Timing Tensioner problems of the 2009 Mini Cooper S

17 problems related to timing tensioner have been reported for the 2009 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 06/05/2019

Vehicle was in motion at 55-60 mph. Vehicle cut off and would not start or turnover. 15 minutes of rest and car was started and rpms were fluttering. Mini cooper of grand rapids stated the timing chain was "most likely" "out". They also stated no goodwill assistance could be provided while acknowledging the window, for a previous lawsuit involving thee 2009 Mini Cooper S, was closed and the defective tensioner and guide rails (to include engine design) were still in my Mini cooper. Car has started once since but will not stay running. Other cases of fuel pumps failing on said model were acknowledged but "no recalls have been issued" said Mini, thus not warranting any repair or concern for my failed Mini. Repair estimate was 3,985$. After mentioning the previous lawsuit during 2015, a 'random' discount was announced of 10-15% to bring said total to est. 2,900$. My 2009 Mini Cooper S has had idle and rpm issues/fluctuations for a couple months after previous owner had just replaced the timing chain assembly in January of 2019 with genuine Mini replacement parts (factory parts causing the same factory defect).

2 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 06/06/2016

Timing chain tensioner broke causing timing chain to break and ruining valve train and pistons. Since it is an interference engine. Complete engine to be replaced, with only 25,000 orginial miles on vehicle.

3 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2015

Defective timing chain and tensioners causing additional damage to the exhaust valves preventing compression in the engine as is described in one of many class action suits.

4 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2014

My timing chain has now started to fail for the 4th time on this car. The timing chain tensioners fail and Mini does nothing to correct the issue past the warranty period.

5 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 02/06/2014

Driving on 405 fwy in southern California turning out of freeway off ramp in the pouring rain. The car dead stopped. Very dangerous, cars coming off freeway behind me was a 911 situation. After someone pushed me off to the side of the road had car towed. No engine light warning to indicate problem of tensioner (timing chain breakage). Entire engine was replaced/rebuilt because of extensive damage to engine. BMW apparently is aware of the timing chain defect and has not issued service bulletin or recall. I'm hearing there is a class action suit because of the many complaints. The fact that I could have very easily been killed or seriously injured is why I am issuing a complaint (not to mention my bill for $6200. 00 I have on my credit card) and the three weeks it took to fix. Naturally I was 6 months out of my warranty.

6 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2014

The problem occurred when the tensioner for the timing chain no longer applied pressure to the guide rail. This causes the timing chain to flap against the the guide rails eventually breaking them. There was a noise that was created heard during cold start up and eventually went away when the engine got warm. The items repaired were a faulty chain tensioner, timing chain, chain guide rail, bearing bolt, bearing bolt gasket, crank shaft sprocket, crankshaft pulley bolt, valve cover gasket, permatex hylomar gasket maker, serpetine belt, solenoid, and vanos. This issue appeared well before BMW’s suggested maintenance period of 120,000 miles, or 10 years.

7 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 01/03/2014

My car has been leaking oil and the dealership determined it was due to the timing chain tensioner. They are charging $357. 98 to have it fixed. My car was purchased brand new and has only 50,000 miles on it. As soon as my 4-year warranty expired, my car has been in the shop multiple times due to engine issues. Services that have been performed at 50,000 miles: 1. Thermostat is leaking coolant- $ 671. 99 2. Water-pump also leaking coolant- $661. 20 3. Coolant flush- $169. 80 I use only premium gas for my car, perform regular oil changes, and maintain my car meticulously. These problems should not be occurring after 4. 5 years of driving. I believe that Mini produces faulty cars that do not last, have absolutely zero reliability, and then charges an exorbitant amount to fix something that should have not been broken in the first place.

8 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 11/29/2013

Was told by mechanic at dealership timing chain tensioner had been replaced while in for service in past but now it needs replaced another employee 2 days later says no record of it. I need to pay full amount. Too early for timing chain replacement to be required in a decent car. Defect. Needs recall.

9 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 11/22/2013

I started the car and a loud rattling noise came from the engine. I drove about 5 miles and the oil check light came on. I decided to take it to a jiffy lube that was within 2 miles and then the engine light came on. By the time I got to jiffy lube the car didn't have any oil left. The car was serviced by the Mini dealer only 4 months prior. Had the car towed 1 1/2 hours to the nearest Mini dealer. Most of the damage was caused by the timing tensioner chain. The dealer said Mini would cover those repairs but the turbo oil feed line was leaking too and I would have to pay for that. It cost me $900. 00. I asked if the car had a heat on it and he said no but that I don't really need one. I thought there had been a service bulletin put out specifically because of the heat from the turbo causing this issue but he said it had nothing to do with it.

10 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2013

Mini released a service bulletin (campaign: sim 11 02 12) regarding faulty timing chain tensioner. At appx. 40k miles, my Cooper S was taken in for service and it was reported there was a "rattle" in the front of the engine. The dealership replaced the tensioner under warranty. Now the same issue has occurred. I am being told the entire timing chain assembly needs replacement at an approximate cost of $3k. Mini has offered to pay 1/2 the cost. There is no explanation why the repair is not covered under 2 year replacement tensioner warranty; since this original issue was only partly addressed while in 50k car warranty. My Mini now has 77k. Once warranty request is submitted from dealer to Mini corporate, decision is final. There is no appeal. Failure to perform service will result in engine failure in near future.

