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SB-10044037-8778
SI M11 03 11
Engine

April 2012
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M11 03 11 dated March 2012.
designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT

Engine Oil Leak and Timing Chain Tensioner Resealing or Replacement Procedures
MODEL

R55 (Cooper Clubman and Cooper Clubman S) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engines produced up to
11/2011
R56 (Cooper and Cooper S) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engine produced up 11/2011
R57 (Cooper and Cooper S convertible) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engine produced up to 11/2011
R60 (Countryman and Countryman S) with N16 and N18 engine produced up 11/2011
SITUATION


The customer complains of an engine oil leak from the engine compartment. When diagnosed, the
engine oil leak is identified at the timing chain tensioner. In some cases, the timing chain
tensioner is only hand-tight.
or



The timing chain tensioner is being removed and installed or replaced for the condition described
in M11 02 07 “Rattle Noise from Engine”.

CAUSE

The timing chain tensioner seal ring material hardness is too soft, resulting in lost tension during the
timing chain tensioner tightening sequence.
PROCEDURE

1.

If the engine oil leak is coming from the timing chain tensioner, remove the timing chain
tensioner and replace the seal ring using P/N 11 31 7 631 972.
Do not replace the timing chain tensioner.

2. If the chain tensioner is being removed during any other repairs, be sure to only install the new
chain tensioner seal ring P/N 11 31 7 631 972.
3. If the engine is receiving a new timing chain tensioner, discard the seal ring that is supplied with
the timing chain tensioner in the box, and substitute it with the new seal ring P/N 11 31 7 631 972.

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Refer to REP 11 31 090, Removing and installing or replacing chain tensioner piston.
PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Quantity

11 31 7 631 972

Chain Tensioner Seal Ring

1

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Procedure 1
Procedure 1 is covered under the terms of the MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty or the MINI
NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty.
Defect Code:

11 31 04 48 00

Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

11 31 090

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing or replacing the
piston for timing chain tensioner

11 99 000

1 FRU

Work time (WT) for visually inspecting
the timing chain tensioner - vehicle
already in the workshop.

Labor operation code 11 31 090 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for
another repair; use the Plus code labor operation 11 31 590 instead.
Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance. Enter the Chassis Number, which
consists of the last 7 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Click on the “Search” button,
and then enter the applicable flat rate labor operation in the FR code field.
Even though work time labor operation code 11 99 000 ends in “000”; as described above, it is not
considered a Main labor operation.
Procedures 2 and 3
Invoice and use the new seal ring P/N 11 31 7 631 972 as outlined. If the repair being performed is
eligible to be submitted under an applicable MINI limited warranty, claim the seal ring part number with
that repair.
Other Repairs
If visual inspection results with other eligible and covered work, claim this work with the applicable
defect code and labor operations listed in KSD2
[ MINI, a division of BMW of North America, LLC
Copyright © 2012 BMW of North America, LLC ]

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