Man, I’m a tech, was looking for a video to show someone how to do this without actually being there. You make EXCELLENT VIDEOS. If anyone else asks me for help on minis again, I’m sending them to your channel first. Thanks man.

Just want to say your videos are the best on KZfaq period, you cover every detail to the tee without excessive unnecessary talking, expert knowledge, expert editing and most of all No annoying music that everybody hates at the opening of the video or during the video. I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into making the ultimate KZfaq videos.

Thank you Mod MINI, I just finished my 2011 Countrymen. I had a miss fire and thought it was the head gasket. Ended up that it was a burned valve. Watched your video step by step. It runs like new.

I was just given a free 2007 mini cooper S that the owner says he failed to take care of the timing chain maintenance so this video is in my future. All of this work I can do myself and I was amazed about how deep ya gotta dig into the car to just get the head off...but that's fine. It was all doable for me UNTIL the end where it was said there needed to be a computer reset. I have an OBDII but that's probably not going to do it. I think I can keep my head...probably just a couple bent valves. Not sure why the computer needs to be reset.

Outstanding, having just completed a timing chain replacement without the benefit of having seen this video makes me qualified to say, the tips presented here will save tens of hours vs procedures described in the Bentley manual.

THANK you for being the only video to clarify that the crank locking pin locks all the cylinders in time. I blew up my engine months ago, and was able to salvage the cylinder head. The new short block wasn't in time, and I've been scouring all over the internet to find something to match the time for the cams to the cylinder position.

ModMini is not just a KZfaq channel, it's a phenomenon! Thanks for all your hard work and straight to the point videos!

Just got a lowish mileage 2007 Mini Cooper S (100k) that’s already had the timing chain and water pump done. When it comes time for more work, I know where I’ll come for reference. Great content and very well done videos. Thanks!

So nice that now they finally learned to set timing not when cylinder 1 is TDC but when all cylinders are at mid height.

At the 1:15 mark you can clearly see that 2 of the pistons are at top dead center, yet you have the flywheel locking tool in place? How can this be?

Thanks for posting again. I always learn so much from your videos.

This is my first venture into a mini. There's a scary amount of things to deal with on this head job as compared to earlier BMW models with which I'm familiar. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I've made a sequential list of each item to be removed along the way before starting on this job. Wish me luck.

Nice follow up from part 1. Battery tools are the way forward. My air tools are gathering dust. 👍

Doing a timing job on a r56 jcw thanks for he video tutorial helped a lot for the specs

I really like the silicone spray trick... I used to use silicone seal but only on the male parts.... made it much easier to install AND remove when the time came...although you would think the opposite... guess it never bonds that well to metals/plastics... going to use the spray from now on... lots cleaner.. !!! thanks

excellent work. I saw your video and fix my r56

Great video, nice and detailed, I'll be coming back here if I need to change a head gasket on a mini.

Excellent video! Have you ever tackled the valve stem seals & guides on the N12? I'm planning to do the head gasket & figured I might as well knock those out since I'm in there. You're video is a big confidence booster! Thanks again.

Amazing videos, keep them coming 👍.

That was an excellent job brother appreciate it and enjoy watching the video God bless

That’s some professional work done!

I am hoping you do a video on how you clean the intake valves or keep them cleaned and what you have learned over the years

thank you again ..boy your fast ....glad a can rewind ......again thank you

Now This is how to make a 10/10 video!

WooooooooooW super Job I guess you have Done this Before, very educational :-)

Great video man! What camera and mic are you using? very crisp footage and excellent audio

Excellent video. Keep it up!

this is art

Top man. Great vid’ 👍👍👌

This and part 1 are perfect for my current project car (I'm in the processes of diagnosing an issue on my mini cooper 2011, non-turbo, and i need to see if the stat of the head since coolant is in the sump and engine oil is everywhere around the engine). I was wondering if you ended up replacing any of the bolts/screws when putting everything back together. I've seen recommendations suggesting that bolts/screws into the engine block should be replaced before putting everything back together.

Great job!!!

Great video

Very very professional

Dude you know ur stuff. Good vid!

