SA told me today it officially rolled out last week with letters going out from then on. He told me they have already checked and done a lot of them. Mini of Scottsdale.

 

I went to the Mini dealer today and I was told that this is a "recall" on the timing chain. There were no measurements made, the SA said that they will just replace all of the timing components. Said it should take 7-8 hours to replace and that any other issues would be taken care of.

 

I got a similar response from my sa i have a appointment on the 7th to have it done. (Portland, OR)

 

I was also told the heat shield has a service campaign.

 

Yes, they are replacing the turbo heat shield at the same time.

 

I set up an appointment online for timing chain repair so I'll see what the MINI of St. Louis SA's have to say about this new recall. I also mentioned the turbo oil line heatshield

 

I contacted MINI USA via their web form on the Owner's Lounge last week. I received a reply from them today; there is a "Service Action," it IS for the timing tensioner, and they ARE sending out letters to owners of the affected cars. Here's the text I received:

 

Whatever terminology you wish to use, I was told specifically recall, my Mini is scheduled for repair tomorrow morning. I purchased this car 1 month ago (2nd owner) and the original warranty is expired. They are replacing all timing components and the turbo heat shield for no cost. The car has 30,500 miles on it and has no timing chain rattle.

 

That is awesome! Hopefully it prevents any future issues for you! I think they avoid using the actual word recall to differentiate the work from a safety-related issue, but I'm not a lawyer so I'm not sure.

I have an '09 MCS (27k miles, 2nd owner also) and while I've not experienced the "death rattle," I have heard more clatter than I'm comfortable with and I hope they replace the timing stuff anyway so as to avoid it. Please post how the job went, how long, etc. Good luck!

 

This thread an another should really be merged.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3833112

 

I'd like to know how everyone is getting their entire assemblies replaced no questions asked. I had mine in for the campaign and all they did was check to see if I had the updated tensioner. No check on timing chain slack.

 

I had some work done on my timing chain (for the 3rd time!!!!) back in January, covered in full by MINI goodwill. I wonder, is this an even newer fix or do I already have the latest?

 

I would suspect you have the latest. I doubt you will get a letter or get looked at if went to the dealer.

 

is it possible to crack a piston or have other damage due to the timing chain issues?

 

possible but unlikely. valves will bend before the piston cracks. pistons will most likely just get marks scored into them from the valves(which will still require replacement)

 

+1 this is what they told me they would do too. I have not had mine in yet, my appointment is on the 7th so i dont know if they will replace the whole thing or just the tensioner. i'll update when you guys after i have mine in to the dealer.

 

I am going in this Friday so I'll update on what my dealer says

 

Orlando MINI here in FL has confirmed the service campaign as well. I've got my 07 MCS with 55k miles, scheduled for the 5th. Just in time too because a few hours after making the appointment I got in my car to head home from work, and as soon as I turned it on, I got the nastiest rattling/grinding sound coming from the engine. Looks like the MINI will be parked until then.

The service manager told me this about the process ..

- If they haven't already, they'll pull the VIN to check the history and see if timing components have ever been changed before.
- They will inspect the timing chain slack.
- If it still has the old part number, they will replace all of the timing components.
- If you have an updated or newer part number, it falls outside of the service campaign.
- If you have issues with newer components or fall outside the campaign range, how dealerships handle that is at their discretion.

They will also be doing the heat shield for my MCS as well. Another thing that was brought to my attention, people may be interested in asking their SA's about getting the water pump done if you haven't already (I believe this was a recall too for turbo models) or have high mileage and its due since it's right there. If yours is outside the recall, inquire about them getting it installed if you pay for the part since they'll already be replacing components right there. Just a thought.

I can get an update up once the work has been completed if anyone is interested. Although, I am sure this thread will be flooded with it by then!

 

It was actually the auxilary water pump for the turbo that was recalled not the actual water pump for the engine. but good advice. you should get that done for sure if you have not already.

 

ahh, Okay. Thank you for clarifying that for me. I'm going to ask my SA about getting a new water pump when I go in. Couldn't hurt to have it done since they'll already be working on that side of the car. Better than doing it later on and getting under there a second time, at least I would imagine so.

 

please tell me this is westchester ... I'll be spending part of the day there in two weeks when it goes in for the chain. At least I will get to spend an hour or two in luxury before my dad picks me up. LOL.

 

The service guy at Mini told me the service bulletin was only for the "S" models.

 

In at Flow Mini Raleigh to get the Turbo Heat Shield. Asked about the Service Campaign. Said since they replaced all the timing chain components I was not included. It was done May 2013 at 19,000 miles. Top guide was broken.

2010 MCS Build Date March 2009.

 

Update on my Mini:
I picked the car up this afternoon, it was in the dealer for about 24 hours. The service department performed the following:
M11 04 13 Replaced timing chain, guides and updated tensioner. Chain was at 70MM.
M11 05 13 Heat shield installed.
Performed MPI.
All of this was completed in two days including scheduling the appointment. Total cost was $0.00 and they even covered a rental car for that time. I do not have any complaints about the service or the people involved, they were great! I do notice the engine seems quieter than before and I am noticing different noises now. Of course I have had the car for one month and was just getting used to the sound of the car. I guess I was lucky to have purchased the car at the time that I did and thanks to all of you I was able to get this done before anything else happened. Thanks again!

 

I just got my letter today for this. Does anyone know if this covers having a loaner? I have to be able to get to-and-from work, and don't have a second car.

I'll be calling tomorrow to set-up and appointment.