Timing Tensioner problems of the 2008 Mini Cooper S

Pristine condition, low mileage, dealer serviced Mini Cooper S (owned since new) began exhibiting a rattling noise from engine at 34k miles. Dealer diagnosed it as a timing chain defect and timing chain tensioner defect. This is a known engine defect. Reference class action suit and settlement 338403. This settlement by BMW/Mini USA covers this flaw and BMW/Mini knows that vehicles produced within the 2007-2010 timeframe have this flaw. This flaw can result in catastrophic engine failure. In my case, it was noisy under acceleration, and was into the dealer for service within days of first issue. This is a known flaw. However, BMW/Mini settled the class action lawsuit and set aside millions of dollars for claims. . . . But those claims must be filed by 7/1/16. I did not have the issue before that date, I had it happen in September 2016 - two months later. I have requested some accommodation from BMW/Mini, however they are refusing to participate at any level, even though they know this was a flawed part and could have caused significant damage. I am not expecting full reimbursement, but if they know the car has a major flaw, they should have some coverage in place for any of these vehicles with the flaw. Thus far the regional service manager and Mini USA have indicated because this happened after 7/1/16 they will not accommodate.

I own a 2008 Mini Cooper S and it has 62000 miles on it. As many other Mini owners, I have " rattle noise" issue when cold start and popped up "engine oil pressure too low" warning yesterday when drove home on city street. This vehicle has had the timing chain tensioner/guide changed once before at 18,942 by a Mini dealer.

After Mini/BMW repaired the timing chain tensioner and the timing chain, my turbo oil supply line developed a significant leak (within a week/ within 200 miles of Mini service) causing smoke to escape from the bonnet, oil to cover the front engine/turbo/exhaust. Oil now puddles beneath the car when parked. The car has 89,xxx miles. I first noticed the smell of burning oil when driving across town at a speed of 40mph. When parking the vehicle, upon idle the smoke billowed from the bonnet of the car. According to Mini forums, this problem of a failed o-ring in the turbo oil supply line is a known problem resulting in numerous failures that can lead to catastrohic damage to the turbo, catalytic converter, and engine.

As many others have posted here, my engine began rattling loudly when I would start it up. To alleviate this, I would top off the oil and get frequent oil changes, in fact, more often than Mini/BMW suggested it should get an oil change. This would usually take care of the rattle. One night, the engine rattle kept increasing and suddenly the car stopped in the middle of a busy street just 20 feet from railroad tracks without any warning lights or indications whatsoever. I had it towed to a nearby mechanics shop I trust (not the dealership). The timing chain had broken and bent the valves and I'm in the process of having a new engine put in (with the same faulty timing chain) to the tune of $6,500. I called Mini/BMW USA because my mechanic said he's seen this problem frequently in my model. Mini said they would not do anything for me unless the car was diagnosed by the Mini dealership, and even then there would be no guarantee they would cover anything because of "my vehicle's age. " Mini/BMW USA wouldn't even acknowledge that there have been frequent reports of timing tensioner/chains having problems. I'm even more surprised how frequent this problem is now that I'm looking on the NHTSA website. This needs to be a recall and something that Mini/BMW should cover and respond to, since there have been several class action lawsuits against the company because of this.

When starting car, I get a grinding, rattling noise from the engine. I have been told this is the chain tensioner on the car.

I was driving in a three lane highway when the engine stopped suddenly and would not restart. The 2008 Mini Cooper S was towed to a local Mini dealer. I was informed that the timing chain had broken because the timing chain tensioner had collapsed. Mini USA informed me that there was a recall for the tensioner which my car qualified for and if the dealer could state that that was the cause the engine would be replaced free of charge. The dealer refused to make the connection and refuses to tell me after a tear-down what caused the failure. Mini is taking no responsibility and I'm left with a $12000 repair bill, beyond what the car is worth. It is well documented that the failure of the tensioner causes engine failure.

I have now experienced my second timing chain tensioner failure within a three year period. Countless reports are surfacing around the globe of the faulty design, and the manufacturer (BMW) has acknowledged a design flaw. They have yet to issue a recall as the federal govt has not yet mandated the repair. This is a very dangerous situation (and expensive ~ $2k) should the system fail. The only notice is a rattling sound in the engine compartment prior to failure. BMW claims the tensioner should be good for upwards of 120k miles. My vehicle has less than 50k and this is the 2nd failure I've experienced in the last 3 years. Considering the number of Mini cooper vehicles on the road, a nationwide recall is the only measure to ensure this problem is adequately addressed.

Driving my 2008 Mini Cooper S at 70mph on the highway, the vehicle lost power and died. The timing chain tensioner failed causing the motor to blow up and the timing chain popping through the valve cover, the timing chain tensioner is under a factory inspection notice, I never received a notice to inform me of the part failure. Now the engine needs replaced.

