I recently had a timing chain tensioner go bad. I replaced the the chain at the same time. its a kit that comes with everything. I know this was over kill but I am a little paranoid about timing chains. I could have done just the tensioner.
What part of the country do you live in. Maybe we can help find a good mini specialist.
If you want your mechanic to do it he will need a special tool. Here is a link for what you need. Agin you can do just the tensioner.
https://www.detroittuned.com/mini-n14-timing-chain-kit/
It comes with everything.
The sprockets for the cams and crank do not have any keys in them. The tool holds the cams and crank in place once you install the new chain and tensioner you torque the sprockets to speck and that holds new. It is very important to torque it the way Mini says to do it or the sprockets will slip and you will bend valves.
here is the tool he will need
https://www.detroittuned.com/mini-n14-timing-tool-kit-rental/
The timing may be off now. I would take care of the tensioner problem first then see it that fixes the problem. It sounds like this is where it all started.
Lastly here is a youtube link that shows how to do it. I like this one because he torqued it wrong and had to redo it.
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