After a brief search of the threads, I did not come up with what I am seeing with Wensleydale.

On cold start up first thing in the morning or if I have cooled more than 8 hours or so, I hear a brief rattle (almost sounds like rods) and sometimes a tap of what sounds like hydraulic lifters pumping up (I assume as an OHC she has no lifters).

I suppose that this noise is in fact the brief instance that the engine is turning and oil pressure has yet to build. I have had this in my mustang following an oil change.

I guess the question is this normal or common ? Once she's warmed up she starts without any noise. I do park on slight inclines, both at home and at work when I've heard it, not sure if that alters the oil pick up.

Any thoughts ?

Mike

 

I've been waiting to reply but no one else has asked. Sorry to ask the obvious but how's the oil level? Does it take longer for the oil indicator to go off when starting than before? (I have the chrono pack with gauge so don't know the config of the oil press warning on most MINIs) Or do you have the chrono pack and if so what the pressure read and does it go there on starting or..?

 

see below, my wife was logged in and I didn't realize it

 

Thanks for the input, oil level is fine, not that new to cars old chap

I ordered Wensley as a no frills car so no chrono or added gauges. There are no warning lights going off, its a quick rattle and then gone. It may be that it is normal and most do not hear it because of the seat belt alarm. I usually belt up first then turn the key.

I'm not particularly worried, just curious to see if others hear the same thing on a cold start.

Maybe some of you could pay attention first thing tomorrow morning and see if you hear a rattle or tap, just a quick seconds worth as the rpms go up then settle to idle.

Mike

 

Sorry, had to ask. Was on one thread where it went to 3 pages before anyone asked. And it turned out the person thought that it only needed checking at the MINI service intervals. And the oil was down 2 Qts.

Mine's quiet but garaged so it doens't get as cold. Hopefully everyone will listen in the am and chime in.

 

ive noticed this too, more like whiney rattle but only for a second or so and only when its cold in the morning or after the car has sat a very long time, and temp is below 45F or so. Oil level is ok, and i only have 800 miles on him.

 

As an outdoor pet, Wensley is always jealous of indoor pets I bet that person's tires were flat too !


Yep, that sounds like it, I listened this morning quite closely and it is only a brief second. I'm guessing the oil is very thin and it takes a second for the pump to build up pressure.

Mike

 

Mike, is Wensleydale an S?

There is a thread elsewhere about this issue. (I'l try to find it in a minute). In a nutshell, some folks are experiencing low oil pressure on startup, and it seems to result in inadequate oil pressure to the cam chain tensioner (it's hydraulic). When it's loose (cold) it rattles, and the cams aren't opening and closing the valves at exactly the right time, and that can result in a rough running engine until the oil pressure comes up.

Let me see if I can find the thread. Be right back.

Ed

 

Mike, I can't figure out how to post the link to the thread, but if you do a search for 'cold weather starts' there's some discussion that might help explain what's going on with Wensley. Sadly, there isn't a cure. I'll PM you with more info.

Ed

 

here ya go..https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...weather+starts

 

I suggest try to reset the learning data from ECU by disconnect the battery for couple of minutes. May or may not help anything, but it harmless and free.

 

Thanks guys, I scanned over the thread a little and they're talking minutes, I'm talking about 1 second and its only after sitting for at least 12 hours. She sat at work today for 12 hours and no noise so it maybe its an overnight in the cold thing.

Yeah, I'm paranoid, I love the little bugger and well, you know the story, she's my first new car too.....

Cheers,

Mike

Damn ! Leona logged in and didn't log out ! Thus the post under SB