I have a thread on my rattle but it is lost in the mix and with a new thought on what could be the issue I have started this thread.
Time to time what we start the car when cold it has some loud rattle/clattle sound from the motor, from the top I say. Timing chain issue has been fixed already. This car NEVER did this until we took the car in for the engine light figure that was half black half orange which means you may lose power, drive safely, easy to your dealer type of thing.
Well the dealer says it was the HPFP that caused that issue and since I have not seen it again. BUT since that repair I get this noise from the motor that when it does it, it last for about 10-25 seconds then goes away and is gone for the day, days, longer until recently where it is doing it more frequent. They showed me where HPFP is located, on the top side of the motor on the cam I think it was. Could there be an issue with this pump???? They say they checked it and it was "tight" no play????
Before I took the car to them Monday this rattle was getting to be a every morning thing but for a few exceptions. I have to wonder that if they played with the pump to check it if they fixed the issue just in doing that. Since it is not doing it for them they don't want to do anything else until they hear it doing it. ARRRRRG

 

I think I posted on this with you before.. My question is what side of the motor is the sound coming from?

 

seems like it is on the top, left or right I don't know because by the time I get the hood open it is all but gone. The time we had hood open and ready to listen at first start, NOTHING, quiet. Listening to a few vids on Youtube and other sites I put my money on it being a timing chain issue though that was fixed already under the recall.

 

Hey Tim How long ago was the timing chain recall done? And what did they all replace?

 

it was done in the last few years. I do not recall what they fixed. All I know is that they did use the currently suggested parts by Mini. I do not think it was a total over haul of it though. There is some piston in the system, I have to wonder if it is not working right.

 

Well it is the timing chain. It is stretched out to 72.8mm when mini current max spec is 68mm.
The recall was put out Sept 2013. Car was fixed for timing chain issue in Oct 2012 when there was no recall and the max spec was 72mm and the chain at the time was at 70.8mm.
So they fixed it with the tensioner that it called for back then which is still one of them on the recall now, the most up to date tensior. All ok there.
I guess there are 3 tensioners that could have been fixed and they fixed the one that under the recall if it were broke again they would fix under the recall.
Well it is not broke and nor are the other 2. The chain has just streched out to 72.8 all on its own!!?!?!?!?!? The new current spec for scretch is max of 68mm. So the dealer has kicked it up the ladder to see if they will fix it for free.

 

My beef is that since there has been timing chain system quality issues that they should still fix it since they have lowered the spec from 72mm to 68mm and mine was not fixed to be in that current know good spec.

 

If I have to eat this repair which they say woul dbe most of all the TC set up, what am I looking at for the dealer to do it?

 

can a mod/admin change the title of this thread to TIMING CHAIN FIX PART II

 

Hey Tim, In your case they should replace the whole timing chain cassette along with a new tensioner. It comes as a complete assembly. Ive watch them install one from start to finish. Its not horrible but the key is to have the cam locking tools. But on cost it will vary im sure. $1300-$2000 is my guess.. I want to say the parts are about $400-$500. Something kept telling me it was your timing chain. But honestly I hope in your case they take care of it for you! Good luck!

 

My service guy was saying since the parts under the recall have been fixed with current called for parts (up to date rev I guess) that there is not recall work to be done. The chain is just stretched. My concern is WHY DID IT STRETCH and with all the issue with the timing chain on these that I would have they would go in and fix it. Heck if everything is fine, the tensioners and all, just out a new chain on it and call it a day.

 

I am lucky this motor did not go boooom on me, this rattle has came and gone for a few months now and we recently just took it to TN and back.
I don't understand that if the chain is to long now why it did not rattle all the time???

 

I agree Tim. Yours is the fist I have heard where the noise would come and go..Sometimes even days with out any noise. It is good you caught it though. This type of problem can cause serious motor failure! Ive worked on a few MINIs in my garage for people and have heard some really serious timing chain noises. scary noises lol. Heres what IMO is wrong with even the current timing chain assemblies. The guide rails are all made of some sort of plastic. Even the one the tension presses against is of some plastic type material. I feel those guides wear more then the actual chain stretching. Thus once those wear It throws the timing chain out of tolerance.. Granted this is just my opinion but something tells me its the guides that wear first..which is really the hidden cause of this. I just hope the new assemblies are actual updates and not just a temporary fix! Good luck my friend.

 

where can i find the recall on this, the info on what they would fix

 

I think if you search on this forum you will find all the info needed. But what I find strange about it.. Dealers tend to go with the term campaign replacement or good will.. I do know some that did get it fixed for free and some that didn't.. It seems they get to pick and chose who they help..which really doesn't sit well with me. Also some get the whole assembly replaced while others just the tensioner. In your case I would say you need the whole assembly.