Dear Mr. Scotty, my 2012 mini cooper s with 130k miles keeps on getting out of time, when I start the engine it runs for a little bit, then shuts down, each time i check i find it out of time, i then adjust its timing and works for a little bit then the engine shuts off and gets out of time again. I think that this has to do with the oil pressure, because when i run it with low oil it keeps running longer than with full amount of oil. Keep in mind that i have rebuild this engine before. Please give me some information on what i should do in order not to get out of time.
Is the mechanical timing what’s coming out of time or is it just reading off on a scan tool for variable timing? I’m assuming it’s a chain driven engine I would inspect the timing chain tensioner I have had in the past where they appear good and have tension but they do not retain tension for example when the warm up and they become soft which could allow a tooth to skip. I would think that would cause some engine noise as well. Otherwise If it uses hydraulic timing valves to advance or retard timing they may be sticking
It is the mechanical timing which gets out of time
I would replace the chain and tensioner to be on the safe side and eliminate a weak tensioner or possibly stretched chain allowing it to jump