Hey all, It's been a while since I've posted a thread. Now I'm back with a question. I have a 2007 Cooper S. It's on its 4th tensioner and 2nd chain. It's been 4 years since the last chain was put in and a year and a half since the last tensioner was put in. Well it's making noise again. I have all the parts to do a timing chain job, but I had a thought.... Has anyone ever Cryo treated a timing chain before installing? Cryo treated rotors work really well in terms of longevity. And I have a client that works in the drilling business that uses Cryo treated drills that last 3 times as long as non-cryo treated bits. So, why not the chain since its apparent that it's a wear item on these cars? To repeat myself, has anyone done this? What are some of your thoughts? But not you Dave.0. I know most of your general thoughts...
No info about Cryo on the chain.... So the next one will be your 3rd chain.... WOW.... how many miles on your 2007? Was the sprocket replaced when you had the second chain installed?
I believe Cryo treating drills and rotors makes the harder so for the application they are used in that is good. You don't want a chance to be hard because this would make it brittle, that would be very bad! I would not do it. I am with Metalman I would change it all at the same time. Bottom sprocket, chain, guides, and tensioner.
I would be concerned that the cryo treated chain would cause the non-cryo sprockets to wear faster. I agree with Metalman that being on your 3rd chain the sprockets may be worn & need replacement too. Every timing chain kit I have ever installed included sprockets too. (I've never done one on a MINI)
Yes, as the chain wears it gets longer, which means the links are further apart, so eventually it's not centered on the points of the sprockets anymore, and starts wearing the ramps too, that same worn sprocket will now wear out the new chain more quickly as things no longer align properly. As for cryo treating the chain, wrong application for this technology.....
Grizld asked this question at NAM and Nick Fry, the Detroit Tuned MINI Tech, responded that his shop sends the timing chains out for cryo treating to improve longevity. https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/311779-cryo-treat-the-timing-chain.html
So, if someone is already doing it successfully and explained it to him already, wonder why he didn't share that?
Seems Detroit Tuned is doing this on all timing chain kits they sell and have been for a while. Soooo that answers that. And to clear some things up, I am replacing everything (chain, sprocket, tensioner, guides, all new hardware, and even the exhaust cam gear) as I don't know for sure what was replaced previous to my ownership. Also all the other tensioners and chains were done before I bought the car 40k ago. It has 90k on it now. So I can only assume the person that owned this before me abused the car.
I'd think if Chad is doing cryo treating it must be OK. He sells & installs a lot of those chains. If it was a problem he'd know by now. Chad & DT FTW.
I've got almost 140,000 on my 08, and had the timing chain tensioner replaced about 100,000 miles ago. No trouble since then, at least regarding that. Knock on wood.
It looks like they have been doing this to motorcycle timing chains with good results. I guess it does not harden them as much as I thought it would. I would defiantly trust DetroitTuned.
OK..... So did you have them cryo treat your chain? Sounds like the PO didn't change the oil often enough......I don't know how else you could "abuse" a timing chain.
Running low on oil, not changing oil, yep that's abuse to the timing chain along with many other parts.
IIRC the 2007 models (maybe other years as well) had a longer recommended oil change interval. And due to that, simply following what MINI says to do could have been abuse enough. Of course we all know now that 5k is as long as you want to go, if not sooner.
Rules of owning ANY BMW / MINI. Rule 1 NEVER EVER trust them ^^ when it comes to oil change intervals no matter what car you buy from BMW / MINI. Rule 2 No car they (BMW / MINI) has ever made has any lifetime fluid. SC,Trans., Diff. Rule 3 NEVER EVER put eyelashes on your MINI. :lol: We will all point and laugh at you right to your face. :frown2::lol::lol::lol: Rule 4 Never us a automatic tunnel car wash. :incazzato::mad2::incazzato: Rule 5 If you need hill assist to drive stick your should be driving an automatic. :idea:
Chris, I definitely trust DT to not be pushing any snake oil. (God knows Chad has already delved deeply into my own wallet.) I'm glad all of those other goodies under your bonnet will have some new parts to support them. When do you plan to open up the engine for this work?
Probably another month or 2. I have to have a weekend that I can dedicate to myself. So it'll be a bit yet. I'm going to borrow Steve's special tools to get the job done. I just have to bring some craft beer :wink: