R53 Timing Chain | How to replace the timing chain on an R53 Mini Cooper S

R53 Timing Chain | How to replace the timing chain on an R53 Mini Cooper S
In this video I’m replacing the timing chain on my R53 Mini Cooper S.
Timing chain kit: speedtechmotorsports.com/prod...
ARP 206-1001 Camshaft Sprocket Bolt Kit for R53 Mini Cooper S : (commission earned) amzn.to/3pAQcfJ
Silicone Intercooler Boots | Black | Fits Gen 1 MINI Cooper S (2002-2006) (commission earned) amzn.to/3pKb6ZT
Crankshaft Pulley Puller Set - BMW Mini: (commission earned) amzn.to/2Ya7wwW
Serpentine Belt Tool R53 Belt Remover Tensioner Tool Compatible for Mini Cooper S R52 R53 BMW W11 Supercharge Engine: (commission earned) amzn.to/39dkboQ
R53 Mini Cooper S crank pulley install (how to) • R53 Mini Cooper S cran...
R53 Idler Pulley | Replacing the idler pulley on an R53 Mini Cooper S (how to) • R53 Idler Pulley | Rep...
02-06 Mini Cooper timing chain tensioner replacement (the easy way) • 02-06 Mini Cooper timi...
Project Mini,
Maintenance, Modifications & Repairs made easy.
My goal is to help as many people as possible to keep their Mini Coopers on the road. I find the easiest way to do all the maintenance that these cars are known for, plus I’ll teach you how to do your own performance and esthetic mods. Subscribe to my channel and let’s keep the amazing Mini Cooper community on the road!!!
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R53 Mini Cooper S- How to’s: • R53 Mini Cooper S - ho...
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Tools every Mini Cooper owner needs.
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1. Bentley service manual
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2. BMW specific code reader
Foxwell NT510 Elite (This is what I use): amzn.to/3bAuRgX
AUTOPHIX BMW Diagnostic Scanner Tool (cheaper): amzn.to/3lT8xnF
3. Timing chain tool
EWK W10 W11 R50 R52 R53 Camshaft Locking Fixture Timing Chain Special Tool for Mini Cooper 2001-2006: amzn.to/3shwbMV
EWK Camshaft Timing Chain Cam Locking Tool for Mini Cooper S N14 R55 R56: amzn.to/3jTo84W
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Hose clamp pliers: amzn.to/2QZ0HKW
Cable type hose clamp pliers: amzn.to/3lSRW3l
6. Thin wall spark plug sockets
OSOF 14mm & 16mm Spark Plug Socket Thin Wall 12-Point Removal Tool 3/8 inch Square Drive Set: amzn.to/2QYBrED
7. Torx bits
GEARDRIVER 23-Piece Torx Bit Socket and External Torx Socket Set, Premium S2 and Cr-V Steel Made, Tamper Proof Bit Sockets, Storage Case Included: amzn.to/2FbgKCy
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[@ProjectMini]

- Facebook groups - Mini Cooper R53 Enthusiasts: facebook.com/groups/164990851647892/?ref=share R56 Mini Cooper S enthusiasts: facebook.com/groups/729821991242039/?ref=share Mini Cooper DIY: facebook.com/groups/518907605479579/?ref=share

[@christianhernandez5836]

Awesome video man! Glad to see someone still making R53 repair videos in 2021!

[@ProjectMini]

Thank you!

[@terrysands5646]

love all your videos.keep up the good work.

[@1way2doit]

Amazing video. Good job - thanks for sharing and contributing to keeping these great cars on the road.

[@hasaelmonty7531]

Freaking awesome very informative thank you so much seriously one of the best videos I seen badass work buddy cheers

[@ProjectMini]

Thank you! 🙏

[@danlegg1991]

This is so awesome I’m glad this exsists

[@shaun8256]

Nice couldn't believe how easy this was to do, you did a whole lot more take this apart take that apart then I did. Bought the tool to hold the cam shaft but it really did seem like it was necessary, but if you ever do one use it anyways. All in all it took me the time of this video to do my timing set up and it was the first I've ever done.

[@nickbohman2997]

Amazing video! Thanks so much man!

