How to replace the timing chain on an R56 Mini Cooper S (N14 engine)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- How to replace the timing chain on an R56 Mini Cooper S (N14 engine)
In this video I’m showing you how to replace your timing chain on your n14 engine in your r56 Mini Cooper S . The car I’m working on is a 2009 Mini Cooper S R56 with an N14 engine.
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Recommended Tools
Bentley Publishing MINI Cooper (R55, R56, R57) Service Manual: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013: amzn.to/31ZZlps
EWK Timing chain cam and crankshaft lock tool: amzn.to/2QZ2RKt
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Milwaukee (2-Pack) 48-11-2420 M12 REDLITHIUM 2.0 Compact Battery Packs: amzn.to/3lWfNis
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Tools every Mini Cooper owner needs.
1. Bentley service manual
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2007-2013: amzn.to/3h1Hhj5
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 Camshaft Timing Chain Cam Locking Tool for Mini Cooper S N14 R55 R56: amzn.to/3jTo84W
4. Electric ratchet
Milwaukee 2457-20 M12 Cordless 3/8" Sub-Compact 35 ft-Lbs 250 RPM Ratchet w/ Variable Speed Trigger : amzn.to/330QtiO
Milwaukee (2-Pack) 48-11-2420 M12 REDLITHIUM 2.0 Compact Battery Packs: amzn.to/3lWfNis
Milwaukee Genuine OEM 48-59-2401 M12 Lithium Ion 12 Volt Battery Charger w/LED Indicating, Red: amzn.to/2GsxhCQ
5. Hose clamp pliers
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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I want to say thank you again for making this video. I have watched it a few times, and am now in the middle of swapping out my own N14 timing chain. It took an enormous amount of effort to produce this video, and I appreciate you taking the time to do it. It has helped me get the confidence to do this job myself.
As someone who’s coming up on 2yrs sober (not even cigs) I FREAKING LOVE YOUR HOODIE!!! I also just bought a 2012 R56 non-S with 178k gentle miles but it needs the chain. Unfortunately I’m at a sober house and can’t hog the driveway for what would probably be a 2day job for me
Congratulations on being sober!
The amount of money you’ll save doing the work yourself makes the time if takes totally worth it
Just finished this job on my 2010. Best video by far on the timing chain, and I watched a lot of them, you didn’t take off pointless things and everything you said and showed was spot on, actually easier than I thought. Thank you
Thank you,!
can buy a 2011 Mini for $3,000. Looks very good. Woman who is third woman who owned it is going through a divorce and needs to sell it fast. Carfax looked good. Saw normal maintenance over the years but only a timing chain tensioner on it about 4 years ago. Automatic, recent brakes and tires…good buy? Any things to look for?…
Thanks for posting this video! I used this to change my timing chain today. Couldn't have done it without this
Glad i could help!
So glad that you leave the obstacle you run into in the video. So this is really like real life in the field when we do these ourselves.
Thank you so much , at 2am I was observing step by step on your video lean a lot I will do my R56 at soon as i get all the equipment thank you , Colorado
I have an opportunity to buy a 2013 JDM Mini with only 9000 KMs. I won't have to worry about this repair for a while, but it's good to know your video's are available.
Small request. In the video you tighten the sprocket bolts 15+90, assemble some other stuff and then do the Vanos tensioner bolt (and properly say the sprocket bolts should be loose while doing that) and then properly tighten the sprocket bolts. If you edit the video to just show you hand tightening the sprocket bolts before the vanos tensioner you should be good to go.
It’ll keep people from stretching their sprocket bolts out.
Good video btw. This saved me a ton of time and was way easier to follow than written docs.
That is a very good point!
That was a heck of a long video but I followed it in real time and got the job done. I thank you sir 👍
It’s one of my first videos and i didn’t know how to edit them down yet.
Thank you for watching 👍
Great useful video. Please continue to keep these cut free and leave in the hitches you run into, it makes your vids so much easier to follow!
Awesome, thanks for sharing the knowledge. I followed your video, replacing my busted timing chain on my N12.
I would give you 100 percent for your video and your work .ever since I have watching mechanic work video I think you have done the perfect job and you explain each step by step in a real professional manner .
Keep up the good works
I am also mechanic.
So I know quality workmanship .
Thank you for the info I will be doing my mini cooper timing chain sometime in 2023 .
I just bought a 07 R56 S I have all the parts just waiting on the cam tools thanks for the video very helpful.
Bro your the man perfectly executed and explained i watched few other guys they were just to messy and didn't get to understand how to do it thank you very much good job
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for the thorough video!! I just finished the timing chain on our mini, and wouldn't have been able to do it without this. Good job man, well done.
I watched every minute. Extremely helpful.
pulling the head off of mine currently because of a blown headgasket, this vid helped a lot!
