Mini N14 Timing Chain Kit - 11318618317KT

Ah, the “Death Rattle.” Timing chains have always been superior to the timing belt thanks to their longer lifespan and improved durability, but that’s only when they’re done right. Several manufacturers have had the misfortune of timing-chain-related issues, and each one causes the same noise as the loose chain rattles around inside the engine. The BMW N14 engine, found in the R56 MINI Cooper S and Cooper JCW, is one of the affected engines, and leaving the issue to chance is guaranteed to cause a catastrophic engine failure. 

MINI N14 Timing Chain Failure Symptoms

The N14’s timing chain system isn’t the most robust in the world. Its three main components—the guides, chain, and tensioner—all have faults that can and will eventually cause major damage. Keeping the engine in time is important because the valves and pistons will occupy the same space at different intervals. If the timing is out of sync, they’ll attempt to occupy the same space simultaneously and smash into each other, absolutely wrecking the engine. There are a few ways that can happen, but a combination is generally the cause.

N14 Timing Chain Issues

• Timing chain will stretch

• Tensioners will weaken or fail altogether 

• Plastic chain guides can crack and break

The main culprit of these failures is tensioner failure. Without the proper tension, the chain becomes loose around the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets, causing it to slap around in the timing cover and make the “Death Rattle.” It’s most noticeable on cold starts as the lack of circulating oil allows the harsh noise, although it will quiet down with hot oil and good pressure. In other cases, chains can stretch due to age farther than the tensioner can make up for.  In both cases, the loose chain will eventually jump teeth on the sprockets, putting the engine out of time.

The plastic timing chain guides are also a failure point. They get brittle from the engine heat, and small pieces will break off into the engine. Many owners have had those pieces block the oil pump or get stuck in critical areas in the cylinder head, causing extensive oil-starvation issues. 

Luckily, we offer the perfect fix for all three potential causes in one handy MINI N14 timing chain kit.

Choosing The R56 MINI N14 Timing Chain Kit 

Replacing the R56’s N14 timing chain assembly is a hefty job filled with many parts and precise assembly. The latter is pretty important, as installing any component incorrectly or installing the wrong one altogether means damage. As such, you’ll want to complete the job in one shot rather than half an hour at a time over the course of a few days because you’re waiting on parts. 

There are quite a few parts involved during an N14 timing chain replacement, so it’s pretty easy to miss one while ordering. For that reason, we’ve put together this R56 MINI N14 timing chain kit. Within the kit are all the components necessary for the job, not just the big stuff. Choosing this kit will save you the hassle of tracking down each part and ensuring they’re right for you, and you can instead rely on our experts who’ve already done that work for you.

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