshaft gears (VANOS) and skip timing. If this happens, it means the destruction of your engine.

Without knowing how much timing chain stretch your N14 or N12 has experienced, we recommend performing an entire timing chain service rather than replacing only the timing chain tensioner. This will prevent catastrophic failure.

This DIY requires numerous special tools, and at a minimum, eight hours of your time. If you're a novice, it's recommended to seek professional help to complete this service.

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Buy Specialty Tools Here:

0:00 - Intro
1:31 - Tools required to replace MINI N14 Timing Chain
2:37 - Air Intake and Air Box Removal
3:52 - Headlight Removal
4:25 - Grille and U Brace Removal
6:21 - Remove the Intercooler Charge Pipes
9:00 - Taking off The Ignition Coils and PCV Hoses
10:04 - Removing the Valve Cover on an N14
11:36 - Spark Plug Removal and Locking the Tensioner
12:25 - Serpentine Belt Removal
13:50 - Positioning the Cams to Lock the Timing
15:15 - Lock the Crankshaft
15:45 - Using the N14 Timing Tools to lock the Timing
17:20 - Remove Crank Sprocket and Friction Wheel/Crank Pulley
17:58 - Remove Timing Chain Tensioner
18:30 - Removing the Engine Mount and Mount Bracket
19:10 - Engine Harness Brackets and additional Wiring Brackets for Clearance
21:11 - Insert Crank Lock Tool
22:00 - Remove Top Guide, Vanos/Cam Gears, and Guide Pins
23:40 - Lift out Timing Cassette
24:00 - Prepare New Timing Chain Kit
25:40 - Install New Crank Seal
26:28 - Install New Timing Cassette, Crank Hub, and Cam Gears
28:00 - Install Crank Bolt, Guide Pins, and Timing Chain Guide
29:25 - Pre Load Timing Chain Tensioner
30:00 - Torque To Yield Cam Gears
30:32 - Torque Crank Bolt
31:18 - Install New Timing Chain Tensioner
31:45 - Remove Timing Lock Tools and Hand Turn Over Engine
33:00 - Reinstall Accesories and Torque Down Accordingly
34:48 - Reinstall New Belts
35:15 - Reinstall Engine Mount Bracket and Mount
37:30 - Install a New Valve Cover Gasket and Valve Cover back onto Car
39:00 - Igntion System Installation
39:45 - Finish Buttoning Up Intake System
42:50 - Fire Up Car to Ensure it Runs properly
43:00 - Finish Buttoning up the Car
45:30 - Conclusion

Fits These Cars:
Mini Cooper
2007 Mini Cooper S 1.6L
Body: Hatchback, Chassis: R56
2008 Mini Cooper S 1.6L
Body: Hatchback, Chassis: R56
2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman
2009 Mini Cooper S Engine
2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman
2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit
2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman Engine Timing Chain Kit
2010 Mini Cooper S Engine Timing Chain Kit
2010 Mini Cooper S Clubman Engine Timing Chain Kit
2010 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit
2010 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman Engine Timing Chain Kit
2011 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit
2011 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman Engine Timing Chain Kit
2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit
2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman Engine Timing Chain Kit
2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit
2012 Mini Cooper Roadster John Cooper Works Engine Timing Chain Kit

Get free parts from FCP Euro:

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[fcpeuro]

**Correction** At 29:06 in the video we inadvertently put in the wrong torque spec for the 8mm bolts on the upper timing chain guide. The torque spec should be *8 Nm* NOT 30 Nm. We apologize for the confusion.

[stefanodeanjou]

For anyone doing this based off this video just two critical things 1. if there's a gap between the timing tools and the crank shaft is locked in the correct position(more on this in point 2 ) don't force or use the bolts to walk them closed as he called it. it really means the timing is off. and you run the risk of straining the timing tool out of proper alignment. use a 27mm open ended wrench to hold the cam shaft in place and loosen the cam gears accordingly. 2. As I found out the crank shaft can be locked in a number of positions not being the correct timed position and this my friends has happened to a number of persons hence setting the wrong timing on refitting so DTC codes codes and more codes. So along with having the writing on the cams turned upwards also make sure that all 4 pistons are in mid travel equal position respective to each other. you can do this by removing the spark plugs and stick equal length pencils or something similar in the holes to rest on top of the pistons and observe as you rotate the engine. you only need to use cylinders 1&2 as when they are equal all the others are also equal.

[robertverhasselt]

Been in the business almost 60 years. You did a great job and will be recommending your company’s services whenever necessary.

[RuslanSorokin]

Priceless video guide shared with MINI enthusiasts. Sincerely appreciate your efforts in releasing such a professional DIY, guys. Great job!

[TaylorMMontgomery]

Thank you for making this content free! Helpful to so many

[craig]

Hope as a novice person your video will help me do a timing chain correctly as my 1st ever timing chain replacement thank you 😊

[nickludu]

I'm going to do this tomorrow in my driveway watching you in one hand on My phone and wrenching with the other hand.

[Snzzberrs]

Wow, this seems like a pretty brutal job.

[scottcasey]

What a magnificent video!the camera work is world class.
The instructions are some of the clearest and meaningful as could ever be hoped for.
While I'm no where near beginner amateur wrencher I've never touched a Mini.
This video makes me feel this could be doable m.. Maybe lol
Thank you for a professional quality video!!