Turbo oil supply line is leaking oil on my 2008 Cooper S, the dealer has recommend replacement at a cost of $900. I initially took the car in for a recall to install a heat shield on the same oil line, some online research (including many official complaints here) has suggested that the lack of a heat shield has caused this failure, yet it is not covered under the recall. Yet another unfortunate defect in the Mini design, I've already been through the timing chain/tensioner debacle.

Timing chain mechanism (tensioner seemed to be main culprit) failing and system needed replacement. Total cost $2500. Car had 33,000 easy miles on it. Mechanic said timing system was on the verge of failing traumatically and destroying the engine. Reported it to Mini, who admitted they have been having a lot of trouble with those but there had been no recall so they couldn't help me. Replacement parts were different serial numbers than the originals indicating, per my mechanic, they had redesigned the parts.

While driving the car (gas) started running rough and sounded like it was a diesel. After some research I found that the tensioners in the engine are worn out. I had the upper replaced, but the others also need replacing. Based on my own research, it appears the problem is related to the manufacturer's recommended oil change. The company recommends changing oil every 15000 miles with syntetic oil. The fix is supposedly to change the oil at half that, 7500. I've been told this could result in the timing chain coming off and the engine being trashed.

Engine rattle on cold start indicated a loose or stretched timing chain. Required a premature replacement of timing chain, guides and tensioner.

The timing chain tensioner backed out of the engine block allowing engine oil to be pumped out of the engine. The tensioner works on engine oil pressure and it backed out far enough to allow the engine oil that normally pressurized the piston to be pumped out of the engine. I was lucky enough to see the streak of oil as I backed out of the driveway, but if I had not I am sure that more damage and potential fire would have occurred. This is surprising as this same part was replaced under a recall for being faulty. I believe that this is still a design flaw and something that should be addressed by Mini.

Began to hear loud knocking noise from engine of my 4 year old Mini @ 66000 miles. Have had my Mini serviced according to the schedule at the same dealership for 4 years. After hearing the noise did research online to notice that Minis have a timing belt /tensioner issue. Noticed on the same night that my oil light came on and the interesting thing is that I just had my oil changed in August of 2012 and this was November 2012. Took car to dealer and the servicer said they had heard of some Mini's timing chains failing at 14k miles. After diagnosis he notes that it is the timing chain and that the oil filter gasket was leaking which caused the timing chain to fail. This is not correct as my vehicle has never leaked oil, and I had just gotten my oil changed 3 months earlier and no mention was made by my service technician. This seems to be a common issue in Minis and they are not providing any kind of relief.

Bought car from dealership after a lot of research on issues with these cars an complaints. Brought varro Mini dealership and asked about timing chain and tensioner and was told mine was fine even though they never opened up cover to inspect chain or tensioner. Have been back three different times with multiple issues with timing chain/tensioner horrible rattle. Mini says there is no known defects with timing chain/ tensioners ever brought up. I then was told by my brother that he I taking his Mini in for a service action on the timing chain/tensioner, turbo heat shield, thermostat housing. We have exact same car, same build date, and rolled out from same factory but Mini states ours isn't covered under the service action even though we have the exact same car and everything. And my brother is also out of warranty but theirs is getting fixed free. Please help. I am aware of the freeman-skeen class action lawsuit and have file a complaint with bbb so I guess I'll have to find legal help since they don't pay attention to NHTSA complaints.

Knocking noise when starting and running. I thought it was from the wrong fuel added to it, or low oil when I purchased it. I corrected those two issues, but it still makes the knocking noise. I am very afraid it will seize. I believe the timing chain and tensioner system needs to be replaced.

My Mini Cooper S has less than 60000 miles on it with proper maintenance and has had failure of the friction wheel (aka timing chain or tensioner system). The first signs of the issue are a very loud, rattling noise during acceleration and as the problem gets worse, it continues to rattle during idling. The Mini corporation is very aware of this problem and while the dealership itself worked with me to lower the cost because they say it happens frequently even with proper maintenance on the car and while the vehicle is still under warranty, the corporation wouldn't acknowledge or help with the cost to fix it. Also, if the problem isn't fixed immediately, it will lead to a blown engine. Furthermore, I have read that several Mini owners have replaced the friction wheel only to have the same problem reappear not long afterwards. This is an issue of faulty manufacturing and Mini needs to stand up and absorb the cost to fix it and/or recall the Minis affected to ensure it no longer happens.

Vehicle makes a loud noise from the engine compartment at cold start, dealer informed me it's the timing chain and tensioner, total cost about $1950. 00. Dealer informed me it's a common problem but there is no recall from Mini USA.

