About a month ago I had my JCW in for its annual checkup. While the car there I wanted them to check out the situation with the cold start clatter. They did not even bother to keep it over night and attempt to duplicate the problem, they just took car of it. They replaced the timing tensioner with the updated piece (pretty large difference between the parts). In Cleveland it has been bitter cold with temps in the teens and as of right now no issues.

Just wanted to update.

 

I should probably get mine in. ive had some clatter lately with these fridged temps... last winter is was rare.

Ive debated just leaving it alone, but i dunno. I need to decide before 50K?...if i recall, thats the warranty mileage.

And what is this large difference in parts?? out of curiosity

 

the old tensioner definitly looked inferior compared to the replacement. It just looked stronger then the old one, wish I took a picture.

My car did not have the problem that often and debated the same, but I just wanted to make sure everything was right.

 

yeah ill probably be giving them a call in the near future... might as well get it while its 'free'

 

Welp, taking her in today for the fix... after she sits at the dealer overnight... I dont know if theyll have to hear it or not, but it is in the teens so shouldn't be a problem.

 

Just a heads up - there are two related SIB's for this concern - an older one that references the updated tensioner, but also a newer one that applies to excessive slack in the timing chain itself. We've replaced dozens already, so make sure they check the car over in full, and that they're aware of the newer bulletin, too (not all dealers have experienced this issue yet, and it's easy to keep doing the same bulletin for a similar complaint without checking for newer updates.)

 

excellent. thank you

 

They said i dont have it.... That a diesel sound is normal, and that the Tensioner issue can happen at any time hot or cold (which i suppose is true).. Said it is an unmistakeable sound... NO ****, thats why its there!

 

See my other post - it can be hard to recreate unless the engine is stone cold, and even then it can be intermittent.

 

thats the problem...seems they need to recreate it.... i guess ill just have to bring it back again later... :(

 

Horse malarky. Are you in a loaner vehicle? Tell them to start it again tomorrow. And the next day, and every day it takes until it duplicates. If you aren't in a car, make them give you one and do the above. Don't take the car back until they've tried multiple cold starts. And like I said - make a big stink, citing the bulletin, and the mass amount of customers with this issue. You love your MINI, you expected a quality product with amazing customer service. Ask for it if you have to, even though you really shouldn't have to!

 

all ive done is call the head of service guy Bill Langford. Left him a message. I did already tell the SA who called that id be in tonight, so ill just go in and see what i can do.

EDIT: i dont feel like i should be fogging up this thread lol... ill stick with the big dog Engine Chatter one. Dont even have a JCW

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hatter-57.html

 

I just figured that noise was part of the car's charm, along with the hesitation and bucking.