Well done laddie

great work sir. Just started the timing chain project myself. Just eliminating it as my issue. Multiple cylinder misfires. Thanks for the videos.

thanks for the best video ever smooth clear and friendly explanation especially nice to replied to peoples 2 thumbs up 🤟❤

Thanks!

That’s aloooooooot of work and without having the software basically impossible yeah I think I’ll pass on a good priced mini with a blown head gasket!!!

First of all; thanks for all your excellent videos. They are the best! My question regarding this video: why are you nit using the timing chain pre-tensioner tool that comes with the alignment tool kit? Any particular reason for that?

Great vid

its because of you that i love my mini more every day (have 1 question why the adaptation is not just a regular swap?)

I found your 2 videos great to follow when I did the head and chain on my daughters 1.4 N12 mini. Made the job nice and easy for a first play with this type of car. After getting it all back together though the car won't tick over at all but revs semi ok around 1500rpm. Once it gets hot though it won't restart. I followed the link you posted and got a scanner, I opted for the c501. The cods it is showing are 2ee5 dme: map thermostat activation and 2B15 dme: differential pressure intake manifold, plausibility. Is there anything I could have missed for it to be now showing up these codes? Thank you in advance for any comments!!

fantastic video thanks, I'd have been lost without you. I changed a couple of things that may or may not help. Instead of doing the front end maintenance steps, I removed the studs from the head which was very easy, that meant I could do a straight lift of the head without pulling the exhaust manifold back. Also, I held up the timing chain- hooked it onto a metal coat hanger attached to the hood (bonnet over here 🙂 ), so that I didn't have to remove the cassette. when I lifted the head, I got someone to hold the chain and feed it through, then hook it back up when I was clear.

Great videos, thanks for sharing them. Is it recommended that the head bolts get lubricated before installation? I'm getting mixed messages on that and your camera didn't record that part of installation.

Great video! Did you replace the gaskets when you re-installed the intake and exhaust manifolds? When should they be replaced?

Nice Video! One question, when tightening the lower crankshaft screw do you just use the crankshaft pin to hold against it without any further locking? I'm a bit scared of shearing off the pin..

The crank bolt torque should be 38 ft-lb then 180 degree. I also use the tool instead of the tensioner to take the slack of the chain. The front main seal has a nice tool to install and should not be flush.

Hello sir i enjoy watching this video. Do you have made any video on valve stemp seal replacment ?

Thanks for the awesome videos about Mini Cooper. I recently replaced the engine for my 2011 Mini R55. I refer a lot from your posts. I have a quick question hopefully you’ll be able to help me. After the used engine install with only 46K miles, engine starts and runs great until it reaches normal operating temp around 190 on obd reader. Engine been stalling only when it reached the normal temp. Let it cool down and fires up and runs without any hesitation or rough idling. New water pump, thermostat housing, new coolant fluid, bled and temp sensor installed during the swap. Could it be the ECU getting wrong readings from the Temp sensor? I read in the forum I may have to get the ECU reset/reprogram. Thanks.

Great video as always. I don't like these videos where they say they are going to remove something, remove it, but don't explain verbally how they did it. I am looking to purchase the Milwaukee M12, do you suggest 3/8" drive or 1/2"? And some are only 50 Lb torque and others are 200 Lb

@Mod MINI how much, roughly, would you say this would cost to have done by an independent mini specialist? I have an 09 r56 cooper s, that has a blown cylinder apparently.

@modmini just finished with the work excellent video. I do however am getting p0015 and rough idle any ideas. I did leave spark plugs in when head went for skim. Did clean them. Do you know where i should start

I have 2011 clubman 3door turbo 1600 I bought a timing chain kit. The top guard in the head that comes with it rubs agains the top of the chain between the 2 sprockets ex and intake. I put washers under feet of bracket. it clears now.. That says the chain is too thick or guard too low? . next issue is the dip stick is hitting something on the way in about 1/2 way.. Next to the timing chain. ??

