this is my 2005 mini S. Its not the original engine so miles are unknown.

 

There are no lifters, rocker arm rollers ride right on the cam shaft.
It's hard to tell from recorded sound, but usual culprit is bad timing chain tensioner piston, does the sound subside with RPM? This adds tension to the chain and would normally take out the slack and lessen the noise.
If it is the tensioner piston, it's a common problem and an easy fix.

 

There are lifters or tappets on the rockers where they touch the valves. Timing chain is good.

 

That sounds more like a dead cylinder and less like a chain noise.

Have you done a compression test?

 

Sorry, never considered the valve caps as lifters.
Nick is in to something, listening to it closer, there sounds like an exhaust or compression "huff" going on in the cycle.

 

It does throw a po704 code misfire #4

 

I tried to do this procedure http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2009...ppet-problems/ and the EML light came on. It pretty much died after that.

 

I did a compression check 135,145,150,90. Engine was warm. I check this engine before I went all the trouble to install it. I had better numbers then that when it was on the ground. I was told it ran. I sure doesn't want to in my mini.

 

While the compression numbers are low, 1-3 are at least close, so the low readings could just be age.
But the #4 reading is unfortunately saying "pull the head" and do a good visual.
But before you do, use an automotive stethoscope to try and pinpoint the clatter.

 

Yea it's sucks having that low number. I had better ones on the garage floor, but I did squirt oil in the cylinders then. These are my plugs there brand new. Number 4 plug was much cleaner,but it was misfiring according to the ECU

 

Jeff, sorry about your luck, as Blwnaway said; you'll likely be pulling the head to find either burnt exhaust valves or piston/ring damage (a little less likely).

What ever the outcome is keep us informed, we'll be glad to help you along the way.

If you end up needing a head we have a rebuild out at the machine shop right now getting decked, cleaned, new valve guide seals. Give us a call if you end up in the market.

586-792-6464

 

I used a stethoscope on the motor the valves sound the fine all across to valve cover the tapping noises coming from the flywheel. What would cause the flywheel to make the tapping noise

 

Except for something physically breaking in the clutch assembly (which shouldn't cause a noise to be that consistent with rpm) I can't think of anything.
I'm afraid, with all the other clues, it may not be the clutch or flywheel, but noise being transferred from the #4 cylinder.

 

The noise from #4 is nothing like the flywheel area, but it does sound like lifters. It does get louder as you rev the car. Heres a youtube video. it sounds a lot like my car. This engine I bought off Craigslist thinking mine was blown. When I did have it running it had the noise also.

 

I have another flywheel I can try.

 

I did a leak down test, but don't think I did it right. I did a compression check afterwards and #4 cylinder had 150psi it had 90psi last week. I'm still getting a #4 cylinder misfire code also. This car sure is screwy. I suspect the flywheel is screwed up since 2 different engines have the same noises. Question how do you tell the flywheel is bad.

 

This video is my original engine with 47k miles on it. Since the craigslist engine sounds the same when I have it running I'm sure thinking it may have a bad rod bearing as well. What luck is that?

 

Any luck on this?