Thank you 🙏
Your cams and crank shaft should remain locked in place until you’re done
Yes, just lock the cams in place with the cam lock tool with the markings facing up
Maybe a head mount or cheap tripod would be useful. So thankful for these videos though! Keep it up mini bro!
I will definitely get a head mount at some point! 👍
Pretty good instructional. Thanks for taking the time to show each step. I recommend investing in a tripod and/or even a GoPro (as you can attach it almost anywhere) so that the shot is perfect each time/each step (and then you don't need to say you need to use two hands, etc. lol). Also have two different perspectives when working on a car makes the viewing pleasure that much more enjoyable. Time lapse would be a benefit here too especially if you are doing something as repetitive as removing 13 valve cover bolts... This video is super long at 2+ hours. To knock it down under an hour and keep what you are saying specific to the timing chain replacement (or such topic) steps up your content. If I was in the midst of replacing my timing chain and needed to reference a specific part I would be hard pressed to find what I am looking for -- this is where adding chapters is helpful too.
Thank you 🙏 i now have a tripod and also edit out all the dead space. The timing chain video i just did for my R53 is only 45 minutes long and just as informative 💪
Thanks for taking the time to document so well!
Thank you! 💪
@@ProjectMini tis
This is a great video. Thanks so much this is going to be a big help. You make really good content. Congrats on the sobriety - it's a great way to live!
I love your channel, man! Your videos are so helpful and thorough. Thanks. Hope you post more soon!
Thank you!
@@ProjectMini You don't happen to live in Missouri, do you? ;)
Northern California
@@ProjectMini Do you know of a way to fix or replace the PCV without replacing the valve cover?
I don’t
Second time I'm watching your video, can't believe how much details are in it... it's, by far, the best I've seen so far about the mini timing chain replacement... you wouldn't want to do a engine replacement ??!! :)))
You really look like you know how to do it... how many times did you do that job ?!!
th-cam.com/video/hp8RKApbcxc/w-d-xo.html
Great video you make it looks easy. I have some time until mine but wanted to get an idea how bad it is.
Thank you! It’s really not that hard, just time consuming
Great video you have done a lot of effort to make this video ❤
But how you gonna turn the crank when the cams are locked ?
Nice bro very well how to explain step by step everything you are doing
Thank you 🙏
hey bro I have a mini Cooper John Cooper works manual transmission that I am going to change the chain but when I put the pin for flywheel not lacquer
Any recommendation
I joined your FB group .. thank you for all the info
Great and immensely useful video. Thanks for recording this process. But, isn't the flywheel lock supposed to go in before you lock down the cams?
Thanks for the video my man. I like your video just because you’re working on your car, outside, in the open, dust, mud etc. No lift or special equipment…. Just like a home garage. The other guys are good as well but a little intimated.
I think I can do this but I will be checking out your video once I’m there.
Also, you didn’t remove the motor mounts on the driver side?
Hello, your video is very well explained, I have a question, must the crankshaft have a specific position when installing the timing chain? and I'm changing the oil pump chain, should it have some timing?
As always very helpful video. Keep up the good work!
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for the video it has great information and good video. I learnt quite a bit from just this video alone! thanks for making the video it sure makes fixing my R56 a little bit less confusing~!
keep up the great work!
Thank you 🙏
On my non Turbo 2010 Mini, the top chain guide bracket cracked and broke off at the head, it jammed into the chain and the valves in #4 cylinder hit the piston, and broke the spark plug electrode off. It bent the valves and damaged the piston. POS. Thanks for the good video!
Hey love your videos you've helped me a lot. I was wondering if you have a video of how to replace the valve stem seals?
Not yet, but soon since i need to do mine
Your video has been very helpful I really like it my son was driving his mini and it just cut off and I was wondering could have been possible for the timing chain to skip timing chain turns all the valve seems to be good but I only have 20 lb of compression and each cylinder
You should do a leak down test to see where you are losing compression
Thanks so much for making this 🙏
This I have planned later this year and your video will be my guide, thank you but for now replacing tensioner, any tips like how long to presoak etc
If you are talking about presoaking the chain then over night is probably ideal. If you don’t soak it at all you’ll still be fine.
@@ProjectMini chain replacement is later in the year. Just doing tensioner for now, that’s the part was asking about presoak
Over night will be fine
Wow, very useful video !!!... I just bought a 2007 mini (non turbo), bad bearing in piston number one , so I'll have to replace the engine.... I was hoping for a problem with the timing chain...
The list of tools used is pretty useful, I began to buy some on that list...
Can I ask you , ,did you film it your cell phone ? I think I might do the same thing when replacing the engine....
Anyway, thanks a lot, very useful video....
Yes, all of my videos are filled on an iPhone 8+.
Have you looked into just replacing the damaged parts instead of the whole engine?