Hi, Thank you for the detailed video. I followed your instructions and replaced head gasket and time chain. I also ground the valve seats. After installing everything back the car starts and sounds good. The problem is that now we have check engine sign. Also, as soon as I put the key in, the windshield wipers work. When scanning with Creator C310+, I get the following errors: SGM-ZGM EPS ABS SRS TCM CAS SHD IC FRM AC CD CD-GW ECM I drove the car 200 meters with no problem (other than the windshield wipers). I erased the codes but they keep coming back. What should I do to get red of these codes. Thanks

hi bud great videos just about to tackle a blown headgasket on my partners r56 what adaptations do you need to reset once you get it all back together cheers

great channel. cant stop watching your videos, i have a mini one 2004. how easy/hard would it be to install air con ? my mini does not have it, thank you.

Great videos. Thank you for taking the time to record these and to share your knowledge. I do have a question; when the exhaust cam shaft is aligned and ready to accept the timing alignment tool (part number facing up and middle flat facing up), are all of the exhaust valves fully closed? I am in a middle of the job (doing head gasket replacement on my son's 2011 mini base, N16) and noticed that in this position, the exhaust valves on cylinder 4 are slightly open. All others are closed. Also, when rotating the exhaust cam shaft, it does not stop in the timing alignment position, it has a tendency to move forward some 15-20 deg. I noticed that in your video, when you moved the exhaust cam shaft and before you installed the alignment tool, it stayed in the proper position without advancing. Thank you in advance.

Hi, Great clip. I have a 2010 R56 non turbo and it has a very loud groaning noise coming from the engine, front i think, if it was another car, Suby, you would say it had noise power steering, car runs and performs perfectly, any ideas?. i wonder if the noise is an oil cavitation noise?

Hello I followed your instructions and did the timing with the special tool, put back everything the way it was before . My engine cranks , but it doesn’t run .

Your REC on the tool for purging the cooling system?? Great video........

Hey there, quick timing question...I noticed you said in the video that the exhaust looked slightly rotated...are the flats supposed to be level with each other across the top? Have you found a better lock set for the N14? if so what brand as the ones I have are horrible.. Thanks for making your video's! huge help for me and i'm sure everyone who watches.

Great video. you are the best at explaining the process. Quick question on the base model both cam sprockets are torqued to 15 ft lbs plus 180?

What direction does the first piston moves after alignment?

Greetings, mate. I have a 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman R55 with 150K miles that is experiencing misfires at idle and low pressure warning when car is warm. Upon inspection, there is excessive wear in the cylinder head cam seats. Do you have any recommendations for a reliable, relatively low mileage replacement head as you used in this video? Dealer quoted $4362 for an OEM replacement.

Nice job any rtv on head gasket before you layed on ?

Did you use new crank/cam sprocket.bolts or reuse the old ones?

Great video! I am working on the same engine (2007 R56 non-s). Your camera blanked out on the part that I really needed to see. When using the locking tool in the flywheel the pistons are not all even, about 1/2" difference between cylinders 1 and 2. Is the hole in my flywheel in the wrong position, or is the locked position not supposed to be dead even between all the cylinders?

Those milwakee tools are a life/time saver! Also while watching I was able to see that gear the is driven by the variable timing motor on the back on the head. I thought that gear was on the intake cam. When I pull the cam off to do valve seals would I also have to remove that bar the is behind the cam that is for the variable valve timing or does it look like it would be able to access the valves seals without removing it?

Like a boss...

great videos, but really at the end of the head replacement you have the same problem as before, one cylinder misfires. you change spark plugs and the problem is solved. Question is, why not do a more thorough diagnostic on the misfire prior to doing all this work. I'm glad you did it for our benefit, but possibly could have been solved with a spark plug change.

Other than the head bolts.... I was Just curious if you reuse any of the Torque to yield hardware bolts (crank bolt, cams, etc). Also... what are your feelings about using ARP head bolts? Thank you in advance for your input!!!

Hi I noticed that your two center pistons are all the way up when removed my head all the cylinders wear at the same hight should I be concerned about that

Hi, great video! Is there is any way that I can do a chat or phone consutltation with you about an issue with a mini cooper engine?

