How do you rotate the crank for alignment at 90 deg before TDC on an auto? Great video by the way. I followed your link from Mini Cooper DIY Help. I have four in various stages of disrepair. I plan to restore three of them. 01, 03, 07, 09S. The 03 will get the CVT trans from the 01 and the 01 will be scrapped for remaining parts. The 07 needs the AC fixed and the 09 I haven't gotten a good look at yet but the top end sounds like a box of rocks and it fogs for mosquitos after idling for 30 seconds or more. I hope you keep making videos, the no BS approach is great.

Thanks Darren - lots of useful information in this video. Much appreciated.

This helped me so much! Thanks for the share, I got straight through my repair with your expert help!

Thanks Darren! Really good job for 1st video. I have a 2012 Mini Cooper S R56 N18 so I hope you continue to upload videos in the near future.

By the grace of god I’ve reach 240,000 miles with a un opened n18. Never even had a timing chain done. I also have a stage 3 tune with a bigger turbo. The only issue it has is Smokey valve seals.

Hi, I hope you answer me you show the pistons they’re all lining up. Is it OK to install the head the way the pistons are all lining up please answer. Urgent please answer.

Super awesome video! When installing the timing chain on around the VANOS sprockets, what is the correct "slack" for the chain? Or it will only fit one way? How can you tell is installed correctly?

I have inlet and exhaust cam correlation codes after timing chain and dephaser kit fitted. Car runs fine, few cranks to start. Any ideas?

Are both the intake and exhaust cam sprocket bolts torque to yield or just the intake/vanos cam sprocket bolts and crank bolt

Found your video a few days back, great video very informative. Referring to your video I was able to complete installing a new timing chain in my 2011 non turbo but now my crankcase breather hose is broken. I have been looking hi and low but no luck for the correct one. My local BMW dealership was not able to help so would you have any information to locate this part. Again, great video and thank you in advance.

If you lock the crank with the tool and the camshaft with the tool (numbers facing up). than are you timed?

Thanks for the video. At what mileage do you recommend to change the timing chain on those N18 engines?

Just did the valve seals last weekend and i should've known messing with the timing i should have replaced it because there's a slight rattle between on and off throttle now. (80k miles on a 2011) So i'm doing timing this weekend. I used the tensioner screw thing to tension the chain while i torqued the cam bolts and i noticed you didn't use that. is it better to torque the cam bolts with the actual tensioner in? they say the screw tensioner is supposed to be torqued to like 0.8nm to take slack out of the chain, then torque the cam bolts down and then install the actual tensioner. p.s. i dropped 2 keepers putting all 32 in by hand, sure wish i knew about the grease. one was found down in the front bumper, and the other inside the fan shroud. I should go buy a lottery ticket.

Have you guys ever done a timing cover for an oil leak? If so does that include removing the head also or the oil pan?

Now I know why the dealer wants so much.

What is the cost for this at the dealership? Do you do this on the side? I've already purchased the replacement parts. Im right up the road on 550.

Hi everyone. Maybe you can all help me. I have these error codes. P1338 2DA0 2C58 I start the car and after 2 km an error appears while if the car is warm I can travel without problems. It happened to you too. Do the video sensors have to be computer coded? hello everyone from Italy

I have problems error code 2DA0 inlet camshaft: angle offset with respect to crankshaft outside tolerance

6:39 I don’t waste my time with that goofy tool. I just unhook the spring legs from the rear, and unbolt the entire assembly from the cams. It’s 3 bolts (not reusable) saves a ton of time, and money on a borderline worthless tool.