[leeh]

This is a fantastic DIY guide - Cory has a very comforting voice - lol. I have to say I wonder where I sit on the "novice" scale. I've done a lot of suspension stuff, axles, brakes, etc - what I call "nuts and bolts" jobs. I do have all the proper torque wrenches and tools, but stuff "inside the motor" is intimidating. I do wish the video had documented the point where the motor is in time more specifically as well as the bit with the borescope - obviously an important piece to get right - but overall extremely well-done and much appreciated!!

[pipolopez]

I did the procedure the way is indicated here and the vanos came off both the camshaft, I am not sure what I did wrong but they immediately came right off.
I opened up the valve cover to see the timing chain riding between both the sprockets, as soon as I saw that I felt a grim feeling I knew the engine was ruined.
I decided to give it a chance cus why not? I was already there, and put it back together.
I went under and put the crank shaft in time, took the vanos out, camshaft in time and put the gears back in, I tightened them wrench tight, they're not torqued, they're not over tight but they're definitely tight now, put the head back together and crossed my fighters, car started right up but it sounds like an effing diesel now, engine is definitely going to do one last ride if any, hopefully the new timing chain gives it another year but I wouldn't ride with this car through the desert if you know what I mean.
I re usted the old bolts tho and I know now by procedure you're supposed to put new bolts, first time doing this engine and i got to say it's definitely a fun engine to work on, it seems daunting here but once you're hands on doing it, it doesn't feel as bad as other cars I have worked on as a mater of fact is easier to time than most American cars and even if it looks claustrophobic and super tight there is enough room to work on most everything that needs service like the pumps belts and what not, you just got to ride the engine up and down wit the jack but there is plenty of room to work on the wheel weel.

Another point I have to say it's the crank bolt, it definitely can't go 50nm and then a 180⁰ turn; again reusing the bolts, I was fighting with it with my foot and once I got to around 100 and some degrees I decided to just stop
If you're reusing the bolts adjust accordingly, but honestly I would pony up the money for a kit that is worth a 🤬 that has new stretch bolts, gaskets and vanos, if you're there might as well and I would do, oil pump, water pump and timing chain depending of age.

Just food for thought 😎 don't buy cheap crap from eBay, my engine is definitely going to isht the bed at some point

[thespicepatel]

Thankyou for putting this guide on YouTube! I’m looking to get a mini soon and want to build to doing this myself. Will definitely help me in the months to come!

[bappilu]

Thanks for this video. Well done! i was able to start and complete this job on a N18 (seized chain tensioner, broke the top guide). The kit had everything i needed and and had fun doing this job. THANK YOU!!

[mysynthsandstuff]

Really impressive video. Now I know why people say I have to hope the timing chain doesn’t go on my 2007 Cooper S.

[ja]

Real good video !!!, I just bought a really nice 2007 mini no rust and pretty clean for real cheap price. The only thing I got to do, replace the engine cause bearing is bad in piston number 1.... so a video like this is a must.... the only engine I swapped was in my suzuki sidekick 1994, far différent !!!

Furthermore, all tools needed are described, simply amazing....
So thanks for the video, very appreciated....

[petetrimble]

Got the death rattle on my grand daughters car, not looking forward to the job, the video has given me more confidence, so thanks for that . Had it been a B, M, C mini of the 1960;s I knew those inside out, ah well . pete trimble

[aitutaki]

I own a 2013 Mini Cooper Coupe...the longer I own this car, which I bought used, initially for my wife when they recalled her Hyundai Optima, & then let my stepdaughter drive it for about a year, until after Hyundai had replaced (at no charge, under the recall) my wife's Optima engine...both my wife & my stepdaughter really beat the poor Mini Cooper, until my stepdaughter eventually cracked the number 2 piston...I had a machine shop fix the piston, & then I took over full use of the Mini Cooper from then on...I have a 2006 SAAB 9-3 Turbo as my daily driver, so initially I just left the Mini Cooper in the garage, & I had it professionally detailed by a mobile detailer...I had just a couple of minor repairs needed, so I took it to the shop...their policy is the first perform a complete bumper-to-bumper inspection of any automobile they are going to work on...they ended up quoting me $4.5 K for all parts & labor to fix everything, & anything either already in immediate need of repair, or perhaps would need to be fixed within the next 6 months to a year...I agreed to let them do everything, & it cost me $4, 500.00...they did an excellent job, & they had everything done in less than a week...they're not even a Mini Cooper shop...they work all types of cars...anyway, now I'm turning my Mini Cooper into my daily driver, & I really enjoy it! There's no way I would ever attempt changing the timing belt on my Mini Cooper>>you make it look far too easy 😂

[Rodrigo-sqbm]

Bro! You are the best! Gave me confidence in doing one of this 🤣 I am ordering the tool kit so I can start recommending them. Thank you for the very detailed video. You got yourself a new subscriber

[CharlesFowle]

Have to say I appreciate the hard work you guys do. You saved me $1900 and like $4k if I went to Mini. Sorry I didn't buy your parts though. They were not as cheap as others/ didn't have in stock. Ill keep you guys in my prayers! I owe you

[tourista]

When it comes to specialty tools like timing tools and crank holding tool, you guys should offer those as rentals