MINI Timing Chain and Valvetronic

Background

All GEN2 MINI Coopers come with an engine that as a bit of a compromise for BMW. They had successfully revived the brand, and they needed a 4-cyl engine FAST.  They collaborated with Peugeot-Citroen of France, and came up with the Prince engine, a mid-feature engine that was evolved over time. 

MINI has used a variation of this engine in these cars:

2007-2010 MINI Cooper (N12)

2007-2010 MINI Cooper-S (N14)

2011-2013 MINI Cooper (N16)

2011-2013 MINI Cooper-S (N18)

2011-2014 MINI Countryman (N16)

2011-2014 MINI Countryman-S (N18)

The Prince engine won many Best engine awards, and is generally a solid platform if maintained properly. As it is in such widespread use, its weak spots are well-known, and proven solutions have been developed to address them. Having worked in hundreds of them, we at CarHavn know them very well.

The Issue

Even though timing chains were supposed to be lifetime, reality has shown that they need to be replaced in the N12/14/16/18 engines as early as 70K miles.

The most common condition is a tensioner losing tensile power, which leads to a stretched timing chain. A stretched timing chain is very dangerous, as it risks getting out of sync and destroying the engine internally.

Symptoms

A failing timing system has some specific signature symptoms in this engine.

• Rattling in the timing chain area (the 'rattle of death')
• Elongated crank times
• A Check Engine Light
• Diagnostic Trouble Codes set in the car's computer (sometimes)

Some of the codes found in the Engine Computer Module are:

• 2DA2 Exhaust Camshaft: Angle Offset With Respect To Crankshaft Outside Tolerance
• 2DA0 Inlet Camshaft: Angle Offset With Respect To Crankshaft Outside Tolerance

On the Valvetronic/VANOS side, these codes indicate trouble:

• 2D54 Variable Camshaft Timing Control (VANOS), Exhaust, Cold Start Not Controllable
• 2D5A VANOS Intake: Control Fault, Camshaft Stuck

The only sure way to check for timing chain stretch is to remove the valve cover, and look at the guides and timing chain. An auditive check for 'rattle' is also a good diagnostic measure.

The Valvetronic system is also a weak point in these engines. Over time, the solenoids get dirty due to lack of frequent oil changes, and get clogged internally, losing their ability to regulate oil pressure. The only permanent solution is to replace them.

Repair

This is a major repair that needs a highly-trained MINI mechanic, very specific high quality parts, specialist and expensive tools, and a laptop to perform final adjustments.

The repair entails replacing the timing chain, guides, tensioner, and camshaft bolts. On the Valvetronic side, the solenoids and sprockets need to be changed. With al these new parts, the timing gets properly set with a angle/torque wrench to factory specs, and a final computer adjustment is made.

Parts List

This is the parts list we generally use (subject to change on a case-by-case basis):

• Timing Chain Kit - includes chain, guides, tensioner, bolts
• Camshaft Bolts
• Valve Cover Gasket
• Drive Belt
• BMW Engine Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid, Incl.Oil Control Valve, Variable Cam Timing
• Camshaft Adjuster Magnet w/ Bolt 
• Camshaft Seal 
• Mann-Filter Oil Filter
• LiquiMoly Motor Oil 5W-30 Leichlauf HT -

Additional Work

When doing the timing chain, a number of parts need to come out. We always advise our guests to take advantage of the opportunity to save on labor, and upgrade parts like water pump, thermostat, drive belts, coils, and spark plugs, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket. These can be done for the parts price alone, or a minimal additional labor.

Result

A smooth running MINI with no rattle of death! All of our customers can feel the difference in the way the car drives, but most importantly, you will be avoiding the high and expensive risk of a massive mechanical event in your engine.