2002 2006 Mini Cooper S R50 R52 R 53 Engine Type Single Overhead Cam Timing Chain Replacement Video

[@ChrisNieves]

I just wanted to add I did a complete timing service yesterday flowing your video. it really puts in perspective in relation to my Bentley manual which has to me a bit of a vague description and have illustrated the marks being at 12 and 6 in relation to the motor. This was a slow detonation for my r53 mini and Im glad I tackled the job myself including all seals in a driveway sitting on the floor in about 5 hours taking my time. with your video and now understanding its a really easy process and those rods are a lifeline to getting it all lined up correctly. the oil pump gear though was another story that kept turning during reinstallation was a pain but it all went back together. I was able to manipulate the engine up an down via trolley jack to avoid having to put it in front end service mode at all everything slid out nicely. Thank you again and Ill be doing this service at every couple of years from here out.

[@matthewsacca188]

Thanks for this video! The Bentley manual shows the two bottom notches with the the leftmost one straight down. Then in a followup picture it shows the cam shaft in a position that it simply cannot be with the colored links on the right teeth. However, with the crankshaft in the position you show, sure enough the cam shaft is in the right position. I had it correct but it's nice to have this extra clarification!

[@I69Sk8er69I]

It can take up to 60 revolutions to get the teeth and chain to line up properly

[@cspreach1963]

Does the dimple on the camshaft have a special role to play in the timing??? I have the 3 bright links all lined up but I swear the dimple is used for the timing somehow.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

I'm not sure what you mean by dimple or where it's located. Maybe shoot a pict and send it?

[@gnested]

Thank you for posting this vid. You are right. There are a ton of dual overhead cam videos, but no SOHC.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Your welcome. We are working on another Mini too and we'll try to post some quick tips we figure out as we go.

[@borisjohnson7760]

Just some info! there is timing marks you can use , as in the vid the top pulley ,,make sure the arrow on the pulley is in the middle and the two holes line up even on the head. Now bottom pulley as in vid the two dots will be on the right side, where the crank is there is two halfs of the engine ,there is a horizontal line that runs across behind the pulley ,make sure there is a dot on the bottom half of the line and the top dot is right on the line If you look at the vid you can see. Hope this helps ps there should be 26 links from top mark to first bottom mark on the right chain side.

[@aazt5792]

thanks for the video please tell me where the pistons should be , in autodata they say the pistons N1 should be to TDC

[@dgdg2836]

Hi do you have a video on how to take everything apart to get to the timing chain?

[@I69Sk8er69I]

i can't beleive anyone downvoted you. You provided key information that you learn on your own. Btw my service manual says to not heat the sprocket past 302 degrees F aka 150 degrees Celsius. pm me if you need a couple pdfs of something from my manual. It says it's only for 02 03 and 04 buuuuuuut it seems more like it will work for up to 07

[@aazt5792]

please send me the manuel , i have an autodata software they say to timing chain the piston n1 has to be in top dead center TDC is it right ?

[@I69Sk8er69I]

Sorry. I only just saw this reply. You need to set it to TDC yes. There’s a $20 tool that can help you with that.

[@UKFreddie]

Well done great video.cheers

[@Playdamac]

Great video sir!!!

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Hi I accidently took the cam sproket off and thinking it was aligned becuase I wanted to take the head off. And now the crankshaft and camshaft are out aligneed. How do I get them back into alignment

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

So the only for sure way to fixit is to remove the Crank Shaft pulley and then the engine side cover. That way you will be able to see the Crankshaft gear marks, the Cam Shaft Gear marks, and the marks on the Timing Chain. I presoaked the Crankshaft pulley with plenty of Seafoam Deep Creap Penetrating Oil. It's the best stage I've been able to find fir really stuck parts. I do also use PB Blaster but the Deep Creep will sink in more for this job. So why were you taking the head off? I do have a few heads around here yet myself.

