Hey all, 2011 countryman s
Started to slowly have an issue following a P0012 code a month or so back. Only on cold (sit over night or a long period) I get a very weird rasp only in 1st and 2nd gear around 1500 rpm. If I push the clutch in and stop accelerating it goes away but, if I accel again it comes back. It will only do this for about two blocks. Recently changed plugs and coils. I had the oil changed recently and I've been keeping an eye on the oil level.
Finally decided to take it into the MINI dealer. Explained the problem I was having and the fact that I recently had thrown the P0012 code (since I pulled the code and subsequently cleared it the service writer proceeded to tell me that the OBD code was "no good" and "not a mini code". Can't wait for the survey on that one.
Anyway, the service techs kept it for three days driving it each morning and couldn't find anything. Car got a full bill of health. Car is no longer under warranty so I feel that if they felt it could possibly be the timing chain they would have tried to sell me into having it fixed and I would be surprised if the MINI dealer would miss a bad timing chain since it seems pretty common on s models. There was only 1 code stored when they ran the mini scan tool, a super knock code.

First morning back with the car and the noise is still there. Owned the car since 2012 and I've never heard this before so I know it's not normal.

I don't want to chase things but, camshaft sensors and/or vanos is also on the possibility list and relatively cheap. I've watched countless cold start mini YouTube videos and the timing chain noise sounds very different, much louder/harsher than what I'm hearing.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

So that error code has to do with the camshaft/variable valve timing (VANOS) system. All Mini dealers do the whole, that is a generic (P0XXX) and not Mini manufacture specific (P1XXX) code, which is ridiculous. But as for your code, it is most likely due to an issue with the variable valve timing oil valve, variable valve timing oil filter, or phaser gear. Or, at least those are the most common causes of that code to my understanding.

If the noise only happens in 1st and 2nd gear does that mean it does not continue in 3rd and higher? if so, that could be a transmission issue. I would try calling a German Auto specialty shop and see what they think as they might be more willing to see the issue than the dealer for some reason and would be cheaper.

I would not worry too much about the timing chain as that issue was primarily on the N14 engines. You have a N18 engine which is much less susceptible to the issue, but it would still be making a lot more noise if it was the issue as you mentioned.

 

As stated, your problems are probably going to be slimmed down to a VANOS fault or timing issue.

Have you checked the oil recently? Low oil, failed oil filters, carbon/debris can all cause VANOS problems due to oil flow.

If you're able to I would pull both VANOS solenoids and inspect the screens on them for any debris, and it doesn't take much for them to act up either. You can try cleaning both solenoids and clearing the codes, but cleaning the solenoids doesn't always cure the problem you may be in for a solenoid.

While timing faults aren't common on the N18 we have definitely seen enough of them to not totally rule them out with a cam correlation fault.