Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum, so Hello Everybody!

As I was saying, I've been experiencing a "diesel-like" noise on cold startups, which randomly appears and usually disappears within few minutes.

I read somewhere it may be related to valve timing chain tensioner fault (where they call it "Cold Start Death Rattle"), and read somewhere else typically dealers play dumb and have you wait until warranty expires before "diagnosing" the problem - the very expensive problem..

Guess what? That's just what happened to me. In a last attempt to get it fixed (I bought used, so had only few months of warranty leftover) they returned it with an oil change and said everything was solved. But it did again, so I did some research and, well, here I am. With my warranty expired less than two weeks ago.

Now I don't want to say they actually did that on purpose - letting factory warranty to expire before diagnosing the problem - but it just smells rotten to me..

So here's the question: does anybody know if the chain tensioner brings eventually to engine failure? Is it just a matter of poor design which brings to annoying loud noise on winter (the Chicagoan, harsh and long winter..) or is it actually dangerous and NEEDs to be fixed right away?

Thanks in advance.


Now to change topic and bring it to something more interesting: trackdays, trackdays, trackdays. Who knows where I can give MCS a run for its money? With other Minis would be awesome of course..

....and, last but not least, what's the best way to get JCW performance w/o JCW costs? I bet I'm gonna get a lot of follow up on this...

 

You don't say what year your car is. 2006 and up have tensioner problems that can lead to engine failure. Generation One cars (before that) don't.

Tell us more and you will get answers.

 

sometime, you just need to try a different dealer if the other is not willing to diagnose your mini properly. in your case, i'm not sure but i read that some get 'good will' repair out of warranty with a bit of contacting corporate mini-usa.

 

I would go back to the dealer and argue that they failed to fix the problem. And I would press for it to be covered under warranty since you originally reported it during the warranty period.

 

Excellent advice. Do it.

 

I totally agree that you should take it back to the dealer and press for them to cover it under warranty. If you brought it up previously and they did not do their due diligence to get it repaired for you, they owe to you, especially so soon out of warranty. If they won't help, call MINIUSA.

 

If you park on a hill, try parking nose-up.

 

Thanks guys, will do and see what they say.

I found a long, long, very long list of "noisy cold startups" on this forum, so now I'm better armed when contacting the dealer.

Btw, if anybody knows about trackdays, I'm still interested!

 

2007..

I better be taking care of that..