@@ProjectMini As I was away from home (with no tools), I went to a mini dealer. On the receipt, it says, "timing chain is new, engine well timed, noise coming from connecting rod bearing from piston no 1." Oh btw, I went to the dealer by driving the car. But on the receipt they added " engine vacuum that stop the engine to hold idle"... lol, there were no vacuum problem at all before they looked at it.... I had to towed it !!! Anyway, the vacuum wont be a big problem... I was thinking of replacing the engine. Do you think I should open the engine before to be sure of whats the problem ?!!
Where is the link for the timing chain you bought ? You said it was cryogenic treated . Thanks
hey man. thank you for video. who much do you think a job like that cost?
Hey all
I accidentally rotated the crank backwards, and now I think I need to replace my vanos Recta- ring.
Can you make a video on how to do that?
Great video and very clear explanations! I want to change the chain kit on my mini and your video helped me to clearly understand all the proccess. I've done timing belts but this will be my first chain change. Could you help me with a source for a proper documentation, or a pdf file? I want to do it right, steps, tourques and all. And I'm fine if I have to buy a documentation, rather than other engine 😜. Greatings from Romania!
What parts kit do you recommend for the timing chain replacement? Do you have a link? Thanks for the great video!
Nevermind. I found your link. Thanks!
You rock !!!!!!!!!thank you !!!!!!it helps so much
Your video is really clear and it's great how you avoid extra work like a lot of the other videos show (service mode etc). I was about to do this job and then realized I also need to replace my head gasket - I'm just wondering what order of operations I should do to make the work as efficient as possible - should I take off the chain and then do the whole gasket replacement at that point? And then reinstall new chain. I ordered the kit from detroittuned - looks great, thank you for the recommendation.
Any chance you have a video on replacing the starter on 2009 mini cooper s ?. Any info would really help, great videos !!
Where did you buy the repair specs book?
Nice work! Thank you
Can I adjust the cam and go back in tighten the chain with tensioner bolt
When you torqued up the crank bolt did you rely on the crank locking tool in the flywheel to stop the crank moving? I was nervous that there is a lot of torque applied and it would damage the pin / flywheel.
I did, but if you have the tool to lock the balancer in place i would use it. If the pin brakes you’ll need to get it out of the pan
@@ProjectMini Hi thanks for the reply I am going to attempt my chain this weekend and rely on the locking pin in the flywheel as I do not have the tool to hand. I wonder how much torque is actually applied to the crank bolt after the 180 degree turn?? I think I have read too many horror stories and just winding myself up?
@@darrenastbury5280 how did it go?
@@katmanco3699 Hi it went ok, approximately 6 hours to complete the job and the crank locking tool in the flywheel was fine. I have had the engine apart again in the last couple of weeks to replace the valve stem seals, just wish I did it when I had it apart to complete the timing chain.
@@darrenastbury5280 how was the valve stem seals . I'm looking at doing the both in the coming days
I've seen people mark their coil packs by cylinder but I don't understand why you'd want to do that unless you were diagnosing a misfire between cylinders. Is there a reason to put them back in the same spot?
When you remove the crank pulley bolt at 1:08:00, did you apply any counter torque or just rely on the flywheel locking pin to resist rotation?
I just used the cam lock tool and flywheel locking pin
@@ProjectMini thanks dude!
@@ProjectMini So a crankshaft counter holder tool is not necessary? Just held by cam locker and flywheel pin? It is the last tool/part I need to complete the job on my N18 2013 Cooper S. Also, is there any difference with the N18 timing chain job or is it the same. I have replayed this Vid 3x in preparation to do this job! Thank's for this vid my man!
My timing is off a tooth or two on the intake cam. Can I adjust the cam when doing the replacement?
Nice job, I wouldn't even try to do it!!
Its simple if you follow the video
do you need to replace the seal on the crankshaft (i hope you know which one im talking about) or can I reuse the same seal?
If its not leaving you can reuse it, but its so simple to do there’s no reason not to
i have a mini cooper that is making rattling noise like vanos units/chain but only when worm.. have you had this issue?
How come there is no resistance on that pull tab on your friction wheel. Mine makes a winding noises like a motor is turning on the inside when I pull the tab all the way out and even when I release it so it can retract it makes the same winding sound
have a question did a chain replacement started ok let it warme up reved enginr up to aboet 2500 rpm it started making a tini rattleing sound turnd off now it wont start
Sorry I got the info .Great job !
Ok so I am changing my timing chain and I have the cams with the wording faced up but when I look in the hole for the flywheel lock goes I don't see a hole. (Used a scope) if I rotate the engine to line up the hole will the car be out of timing when I lock it or does the wording on the cam not mean as much. This is an N14 engine, by the way.