2:47 Why do you do an additional 90* while using the torque wrench. Wouldn’t the bolt strip? Snap?

Just a heads up they sell little plastic inserts with magnets that you can put in all of your sockets . No more paper 🙂

Good job!!! few questions... 1. Do I need disassembly all equipment for time belt change only (N16)? 2. How I can check time belt and tensioner condition after valve cover is off? (I already have problem with misfire on cyl4 so maybe I must change time belt)

Do adaptations have to be reset if your just changing the head gasket and not the head?

Awesome video I am in need in some advice just picked up 09 R56 turbo 167000km Had it at Mini for a check up they pressure tested the coolant system last Friday it was fine so I got a engine coolant flush at mr lube Sunday and now Friday I have oil in the system that wasn’t there before.. I showed mr lube it they took pics and I’m going back to mini on Monday so I can get a quote for a head gasket...question would the flushing at mr lube with the flushing additive cause premature failure of the head gasket?? Thanks for your time

The vanos gears have a little dot on them that must meet each other in the middle when put on

did u have the head shaved

Have you ever rebuilt supercharger on 2005 R53?

How do I correct the engine timing since my chain skipped? I've seen others align the pistons halfway up with the camshafts locked into place. Those were n14 engines. So do all pistons have to be at an even height? Thanks

You don’t have to find TDC? Or cam in your sprockets and such???? I’m about to replace the chain on my R53 naturally aspirated base 04 Mini. You make it seem easy.

Thanks a lot for your awsome videos. You saved me a lot of time!! I'm doing this same job right now and I'm having an issue. I rotated the pistons while the cylinder head was removed !! Don't ask me why... Is there a way to find the good position for the pistons (TDC) (I do have the locking tool)? Please help me!

on my 08 n12 mini do all the piston need to be haft way up the cylinder when i install the lock pin

you degree bolts by hand ? and use old thermostat seal ?

Hi, great work and vids.. Thank you for sharing. After replacing timing chain kit (due to P0014 code, over advanced exh cam) I now have a code relating to exh Vanos. Do I need to reset adaptations so Dme can learn new parameters?

@Mod MINI I notice in your video you have the locking tool in the flywheel. when you remove the head and put the new head back on 2 middle cylinders are up and 2 outside ones are down. is this the correct way to lock it I dont want to tear up my motor.

hey brother bought a 08 m12 mini the head was off an i bought a new one how would i align bottom crank shaft bought the kit you recommended

Could you make a video on how to reassemble an R56 base model cylinder head?

Hi, great vid, I am curious about one thing. When the timing tools are locked in place in this engine, should not all 4 cylinders be at the same level in mid position? but when you put the new head gasket on they aren't? hope you can answer, many thanks.

The part that’s left in the car. I don’t know if you call it the bottom head those pistons to call off the flooring at home is that the weather

I just recently got a mini and I have to do timing chain and tensioner do i have to replace bolt or can I get just a kit with tensioner, sprocket, chain, and cassette ?

Hey fantastic video very knowledgeable information on the mini any chance you are near pa I could use some help I fixed the miss fire thanks to the information in your videos now my first drive 4 miles round trip to the gas station and home and I pulled into my drive way and saw steam coming out I popped the hood and water pump was leaking in the same spot as water pump video and the miss fire code came back idle was very weak stalling and a weird drawing sound coming from some were in the engine compartment I bought a water pump all new plugs and coils cylinder four plug very black compared to the other three if you read this I could use your trouble shooting professional input please

I have a 2010 Mini Cooper I added coolant and the coolant leaked out the oil pan?

Mod mini, i have an r53 and thinking to track it about 6 times a year. I already have a 15 reduction pulley. What else can i upgrade hp wise, but while keeping stock internals with no risk ????

Hi I have been rebuild a n14 motor and how do I know if cylinder 1 is on the compression of exhaust stroke before putting the head on

Nice video. If and when I find a mechanic that can do this for my car. What is the price range in looking at ?

Hey modmini, got to do the 15% reduction on my supercharger soon. Just wanna know how long it normally takes? As I just wanna gauge the time. Cheers mate