[@MrLansonemerson]

great video, I am considering taking on this project and found this video very helpful

[@geoffreyrawlings9736]

Excellent video well presented loads of good infor.Thanks

[@ProjectMini]

Thank you 🙏

[@rickydub6950]

Excellent diy video man, been watching your vids to research plenty of work i have planned on my r53 😂

[@wellsyaknow]

very helpful thank you

[@puuessi2]

Excellent video.

[@ProjectMini]

Thank you 🙏

[@douglasangelflores6796]

Excelente videos.

[@jasminegoin5006]

Using a metal coat hanger vs the actual pin makes that part a lot easier.

[@ProjectMini]

If you’re referring to the pin on the belt tensioner, that does sound a lot easier 👍

[@OnYourSquare]

I tried to use a hanger, but once i release the tension, the pressure from the tensioner deforms it to the point it either sheers or bent and was a b*tch to pull out. Now I simply jack stand the front end. Where the tension bar inserts in the tensioner, has a bit of a lip and stick out. So I use a pump jack and a thin crowbar and from the bottom, lightly push the tensioner up. Boom. Belt changed in less than 3 minutes.

[@kelpking4484]

Those little wobble extensions are essential for working on these or bmws

[@ironmantooltime]

Stellar 👍

Thank you!

[@fmorelli]

After you've pulled the bumper, front core, inner liner ... spray degreaser everywhere and let soak. Then hit it with a pressure washer and get all that gunk out. Put a tarp under and maybe some cardboard, that will catch most of the junk. Let dry over night. Beats working in a oil pig stye!

[@emeraldaisle2927]

Very, very good video. I have a 2002 S with 49K and thinking of changing the tensioner and chain guides. I'm thinking the guides are brittle due to age. The crankshaft seal and timing gasket seal leak. Will change those, too. The idler pulley was shot as was the tensioner pulley and hydraulic strut. I'm not gonna mess with the timing chain until much later. I've changed every coolant and power steering hose and o-rings about the block and manifolds and most gaskets because this thing leaked everywhere. The car never dropped a drop of oil onto the floor because the Arizona dust stuck to it and made it into instant taffy. Never seen so much oil and power steering everywhere in my life. Supercharger was low on oil. O-rings we're old. Changed that. Be careful that is an expensive repair if you let it get dry.

[@hipoman8087]

great vid! would have been safer to install cam lock down tool before taking out cam tensioner ? are there gguide made of metal with a teflon pad like performance ones for ford ohc motors?

[@nenorb28]

Thanks!

[@randywilliams500]

Thanks for the demo! Is it a must the crank sprocket be replaced?

[@donzine12]

very cool

[@sergiomk1swap536]

Hola,buen trabajo amigo! El ling de las junta de la tapa de bomba de aceite?

[@marcosbeltran6667]

Can this problem make sure car loose power when your trying to use it ?

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Do you know where I can get a diagram of all the coolant hoses for the Mini Cooper S r52 as I'm replacing the w8th silicone one a d have searched on for a diagram but have only seem partially diagrams

[@ProjectMini]

Google images should have one

[@joshuareed3415]

29:15 I'm not seeing the gasket kit link in the description. Where'd you get the kit?

[@dylanmckinnon5372]

I’m checking to see if I have to replace my guides now on my r53 is the chain typically loose on the front side of the engine with tensioner installed?

[@jeromea1659]

The tensioner is Engine oil pressured it may have some slack...if cold and relaxed. If you have had the Death rattle symptoms. Swap out that Part easy to do.

[@TheModelGuy]

How long did this process take? I’m a heavy truck tech

[@mattjparker]

Might have missed this but what time stamp in the video do you remove the timing chain tensioner? Since you said you tested the crank with the crank bolt to get the sprocket dowel pins to align horizontally with top of engine.

[@n8n82012]

19:35

[@arturszirdzins2936]

Fuckin hell mate, that a patiente, film it, explain, repair.. thank you, useful.

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Hi great video. Need a bit of help. My timing chain holders broke, and the chain cracked the timing chain oil cover, and the tensioner was not working. I think the chain was slipping. How do I find TDC after I have replaced the chain with the fact that the chain has been slipping. Thanks for your help . My car is an R53

[@joshuareed3415]

I'm trying to figure out the same about TDC. After I removed the tensioner and went to move the crank to lock the cam, I heard the chain skip a tooth. I feel like the tensioner should've been removed after locking the cam in place.

[@jaimeconcha9214]

And the crankshaft sprocket?

