Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
My 2007yr Mini Cooper S with the BMW/Peugeot/Citroen N14 Prince engine stopped due to a seized camshaft which snapped the cam sprocket bolt! Caused by a blockage of the too narrow oil holes. The engine had only done 79,000 miles, so it may happen to a few more people. Luckily it didn’t seem to have bent the valves as compression and emission were still fine after I fixed it. And more luckily I used a method of removing and cleaning up the camshaft without removing the timing chain, covers, tensioner or half of the front of the car like the workshop manual will say!
Partly to see if it was possible, partly for a challenge and partly because I didn’t want to spend more money on this car I decided to see if it possible to set the valve timing without the special camshaft locking tools that are recommended. And yes it is possible! I split off this part into a second video shown here:
youtu.be/QZjVJtBZB5s
If you really want to do it with the special camshaft locking tools then you can buy them here on
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3wrs88l
AmazonUSA & Others: amzn.to/3V7WGX1
Also here is the Haynes workshop manual
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3I8ebhR
Amazon USA and others mat stick it: amzn.to/3wrBAZa
Using these links will not cost you any more than going there without using these, but it does earn me some few coins.
As an Amazon and eBay Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY, fixing stuff, car bits and tech reviews here:
youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=comeinhandynow
Note, if you want to be notified of new videos click on the bell symbol on my home page.
See other videos on my channel here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow
Lots of playlists on different DIY subjects, with hundreds of videos that I have done here: youtube.com/@comeinhandynow/playlists
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link:
paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more.
e.g. Generally useful DIY stuff:
Face mask:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2GHE9d6
Similar ones on Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2IHmip1
Eye goggles: Amazon UK: amzn.to/2IUSqos
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2GAtIXJ
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, here's the links for:
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & other countries: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
A set of precision screwdrivers:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2W311si
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2Z322T5
Torx bits sets:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Pgmf48
Or Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2XlOK3h
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
Additional background music free used royalty and copyright free (no copyright songs) from the following sources:
Song: “Just Be Active” - by Sasha Grey.
My 2007yr Mini Cooper S with the BMW/Peugeot/Citroen N14 Prince engine stopped due to a seized camshaft which snapped the cam sprocket bolt! Caused by a blockage of the too narrow oil holes. The engine had only done 79,000 miles, so it may happen to a few more people. Luckily it didn’t seem to have bent the valves as compression and emission were still fine after I fixed it. And more luckily I used a method of removing and cleaning up the camshaft without removing the timing chain, covers, tensioner or half of the front of the car like the workshop manual will say!
Partly to see if it was possible, partly for a challenge and partly because I didn’t want to spend more money on this car I decided to see if it possible to set the valve timing without the special camshaft locking tools that are recommended. And yes it is possible! I split off this part into a second video shown here:
youtu.be/QZjVJtBZB5s
If you really want to do it with the special camshaft locking tools then you can buy them here on
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3wrs88l
AmazonUSA & Others: amzn.to/3V7WGX1
Also here is the Haynes workshop manual
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3I8ebhR
Amazon USA and others mat stick it: amzn.to/3wrBAZa
Using these links will not cost you any more than going there without using these, but it does earn me some few coins.
As an Amazon and eBay Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY, fixing stuff, car bits and tech reviews here:
youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=comeinhandynow
Note, if you want to be notified of new videos click on the bell symbol on my home page.
See other videos on my channel here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow
Lots of playlists on different DIY subjects, with hundreds of videos that I have done here: youtube.com/@comeinhandynow/playlists
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link:
paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more.
e.g. Generally useful DIY stuff:
Face mask:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2GHE9d6
Similar ones on Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2IHmip1
Eye goggles: Amazon UK: amzn.to/2IUSqos
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2GAtIXJ
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, here's the links for:
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & other countries: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
A set of precision screwdrivers:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2W311si
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2Z322T5
Torx bits sets:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Pgmf48
Or Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2XlOK3h
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
Additional background music free used royalty and copyright free (no copyright songs) from the following sources:
Song: “Just Be Active” - by Sasha Grey.