[@IsraelitesUnited]

@Jeff-bk4nm To check if the valves are bent when the timing chain guides broke and the chain was loose, which took bits out of the oil pump cover timing chain cover.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

@@IsraelitesUnited So you already have the cover off and you can see both gears? Also if that happened you should replace that cover with the oil pump together and also the oil cooler and flush the lines to make sure there are no metal parts in the Oiler cooler system. You can get the cover and oil pump as one unit pretty cheap on amazon. Also the oil cooler. Additionally if things really did fall down in the engine you should take off the oil pan and clean it too. I know it’s a pain to do. And were the valves ok after all of that? 

Let me know how things turn out.

[@deborahadams8643]

I had no access to a cam lock so I carefully used a wrench on the flats of the crank to torque the camshaft bolt.

[@ChrisNieves]

great video, I think I jumped a tooth in timing this morning due to a failed tensioner-again. Any surprises taking the timing cover off? if im replacing the chain, can I use your method with the marks on the horizontal line for the crank sprocket (all pistons level) and adjust my cam sprocket to lock in that 12 position to place my locking tool and install that chain with the dark links in their respective positions? if im out of time which I believe I am ill lave to adjust one or the other into the correct position. Thank you very much and looking forward to your reply.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

No surprises. Take the timing cover off if you can. Its easier to see all of the arks and know you're in TDC. Also this will prevent you from having slack in the timing chain on the non-tension side so that you wont be a tooth off when you reassemble the tensioner.

[@ChrisNieves]

@@Jeff-bk4nm I did notice that and I thank you. After several rotations and seeing the rods I placed in the spark holes and reassembly made it really simple. You really killed it with this video

[@orlandomercado4849]

having an issue i ordered a new shortblock now i have timed it with the engine #1 piston being at top dead center it barely wants to start but i dose after a few cranks did ur engine crank right up when u started urs

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

It should fire almost instantly. Did you do the stick trick and make all of the pistons were even ate the time to TDC? How does it run after it starts? Keep in touch.

[@orlandomercado4849]

No sir i just put the # one pistonat tdc if u could give me a call that would be awesome 4323083429

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Glad I could help. Let me know how things turn out.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

A quick note: In the video I say the crank shaft sprocket it pressed on tight.... actually it is as close as possible to the block but, make sure it is not touching or grinding on anything as you install the sprocket.

[@fezh4543]

Jeff Wolslegel Hey great video btw and yeah no one has R53 generation video of this job so I glad find it and thanks for posting this video Anyways I replaced my timing chain tensioner and camshaft sensor but rattle still there on cold start and camshaft sensor code too so I’m sure i might need to get the timing kit for my R53 Did you run into any problems after installing everything back together everything run smoothly I’m in need on what to do either pay $1200 to not screw up with my Mini Or try to tag this job my self I have done a supercharged service and water pump on my mini but timing I know different story lol So my big question is How difficult is to put it back in time? And probably not much space to work on too right? And I don’t need to put it in service mode right? Can be done from passenger side right? Thanks again this video definitely does help

[@I69Sk8er69I]

@@fezh4543 search ebay for a used service manual. maybe $50 - $75 USD. It's a god send and i read mine regularly and familiarize my self intamately with repairs before doing them. Aside from the fact there isn't a ton of bolt and nut head sizes it's perfect for a DIY guy. I"m terrified and filled with anxiety every repair too, but I have never broken it yet. I"ll be doing a tentioner replacement then a kit swap if that doesn't stop my clicking. It might be the rockers idk idk idk ass hole previous owners.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

@@I69Sk8er69I Hey, Just to give you a heads, up almost every one I have worked on that was making noise the problem has been a lower connecting rod bearing. If you remove the oil pan you can actually reach up and grab a hold of the rod and try to wiggle it to see how much play you have. If yours is out you will know it right away by doing this.

[@I69Sk8er69I]

I just read this. Thanks for the reply. I’ll check that out sometime after I do the guide rails and chain. I replaced the tensioner and that almost completely solved my issue. I hear some tapping in the morning until I rev up my engine, but I have this gahd awful leak. Someone on northamericanmotor suggested it could be the crank sensor. I’ll be observing that soon.

[@PasteckMan]

Helo Jeff My camshaft broke. I changed it , and the valvle But i can't get rid off that pulley... So i put the 4 pistons at same high , but how the sprocket at the top must go? (Pardon my english, it's not my 1st language)

[@eddiecox7450]

Did you have to have a puller to get the crankshaft pulley off

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Yes I used a harmonic balancer puller... However I did have to go to the local hardware store and find the correct size/length screws and extra washers to make the puller work. It was very stuck. Try using SeaFoam Deep Creep penetrating oil and letting that sit on it overnight.