[@Cerebro960]

Hello Friend how are You?? Hey but shouldn't you have changed the gears too?? They too suffer wear.

[@knucklehead1103]

hi bro where's your tool discription because i gonna do it my self your ver talented an just how youdid felt kike it was walk in the park any tips bro

[@Richard-ps7ht]

How many hours labour would a job like this normally take? Great video. 👍

[@christinacook3508]

Recently discovered I can't insert the dipstick all the way. Research says it's because of the housing for it is broken. Can you help? Any videos?

[@ProjectMini]

What engine do you have?

[@pleasepassthejam]

was your dipstick broken inside it?

[@alconk7129]

Very good video but I need help. After installing the chain and timed to the book the car won’t start and get a po341 cam sensor code. I took everything back apart and double checked everything and all is good so figured had a bad new cam sensor. Replaced it with another new cam sensor and same thing. I don’t know what to do now??

[@TrevorMinton]

hey I'm having the exact same problem with my R53. P0341, and twice the car wouldn't start (not even crank) unless I removed the negative battery cable and re-attached it. I replaced my timing chain a few months ago and the problem did not start then - this started after I replaced the camshaft and a bad rocker arm this weekend. I came to this video to watch the process again (Project Mini - thank you, this video is excellent) because I'm planning to re-do the timing this weekend, like you just did. The car seems to be reacting the way it would if it was mis-timed, so I'm thinking I messed up the timing while I changed out the camshaft. If you or anyone else has any new experience to add to this I'd love to hear it!

[@alconk7129]

@@TrevorMinton mine turned out that the crank sprocket sheared off the dowel pin and spun

[@TrevorMinton]

@@alconk7129 oh that sounds bad... did you repair that or did that kill the car?

[@alconk7129]

@@TrevorMinton nope repaired it

[@hamidbabaei5819]

Hi where is your base ?

[@swartzsubaru]

What all came in the timing chain kit? one sprocket, a tensioner, chain, and one guide rail, or both?

[@ProjectMini]

Both guides, tensioner and chain.

[@2dafac3]

Do I need to get the first piston tdc when I put my r53 back in time or just line up all the marks on the timing chain?

[@ProjectMini]

The bentley service manual doesn’t mention anything about tdc.

[@2dafac3]

@@ProjectMini Thank You I’ll try it then.

[@kevinmartin3645]

@@ProjectMini thanks for the effort in putting this video together! I’m a concerned with this info as I’ve apparently messed up my timing replacing my cam. Now I need to see the alignment clearly as if replacing the chain. However this could result in being 180off in timing depending on which way I go with the crank! Any word of wisdom here?

[@kevinmartin3645]

I think I answered my own question. Piston is either up or down … cam position sensor determines fire or exhaust stroke. So as long as the marks align should be in good shape. Crossing my fingers…

[@ozonebu3746]

@@kevinmartin3645did you ever figure your issue out?

[@jeremyocampo1529]

How long did it took you to replace the timing chain?

[@ProjectMini]

It took me all day because i was filming it. It should only take a few hours normally.

[@joelbergmann6936]

Why didn't you replace the cam and crank gears?

[@ProjectMini]

The kit didn’t come with them. I might do then later though

[@orustusamunade8936]

Good God this is a ton of work :-(

[@ProjectMini]

It wasn’t that bad. It’s a lot of easy stuff

[@guym9411]

Theres not a cat in hells chance ill be tacklin that fooker.

[@ChrisNieves]

Man no start?

[@ProjectMini]

I did this job while i had a spun bearing, if you look at a newer video i start it after the bearings are replaced

[@ChrisNieves]

@@ProjectMini ​ @Project Mini i didnt mean for it to come off negatively at all wasnt my intensions just the cliffhanger lol. I have a weird problem with my r53 but its too much to type related to the timing. its not that its out of time because the car is way easy to time properly with the cover off but even with a brand new chain and guides im still getting slack only on the no tensioner side. i cant understand why and also the chain sawed through the bottom rail on the timing cover. this is a brand new chain and yes ive replaced the tensioners a few times with new ones and tried the washer trick as well-by adding a small washer to create more tension on the tensioner. Wendy (my r53) has me baffled. This all started when I replaced my head due to a burnt exhaust valve. before that i didnt have and chain issues at all not even a little. I thought i got a bad head so I replaced it again come to find out both were fine and its my chain slack on the front non tensioner side. Thats the gist.