It's standard for pretty much every car. It's at least in part to keep the inside of your brake system from rusting, because the fluid will absorb water.

 

Thanks, Dan - I'm inclined to believe so as well. And I wonder if I can get reimbursed also for the turbo failure I paid for already, and then afterwards learned it is warrantied, as well...

I am trying to find the MINI customer service # to see if my car qualified for the timing chain issue...

 

1-866-275-6464 is the number and the option is "Customer Relations"

 

Thanks, Dan...
So I just called and spoke with them. I gave no details just said looking for general information. She looked up my VIN and told me no part warranties, recalls nor campaigns apply to my car.

I told her I am hearing of other 2010 S's getting letters about the timing chain, and my dealer told me my turbo applies - so why does she not show anything for my car?

She said that a 3rd party company - NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Recalls+&+Defects) - is auditing all cars and sending the letters, and perhaps just not have gotten to mine yet. I asked if I can proactively prompt an audit of my VIN and she said contact them and try, meh. I google but cannot find this company yet, but will report back when I do...

She said have the car looked at by the dealership, then call back to speak to a Resolution Specialist to see if MINI will provide any financial assistance to the repairs, if anything needs to be done...

Thinking your advice is sound - to tow it there and play dumb...you still think so, too?

 

You're better off contacting a local MINI dealership and giving them the last 7 of your VIN to verify. I called MINI USA yesterday about this and the guy who helped me was very helpful. MINI USA isn't exactly the most knowledgeable in terms of tech and service advice.

Another reason she may not show anything for your car is if the car has already had a tensioner/timing chain replaced with the updated one sometime in the past. Otherwise, dunno. Just call a dealership.

 

Did you ever contact MINI USA about this? I did yesterday and they told me the dealerships should definitely be taking measurements. I just picked up my 07 MCS from a local dealership yesterday. Mine definitely falls under the campaign, but the dealership actually didn't replace anything. They didn't even take a measurement. They just "visually inspected."

They didn't actually tell me if I had the updated tensioner and that's why a measurement wasn't performed, but I am assuming that maybe I did. I hope so anyways.

 

I was in touch with MINI USA today and was told the same thing about a recall not being listed for my car even though I know it was. As for the inspection, she said that I'm better off calling a dealer as they are more technically knowledgeable about the car then the customer service department. So basically got no where with who I spoke with at MINI USA.

 

Can't hurt to try right?

 

I called Mini USA today and they referred me to the dealer where I had my timing chain components replaced and then the dealer said as far as reimbursement it's a case by case basis. What the hell does that mean? I think by saying that they are avoiding the answer and don't want you to know why because they might cover someone who comes in for service a lot versus someone who has never been to a particular dealer.

Their decision is going to reflect on whether I ever come back to them again! I've had timing chain components replaced, valve cover, thermostat housing and carbon cleaning.

 

Quick question. If I'm taking my car to the dealership on Friday to get the recall work done(out of warranty) is there any reason they can refuse doing the work if the car isn't stock? I have an intake that came in on Monday and I'm debating whether I should install it tomorrow night or on Friday night, after the recall work has been done.

I've taken my Honda in to do recall work when it was heavily modded, but at least I purchased the car from them so I would have some leverage. I bought this car from a private seller.

 

If you have an aftermarket intake I doubt that could be the reason why the poorly designed tensioner was defective, I took my MCS in with my AEM CAI and there were no problems, but now that mod is on paper and because it's in there system if you have a problem with say misfiring they can point the finger at your intake system that shows up on their computer.

In other words once it's on paper it's public information that could be used at a later date, am I being paranoid, probably. Better to be safe than sorry. If I'm going to troubleshoot my periodic misfire/knocking, the place that would be troubleshooting the issue would need to rule out everything, including the aftermarket intake. It's process of elimination.

I have always known whatever it is it's got to be a lean periodic misfire that is more pronounced when using the AEM CAI because there's more air on an already lean issue. With the stock intake installed this misfire/knock is much less noticeable. Forgive my babbling, too much coffee! :-)

 

Thanks! I should probably wait than just to be safe. I have no experience with this dealership but I searched online and found a Ford forum where a guy's dealership wouldn't honor a recall on a 3rd gear synchro because the car was lowered.

