I just purchased a 09 Works Clubman with 42000 miles from a "reputable" dealer. I am new to Mini's and am not sure what kinds of noises are normal.

On cold start there is a very short lived but loud rattling noise from the pass side of the motor. It sounds a lot like a timing chain rattle on a Toyota 22r motor. Im guessing that the tensioner pumps up with oil pressure and the noise goes away. Am I way off base ? Any ideas?

 

I know it a dumb question but is your oil to the full line on the dip stick . My r53 did this and when I checked the oil it was about a 1/4 so I toped it off and the noise went away.

 

I'd probably take a video of the noise with your cell phone and bring it and the car in to a Mini dealer. See if they'll look at the tensioner for you.

 

Oil is full thanks. I think I will take it back where I bought it, makes me nervous.

 

you're probably right that it's the timing chain. those things go out within 20k miles of tensioner replacement. check it's service history.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your "reputable" dealer just sold you a car in need of a timing chain + tensioner job. Figure ~$2K for the job if the car is out of warranty.

If you are withing the warranty period - run to have this properly diagnosed and repaired. Nothing good comes out of poorly tensioned chain wobbling around, hitting the guides and shedding shards of metal all over the engine. In the worst case, the chain will skip a tooth or two and introduce valves to the pistons with terminal consequences for the former.

HTH,
a