11 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2012

Vehicle was taken to dealership in Feb 2012 for a rattling noise. Service center at braman miami said that they could not duplicate the noise, so it was assumed they found nothing wrong with the vehicle. Prior to this, the vehicle had been in the shop 2-3 times due engine malfunction light, rough idle at cold start and loss of turbo power due to leakage in turbo oil feed lines. This was repaired in early 2012/late 2011. In December of 2012, while driving the rattling noise of the complaint in Feb 2012 intensified and oil light illuminated while driving. Car was pulled over to safe location. Once car was stopped, the engine malfunction light also illuminated. Driver checked oil level, which appeared low but within the marks on the dipstick. Oil splatter was observed on the hood and on engine. Rubber gasket feeding to engine was observed to be displaced where oil appeared to have leaked out. Vehicle was towed to braman miami. Service department reported that failure was caused by timing chain/tensioner issue. Service dept is charging 17k usd for repairs as it is not found to be under the scope of warranty of previous repairs to the turbo oil feed lines. Mini has been contacted to see if any relief can be provided as this seems to be a common issue with these vehicles.

12 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2012

12/14/I drove home from work. I had no problems driving, but heard a bit of a cold start knock. 12/15/car didn't start in the morning. I immediately got the car towed to herb chambers in boston, where I had exclusively taken it to every maintenance check-up and issue I had since I purchased it new at the same location, even after my warranty had expired. 12/16/herb chambers performed a diagnosis for $135, and said that the timing chain was broken, which would cost $2,500 to fix. However, they also said that other engine parts may be broken, but they wouldn't know until they started working on the timing chain. As you can see, I was not happy at all with this inconclusive diagnosis. Do I pay $2,500 for them to then tell me it actually needs a new engine for close to $10,000, or do I tow it elsewhere? 12/17/towed car to german performance service for a more complete diagnosis, which showed that the timing chain and tensioner were broken, as well as most valves and other engine parts. We conclude that it is cheaper to replace the entire engine ($3,213 + $1,980 of labor = $5,193) than to fix everything individually, which would be more labor intensive. 12/21/I contacted Mini USA to inform them about my situation and how unpleased I was with herb chamber's extremely vague diagnosis, as well as Mini's major timing chain flaw. Mini USA completely ignored my request for the sole reason that I took my car to a 3rd party mechanic. They said that if I had stayed at the dealer (even though they gave me an incomplete diagnosis), that they may have helped me out. 12/30/I contacted herb chambers boston with the same concerns. They understood my points, but said that unfortunately they cannot force the manufacturer to do anything they do not want to do. As a small gesture, they did give me back what they charged me for their initial diagnosis ($135).

13 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 11/05/2012

Driving vehicle heard some engine noise and observed red oil indicator came on. Pulled over and checked oil level, appeared to be low. . I immediately put in two quarts of oil only to see it all seep out and through both front wheel wells. Appeared to be an issue with the timing chain tensioner.

14 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2012

The timing tensioner on my Mini Cooper S backed out, resulting in a massive oil loss while at highway speeds. This is apparently a known issue by Mini, but no known recall has been issued at this point.

15 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2011

Why is my VIN # not added to this recall? it has all the same symptoms. . I called Mini USA without getting anywhere. Did I just a buy a lemon? see info below: the cold start issue has been a common theme popping up in the faults and fixes threads on various Mini forums. Specifically, mcs owners complaining about a peculiarly loud engine rattle on start-up. Now the r56 is a n?interesting" sounding engine to begin with. The direct fuel injection solenoids give the car a very diesel-esque sound at idle. But this is a very different sound altogether. BMW has determined that the cold start rattle was/is being caused by the timing chain tensioner (which is in turn powered by an oil-pressurized piston). More specifically the sound is caused when the tensioner piston doesn't extend all the way (or at all) which then allows the timing chain to come in contact with the guides on the engine cover. After two years of research into the issue Mini now has official repair information at dealers that will eliminate the issue. The puma measure number that will need to be referenced is 10686850-13 (we've seen 10686850-12 mentioned but we believe 13 is the latest) and the part number is 11. 31. 7. 598. 956. According to the information we've seen, all cars affected in with the issue will get a new timing chain, chain guides, cam sprockets and vanos unit. At this stage Mini is handling this on a case by case basis when the owner complains about the sound. Were guessing they would like to steer clear of something along the lines of a recall (voluntary or otherwise) due to the cost of the service. However don't be surprised to see and hear more about this issue and the official fix soon. In the mean time if your 2007-2009 mcs is affected wed urge you to call and make an appointment at your local dealer.

16 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 04/23/2011

While driving vehicle, oil started to drain in large quantities over the street. Steady stream about 2 inches wide was visible on the street once vehicle was stopped. Oil light came one approximately 5 minutes after oil spin was noted. Car was moved to safe location once oil light came on. Engine would not restart. Notes from knauz Mini service manager: found timing chain tensioner walking out of position causing oil to come out of cylinder head. Cleaned oil residue and replaced timing chain tensioners. Due to lack of proper tension of timing chain tensioner checked timing.

17 Timing Tensioner problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2011

My vehicle had been parked for a couple of days in our garage. When I pulled it out on the 2nd I noticed a large pool of oil on the floor. I immediately drove it to the local dealership and was informed that the timing chain tensioner system had failed and that if not immediately remedied this would cause catastrophic engine failure. Over my communications with the dealer, Mini of sterling in sterling, va, I was told that this was a frequent occurrence, at least one a week, and is a recognized problem with a known work-around. They informed me that they had seen catastrophic engine failure and that with my commute of 45 miles on major highways that such a failure at speed would result in a major crash.



Safety Ratings of Cooper S Cars
Cooper S Service Bulletins
Cooper S Safety Recalls
Cooper S Defect Investigations