Strange knocking/rubbing noise coming from the engine compartment for the year 2007+ Mini cooper. From the Mini dealer repair details it appears to be a issue with the timing chain and tensioner system. It also appears that without being fixed the car will eventually have a timing chain failure and possible motor destruction. This could occur while driving and I could lose control of the vehicle causing a crash. Mini will not fix this problem that they know about without the vehicle still being under warranty. I call for a recall.

Timing chain and timing chain tensioner broken and damaged the engine at mile 48544 - 48552.

We purchased this car in late sept. /early oct. 2012 with 29k miles on the car. My wife drives this car, and while traveling on the interstate, as she was entering the off ramp in forest lake, mn her car started to jerk/run like crap (late January 2013). She was able to drive the car home, I tried to figure out the issue, but everything I checked test good, so I brought it to a local import tech, and he diagnosed the failure to be the timing chain tensioner, allowing the timing to jump. He says he started up the motor to test further, it idled for less than a minute before the motor died and now will not start. I now, after owning the car for 3-4 months, have a major engine failure. I do not care to think what would have happened if this happened while my wife was traveling down the interstate at high speeds. . . . Thankx.

Loud knocking noise upon starting the car. It was very loud so I took it to the dealer. A metal piece from the housing for the timing chain broke off and caused damage that cost $2239 to repair. The service rep seemed to know about this problem. I asked the service rep for my old parts which I have kept and upon inspection the parts looked good (timing chain and tensioners (plastic parts). The flaw is in the design, a one inch little metal piece that cannot support the vibration of the timing chain broke off and caused all the damage. I've read multiple complaints on this site regarding timing chain problems on s models, this should be a recall.

Engine developed a knocking, rattling sound which grew louder over time. The local Mini dealership diagnosed a timing chain glide and tensioner failure. Replaced the entire assembly. Was told Mini realized the glides were inferior and was now using upgraded glides in the replacement kits. When asked if this shouldn't be a warranty replacement since it could lead to total engine failure, was told this was up to Mini-USA, not the dealer. This is also a safety issue if the timing chain breaks while driving, seizing the engine, and leading to loss of control of the vehicle.

Tensioner allowed timing chain to slap the chain guard, such that pieces of the chain guard eventually got caught in the timing chain and the car was off time and off camber. Pieces of the chain guard were spread throughout the valve housing. Replaced tensioner and whole timing chain assembly. 2nd tensioner lasted only 3 weeks. Am on my 3rd tensioner and holding my breath.

The following reports are from: orlando Mini 350 s. Lake destiny drive orlando, FL 32810 (407) 835-2727 incident 1 @ 47,603 miles: service advisor 1397, garrett bowling. Lucas webb (lic #1061) found timing chain rattle "noise at idle up to 2,100 rpm. Noise is a rattle under valve cover near cyl 1. Interrogated fault memory, no faults. Found noise to be related to valve-train. Performed steps outlined in bulletin 110207. Measured timing chain slack at 71. 5mm. Needs completed replacement timing chain cassette. " replaced tensioners (part # 11-31-7-598-956, part # 11-31-7-534-833), and many other parts. Incident 2 @ 96,125 miles: 100% client goodwill provided. Service advisor 1397, garrett bowling. Steven figueroa (lic #1911) found that the "timing chain tensioner failed, found vehicle timing chain tensioner to have failed causing vehicle to become out of timing, replaced timing chain and tensioner at this time, cleared faults from system and test drove vehicle, all ok. . . " replaced tensioners (part # 11-31-7-609-483 [already updated from the one used above], part # 11-31-7-534-833), and many other parts. Incident 3 @ 105,543 miles: service advisor 1884, noah cadwell. Felix rosado (lic #1899) found "defect code 00 11 08 03 00, check timing chain tensioner, found it was an updated model, ok after that repair" since it was updated. Nothing was replaced. Noise got worse.

Noticed a strange sound, almost like wheel bearings were grinding. On November 11, 2010, when starting the vehicle, check engine light came on, and engine did not seem to have as much power as it should. Took to the Mini dealership and they said the engine light was on because the turbo was damaged. Apparently the oil supply hose to the turbo was either blocked or cut, and was not providing oil to the turbo. As a result of the lack of oil, the bearings in the turbo were ruined. Had to replace the entire turbo. After the turbo was replaced we were told the timing chain was going bad. Was told the timing chain, tensioners, and guides needed to be replaced. I've read where the timing chain has been a continuing problem with Mini coopers, and that, if fixed, it will go bad again and could cause a severe engine problem, resulting in failure. I also wonder if the timing chain is already damaged enough to cause the oil supply hose to the turbo to be damaged.