[@eddiecox7450]

@@Jeff-bk4nm I went and bought a new puller and had to get different bolts and washers too and yes it was really on there but my impact wrench got it off now waiting on the timing chain set to get here so I can replace that but still worried about the timing gear on the crankshaft not sure what kind of puller to get for that

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

@@eddiecox7450 I assume you're buying a set of gears, chain, and guides. Make sure to get a new tensioner for sure. Also you may want to replace the oil pump witch is part of that side of the engine cover locate one inside of it. You can get a whole new cover and pump for about $80. As for the crank sprocket we had tombs a torch and heat it up along with a3 jaw puller. Let me know how it works.

[@eddiecox7450]

@@Jeff-bk4nm yes I’m replacing everything, I bought a torch because I thought I would have to heat it up. I didn’t know about the oil pump but I’ll check into that too. Thanks for your help

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

@@eddiecox7450 Good Luck

[@grzmotg.g3175]

Suuuper. 👍

[@haule4426]

So the w11 engine use bdc instead of tdc?

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

No Top Dead Center... Think that's what your asking

[@haule4426]

I can’t get my chain tensioner to release.. help please

[@sailr8833]

Hi, thanks for this video. Do you need to drain out all the engine oil to take the timing cover/case off, or does most of it stay in the sump? Thanks!

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Hey, We drained the oil out before we remover the crank case cover. I'm not exactly sure how high that oil level sits in the engine when it's not running. I would recommend draining it just to be sure. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@sailr8833]

Jeff Wolslegel Thanks for the quick reply!👍

[@hipoman8087]

Good time to replace oil pan gasket and fix a stripped drain plug.

[@UGHH_PPL]

Is a timing chain replacement a service recommended by a certain mileage or is it something that needs to be replaced if the guides are broken or the chain is stretched

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

I think its supposed to be you'd have todo a quick search for the recommended milage for that. At least change the timing chain tensioner as those are known to fail.

[@I69Sk8er69I]

@@Jeff-bk4nm if you stayed on your oil, and your replaced your tentioner if it ever began to fail you should have reasonably no wear at all. And i would suggest running the highest premium fuel you can to avoid carbon build up on the valves. Also use premium European blend properly weighted oil.

[@sectorjunkie]

What puller did you use to pull off the lower crank sprocket?

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

We had to heat it up and use a torch. Our puller would not work. It was to stuck for it..

[@morepower3242]

Great video 🎉❤

[@chelseabonilla9754]

Hey bud I’m having a problem here My car won’t start and I have a code set For the cam sensor ran comp in all cylinders and it’s all there do you thin my timing is off maybe ?? I can seem to find if the Tim is good or not

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Sounds like it could be your cam sensor. If thats what its tested I'd start with that. It's a pretty easy fix if you have a jack and some tools. If I remember right you have to remove the top of the passenger side engine mount to access the cam sensor, that's where the jack will be needed. Then it's one 8mm or 10mm bolt that holds the sensor in. The sensor installs easier if you put a little engine oil on the o-ring of the sensor before installing. You can get the part on Amazon pretty cheap too. Thanks for checking out the Video...

[@sailr8833]

Did you need to drain all the coolant out when removing the thermostat and cylinder head?

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Yes you do, but draining the coolant is not needed to replace the timing chain cover. Did you possibly mean the valve cover?

[@sailr8833]

Jeff Wolslegel thanks for the reply. I'm taking cylinder head off. I removed lower radiator hose but only a little coolant came out, about 500ml? Most of it was clear like water lol...

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Hey.... No, not a lot comes out when you remove the hoses but, if you remove the supercharger or the thermostat be prepared because a lot will come out. Thanks for checking out the Vid....

[@randylegall2162]

"who is the best -and why are you"

[@rogersj402]

Can you do a video on fitting a sports cam please

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Yes, I can if someone could provide me with a cam. I have a R52 John Cooper Works edition I'am going to start working on here pretty quick.... as soon as I sell my current Monster Built R53 which I will be posting on here pretty quick as soon as finish the paint restoration.

