Ok so I barely have 40,000 on my 2011 JCWS. My son said the car sounds odd suddenly. I agree. it has an odd light rattle/chirpy sound. upon acceleration the sounds speeds up. we used our engine stethascope and the noise sure sounds like it is coming from the top of the timing chain area of the valve cover.
I see Mini has had a recall on this known problem. I called my mini dealer wher I bought it and the gal in service says there is no recall on my car for this.
I do see the recall was for cars up to 2010. But yet the same problem in my 2011 is not covered? anyone know anything about this??

 

Take the cover off and make a visual inspection. Check for signs of wear. Look for any broken parts. On mine the upper guide had broken off pieces and they were all chewed up by the pump gear at the bottom. Caused it to make a whirring sound. Ordered a timing chain kit and installed it.
Ps it was loudest under the car when I raised it and ran the engine.

 

Well, with all the symptoms of this being a time chain issues, it was not. Im at 41,000 miles. So it was a crank seal that was leaking onto the harmonic balancer which has a some rubber part to it. So, had to drain the engine and open it up to do the fix anyway, so while open and exposed, we changed the time chain anyway. parts are cheap enough and the labor had already been done. I would have to do it soon anyway. total replacement as the kit comes with the guides.

 

Good it's resolved!

 

it was not a recall

it was a class action suit settlement

and these expire while recalls do not

http://www.timingchaintensionersettlement.com/