 

MINI should mold the valve cover in clear so we can keep an eye on their poorly designed valve train parts. With a clear intake manifold we could watch the valves getting gunked up and know when to clean them too.

Hoopty

 

what exactly is getting replaced under the recall? Mine was fixed a year ago when the prev owner hear rattles at start up. I called the dealership that did it and they replaced the tensioner and some cam bolts?? Should they be replacing the chain also???

 

How old is still under warranty? Does the coverage end with the second owner? That would be me on my 05 with 69K

 

Yea I am 09 Club S with 66.7k and it was fixed last year but did they do everything the recall states what all is to be fixed. Unless I missed it we do not know what the details of the recall our? Mine goes in soon to have the heat shield done for the turbo line.

 

It wouldn't stay clear for very long.

Dave

 

So has anyone else had experience with getting recall work done with mods? Work under warranty and being turned away, I understand.

Besides, is just an intake.

 

mine has a forge bov adapter (at least thats what i was told it was ) and the resonator removed with a straight pipe and they did the service...granted both seem minor compared to most mods\

 

what parts are they fixing in this recall for the T-chain issue?

 

Okay thanks! I'm just going to install the intake today, I've been waiting all week. lol. We'll see how it goes at the dealership tomorrow morning

 

Looking forward to hear what they say. Im on the same boat with an AEM intake and catch can

 

I'm holding off on my AEM CAI, BSH OCC, and cat-back until I get the recall/campaign work done. Mines got over 111K and I don't want to jeopardize a chance to get any kind of free work done on it.

 

Yeah, that's a good idea. I'm just a tick over 48k. I ended up installing the Alta intake this afternoon and have been wasting gas ever since . If they say anything about it, hopefully I can prove to them that I just installed it the day before. I'll show them my receipt from this afternoon at Lowe's for a torx screwdriver set . Isn't there something in the Magnuson-Moss act that says that they cant refuse you a recall unless they can prove that your modification directly affects the defective part or something?

 

Update:

I dropped my car off this morning at Brian Harris BMW in Baton Rouge, LA. My impression was very good.

I told them I have cold start up noise and loud noise when driving on cold start up, but not loud banging from the cover as is seen in some youtube videos.

They will replace the tensioner if outdated, remove the valve cover, measure the slack in the chain, and replace all components if necessary. They will also inspect the valves for related damage. I'm assuming they are not going to breakdown the engine any further. I'm also up for the turbo hear shield thing.

I'm at 70K and it's time for an oil change. They quoted me $130 and I declined. I asked about carbon buildup and they recommend every 30K (no surprise there) but stated that the higher ethanol and water in southern gas can increase the buildup. They told me I would feel return of pep (again no surprise). I would have declined as I was planning to do it myself and I've heard the dealership charges close to $1K, but they recently lowered their price to $550. Since I haven't bought the tools yet, I agreed. The would not agree to take before/after photos but will write on the form if it was light or heavy. The SA recommended an OCC w/ breather on the intake PVC only but they of course do not offer that. I asked about water/meth to prevent buildup and he said he hasn't seen anyone with that modified of a car. I guess because they don't use the dealer. Duh! He also gave me a list of recommended gas stations and said stick to Cheveron & Exxon, but stay away from Exxon and Mobil is top tier, but only recently so their tanks still have crap at the bottom so wait a few years. He also recommended two other gas stations: Quik Trip & Sonco as being the best, but alas they are not in my region.

I asked for a discount on the oil change since I'm doing the carbon cleaning and they quoted me around $70 and $25 for tire rotation. I usually do this myself, but to save an evening jacking up the car and waiting till my next 6K oil change/rotation made me say yes.

They gave me an automatic paceman S w/ 2500 miles on it as a loaner. I'd have liked a manual, but oh well. I miss MY car but LOVE the pop & burble!!! Why doesn't my 09 have it? Grrr!

They promised to call me in the afternoon to let me know if the chain will be replaced.

I will update when I get the clubby back. Hope this helps!