11 problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 2007 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I tried to start my car and only heard a spinning sound. First I thought the transmission or starter would need replacing but after having it towed to the Mini dealership, I was informed it is thetiming chain. Upon further review I was informed that the timing chain belt had shattered and bent the valves, and now the pistons are blocked and a plethora of other things. The total to repair this domino effect of damage is above $8,000 and just the chain alone is 1500 but I was informed would be a grand mistake because the car will not run. I am a college student who is financially challenged and am now in too deep to even try and float.
I was driving on the interstate, when without any warning or indicators, the engine shut off. I was stuck in a dangerous place, with high-speed traffic for sometime. The dealer who as my car says: "the primary cause of the engine failure was the locking up of the vacuum pump. Consequently this caused the bolt on the exhaust cam shaft sprocket to sheer off causing the vehicle to run out of time. The pistons therefore made contact with both intake and exhaust valves, verified with boroscope inspection, thus bending the valves and causing catastrophic failure to the engine. $6850. 00 minus discount to replace engine. This is obviously not an isolated incident. I have had a lot issues with various Mini engine parts deteriorating, despite following the recommended regular maintenance schedules ¿ clutch, fly-wheel, thermostat, intake silencer, spark plugs, timing chain twice, waterpump, radio head unit, drive belt, hi-lo horn, boot latch, boot cable, to name a few. Hopefully Mini will do something about these issues.
Took vehicle in to Mini of the woodlands to have recall work done to the vehicle and while it was there had them do a diagnostic to ensure car was in good shape. Was told that it needed a new timing chain and that I shouldn't drive it. Was told to tow it home or leave it with them and they would fix it for close to $2500. The car has 37,000 miles. Really? feel like there's a nice scam going on with a product that has obvious defects with this timing chain issue. There are complaints all over the internet. No vehicle should need a new timing belt with this low of mileage. Mini needs to do the right thing and issue a recall for this problem.
Without warning the car started jerking and running very roughly and the engine warning light came on. We brought the car into the Mini dealer to be diagnosed. While the dealer was very helpful, the diagnoses was disturbing at best. After tearing apart the motor, cleaning it and reassembling, the problem remained. It was "Mini services" recommendation to the dealer that the timing belt be changed. This is a 13 hour procedure that cost just over $2000 and provides no guarantee that it will solve the problem. In addition, they may run into more problems once they are inside of the engine. To add insult to injury, the timing belt tensioner had already been replaced do to a similar problem while under warranty. We have elected to pay $5000 for a new motor and 2 year warranty so at least we would have a slight piece of mind that the problem would not reoccur at our expense. I completely understand the risks of owning a vehicle beyond the warranty period. I just wish BMW Mini would recognize this problem and stand behind what appears to be a rampant problem with the "timing-belt-tensioner" on the 2007 s models. I was shocked to see the pages of owners that are reporting the same problem. My wife loves this car. There is no way I would purchase another Mini product after paying over $30,000 for the 2007 63,000 mile disposable model.
Timing belt tensioner failed resulting in slack in the timing belt. Final result was the timing belt slack contacted plastic chain guards which broke off and lodged inside the engine. After being towed to Mini service, they recommended replacing the entire engine. This is a safety issue because the critical timing chain failure led to premature engine failure. There was a strong smell of smoke and I had initial concern that the car was going to catch on fire. I was lucky that the incident did not occur while driving in traffic as I would have been stuck on the road without any power endangering myself and other drivers. Mini is well aware of the issue with the timing belt tensioner, but has failed to proactively address the issue. The service manager at Mini even has a bag full of bent rods at his desk that he showed me and told me he has had multiple cars come in with the same issue.
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. While driving approximately 35 mph the contact noticed a burning odor. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed small flames and smoke coming from under the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a blanket. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated that the oil return line that was connected to the turbo charger had began leaking oil and caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repair the contact was driving approximately 65 mph when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time for diagnostic testing. The technician then stated that the turbo charger and the engine would have to be replaced. The technician stated that the turbo charger could have been damaged during the fire. In addition, the contact had previously experienced intermittent stalling and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the timing belt tensioner was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 60,800.
Extremely loud engine noise during a cold start. The root cause is the failure of timing belt tensioner. The only recourse is to replace the tensioner and adjust or replace the belt/chain. This is a known defect.
2007 Mini Cooper S, timing chain broke at 64k miles. There are countless complaints of this problem all over the web, we need to force Mini to issue a recall. Vehicle was properly maintained prior to failure. This is a chain, not a belt. . Read more...
I have had an issue with my 07' Mini Cooper S engine's timing chain since 2010. The tensioner brackets for the timing chain that came with my 07 Mini are made out of plastic and break easily, causing the timing belt to slip and damage my engine. It has currently cost me 1500 dollars in repairs to fix the issue. The repair can only be a temporary fix because the brackets were simply replaced with the same plastic brackets that broke previously. I am simply awaiting the day they break again. This is not a new issue, as I have seen multiple complaints of this very same issue all over the internet and BMW needs to be held responsible for their defected engines. I suggest a recall be placed on the 07 - 10 Mini coopers, Cooper S, and convertibles, for their defective tensioner brackets for the timing chain because it can cause severe damage to the engine if not destroy the engine completely.
Upon starting my engine every morning there is a large clattering noise coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment. It seems to be an issue with the timing belt tensioner as the part does not get enough oil in it as it drains out after sitting for a few hours. If the part is not replaced or fixed the timing chain will eventually break and ruin my engine. My car is out of warranty and this is a factory issue that BMW/Mini refuse to acknowledge or fix.
Vehicle produces loud metallic sounds from the left side of the engine on cold start. Mini USA has repeatedly stated this is okay, however now at 25000 miles the noise is constant and loud. Reading data from other Mini owners this problem is now extremely common on all Mini coopers with the 1. 6l produced after 2007. Mini has quietly replaced numerous belt tensioners to fix this problem but refuses to admit this is a large issue over the entire fleet of vehicles. Issue results in a $3-4k labor bill to repair.