[@benking9503]

I did a head gasket today and put it all back together but I put the first piston on tdc with the 2 outer pistons up and 2 iner down with my cam locking off tool in place and when to start it and no compression, I nee the timing was out, so are you telling me that bmw mini set there timing marks not at tdc!? 🙄

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

As you're putting the engine into TDC all the pistons will be about even and you should be able to see the chain mark and the cam mark together and turn the crank to verify that #1 pistons TDC is in fact going down then. My guess is that it may have been on the correct link on the (top) cam sprocket but, not on the correct link on the (bottom) crank shaft sprocket. The only way to make sure it's correct now is to pull off the side cover of the engine so you can see both the chain, crank, and cam marks all at the same time. If you'r going to do all that I would recommend changing the tensioner, sprockets, and chain too so it's all done. NOTE: If anything blew up or broke on your motor you may also want to replace that side cover with a new one because it also contains the oil pump on the back side of that engine cover plate. Also there is a small oil cooler on the back of the oil filter bracket that should be changed so that there is no metal in the system to ruin all of your hard work.

[@emmanuelmonge6965]

Thank you.

[@paulwisdom5383]

Top trick for the bottom pulley - Leave it in a freezer. It'll contract, you can put a bit of engine oil on the shaft and easily tap it on :) Thank me later :)

[@I69Sk8er69I]

Won’t that make it more difficult to put on?

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

I don't think I'd Recommend this.

[@jesusleyva4861]

Took off everything and the chain has no marks on the chain trying to time it have the cover off but cant find any dark links

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

The replacement chain and sprocket I purchesed had the links and the marks. I'll try to take a look at the stock chain and see if it has the same dark links as the replacement chain. Maybe someone else that sees this could also add to the conversation? Good luck

[@jesusleyva4861]

Jeff Wolslegel thanks for the reply i ordered a new chain that has the marked links so finnaly getting this thing back up and running this week hopefully just waiting game now till parts come in

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Hey, just a quick note question I go and dig my original chain out to check.... Did your stock chain have the dark links on it when you compleately removed it?

[@jesusleyva4861]

Jeff Wolslegel it did not have any dark links at all ill upload a pic around 4 when im off work

[@JompZ34]

My chain has no marks either, any solution?

[@ahigazy5198]

We need camshaft installation video

[@joshbell3867]

Are the sticks all even across the top it looks like the outer two are a little higher I’m trying to time my 2005 Mini Cooper s

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Yes they are all the same. One possible reason they may not be perfect is if a connecting rod bearing is worn out or one of the connecting rods is bent, broken, or damaged. Let me know if this helps.

[@joshbell3867]

So none of the sticks are at tdc I’ve went through a lot of confusion trying to figure this out

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Correct. The marks will line up on the crank sprocket and the cam shaft sprocket and all of the pistons will be in a lower position. Just keep rotating. Sometimes it takes a long time to get it all synced up. @@joshbell3867

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

So What did you mean by trying to time your Mini? Why? @@joshbell3867​

[@joshbell3867]

So my mini spun a rod bearing and I’m getting the crank resurfaced and all that good stuff so my motors all apart

[@navinraj1492]

I done as you

[@navinraj1492]

But my car doing back fire

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

So why are you fixing the vehicle. Were you able to set the timing on the marks and at TDC before started? If you give meow info I can try to help you.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

If it worked for you great, but the whole cam kit is pretty inexpensive.

[@rayrice3786]

Jeff I had to replace the came I was a dumb ass forgot to tighten cam bolted shared dial pin now crank rotated and now not timed. Any Idea to get it aligned for the timing to be right. Ray Rice

[@rayrice3786]

Cam not Came

[@rayrice3786]

please replie to [e-mail]

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Sorry I missed this earlier... The only way to make sure it's correct now is to pull off the side cover of the engine so you can see both the chain, crank, and cam marks all at the same time.

[@Jeff-bk4nm]

Glad it worked out for you

[@tonyrood2347]

,

[@RemmicFlores]

Thanks for doing the work grate video nice gob!!!