How about the battery is it disconnected before removing those things
In the video you said you had to take off mounts on the bottom of the car to lower the engine. I didnt see you do that. So do you need to?
Those were the bottom arm rear mounts with the bush in them. They don't need to be touched for this job. You need to drop the whole subframe to get them off.
My car overheated and is running rough. Garage is saying it jumped timing...? Is that possible for a steel chain to jump timing? Sounds like it may be something else? 2008 cooper 115k miles. You're thoughts?
Great video I’ve been following you for a while and you explain things very well !
I’ve just done my r56 2007 mcs timing chain and all gone well apart from I’m left with a small 3 wire sensor type plug that I can’t find a place for it’s on the same loom as the post cat oxygen sensor and about 6 inches from it, have you got any idea where it goes or is it spare ??
Wow!!! What kit is this ?
Its from Detroit Tuned
Hey bro great video, so far I like your video a lot better than others out there, I just have a question I was told to rotate the crank shaft two full rotations, after the 50 nm and the 180* degrees which are tough to turn. The thing is it wont rotate anymore after the 180*. Got any ideas?
Are you trying to tighten the bolt even more? Or just rotate the engine?
Just trying to rotate the engine
Did you remove the cam lock tool?
Yes the Ones that mount onto the vanos and exhaust shafts plus the pin underneath the engine
Is there a list of bit types and sizes? Did I hear E12, E14... link for that set? Are those called Star bits or European?
@project mini you're awesome! Question for you though. Did you remove both VVT solenoids before adjusting the timing? I have a non turbo 2007 R56. Thank you!
When would you recommend to do the timing chain for the r56 2012 Cooper S?
I would do it at 80k
- Facebook groups -
Mini Cooper DIY: facebook.com/groups/518907605479579/?ref=share
Mini Cooper R53 Enthusiasts: facebook.com/groups/164990851647892/?ref=share
R56 Mini Cooper S enthusiasts: facebook.com/groups/729821991242039/?ref=share
Hey, thanks for the video! One question, did you just use the crankshaft pin to lock the Crankshaft while tightening the srew the additional 180 degree? I‘m a little scared of shearing off the pin..
Greetings from germany!
Hi. Can anyone tell me if this will also work for an N18?
hi, im about to do the valve stem seals, just waiting on parts to arrive, the timing chain has been done recently so i dont need to replace that. Will i be able to get the cams out with taking the chain out? as in just removing the tentioner and taking of the cam gears?
If you are pulling the head to do the seals you’ll have to remove the chain but of you are doing them with the head on you can get away with out removing the chain completely. Just support it with a screwdriver or something
@@ProjectMini thanks for the reply. Will I need to undo the bolts holding the cartridge in place? I don't plan on pulling the head off
I don’t think you will need to
What kind of repair manual book using for? Where can I buy it?
The link is in the description
Thank you
Is this the same process for the N12 engine?
Not quite
@@ProjectMini any videos you recommend on replacing timing chain on N12?
Link to the kit?
Hey is that a Metrinch socket set?
Metric from Harbor Freight
How long does it take
That depends on how fast you work, it took me about 5 hours but i was also filming
Why not put the tenisioner on before the harmonic balancer?
wen r u supposed to do this service?
Around 80k miles
I'm 56k overdue
Do you do side jobs?
No, i only work on my own vehicles
How do i know when to replace my timing chain?
Awesome
This looks like one expensive job. Any idea what parts and labor would cost someone for this? Is there a catastrophic failure if the time in chain snaps? Thank you
Piston valve impaction is fairly catastrophic and would require a rebuild.
Hi sorry where are you located?
California
Norcal?
Yes, Dobbins CA
You need to get yourself a head mount for your camera so you can use both hands
Hi bud do you know a way of put the springs back on the intake cam without buying the special tool I have a r56 n12 engine under some pressure them beggers cheers
I don’t, but you might be able to rent a valve spring compressor from an auto parts store
Drain your oil? Why?
I'm not here from instagram. I'm here from NAM. Am I allowed?
Of course
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at 1hr 19min "You can't really get that wrong.... unless your me of course"
Can you make a short version I had it in x2 and still too slow
That was 93 degrees man
I don’t think so 😂
HA!
Change timing chain ? Is not than timing chains are to not to change it never ????
You should change the timing chain every 80k miles
I would have just bought the top guide . The bottom guides are white . They aren't originals . They were already changed . The parts he got have to meet or exceed OEM specs. .IF I was ANAL about all this .I would have made sure I bought a OEM chain tensioner . Good job though !
The chain that I removed was a cheap Chinese brand. I replaced it with a good chain kit from Detroit Tuned. I didn’t trust any of the parts from the last kit.
Also ,your audio is too low .
So you locked the camshafts before you locked the flywheel/crank.... totally wrong way to do it.
Not true.