Well, after hearing about the Cold Start issue on the R56S for months now, it has finally happened to me. Twice now in 2 weeks! I know this has been discussed in length in other threads, but I'm wondering if there has been any creditable information on the cause of this awful engine sound. I need to be armed with information when I take into Classic MINI and they try to tell me, "Oh, they all do that". Any information will be greatly appreciated, because if this "dieseling" sound is causing longterm damage to my engine, I want it documented when/if the engine blows up someday. Thank you! Cheers.

 

I'm sure none of us can help because no one knows the cause, if it's bad or not and no one knows the fix. Do a search on it on this and other forums and you'll hear the same thing, no one knows...

 

But get your dealer to enter your complaint in the system on several occasions. At least that way, you'll have documentation if a problem and/or solution is ever identified.

 

This is what I did too. Try asking them if you can leave it and have a tech start it in the morning- tell them you think that the noise is excessive and that you're concerned about it. Just popping in and saying "I hear this rattling noise" tends to get written off- the BMW/MINI system seems to be complaint driven, so give them a (polite) complaint to document and check out.

 

Good point, having a tech look at it costs money! This will eventually get some kind of action if enough people do it.

 

Mine started doing it this morning! It was so loud and rough it scared me! My car always stays garaged out of the elements too. Last night was the first night upper 30 degree weather. The temp in my garage had to be in the upper 40's though Im thinking. Maybe I will keep the garage heated . Hmmmm.

 

Umm.... Doesn't "cold start" refer to engine temp and NOT ambient temp. I mean this issue pops up in California and Florida too..... (and it happens in summer also). Right?

 

Cleveland, we're from the same sort of Snowbelt area except my lake effects come off st. clair instead of erie.

When they say 'they all do that' I'm half inclined to read that as 'all cars do that', not just mini's. Short of hooking up a block heater, I think you'll have to deal with it. When it's ridiculously cold, push the ignition for the accessories to come on, let it do that for about 10 seconds so the fuel pump builds up fuel pressure. Then turn the car over and let it run a minute or two before heading out. It'll still diesel but not nearly as long.

I mean the cold messes with the oil, makes it thicker, running the car brings the temp and the viscosity up to its operating weight.

 

You should call your dealer and let him know about the dieseling sound. I called my dealer last week and told my SA that I wanted to put a note about the noise in my car's file in case there was an issue down the road. He told me that this noise is not normal and the car needed to be brought in immediately. He was familiar with the noise and said that the problem is not as common as the forums would leave you to believe. Mini is also aware of and working on the problem and will have someone from "the factory" to look at my car. My Mini goes to the dealer to be checked out next Monday (12/15). I'll post what Mini tells me.

 

I think you'll find that the cold engine temp suspiciously linked to the ambient temp...

But yeah, it does happen in the summer and when it is not necessarily cold outside. That being said, we've noticed that the frequency increases noticeably once the outside temperature hits about 40°F, or if it seems more humid than normal.

 

Had it happen at all temps. I just ignore it or shut down and restart.

 

It happened to me once my first winter, but never again. That was until about 3 weeks ago when it happened twice. So while i was getting 2 tires but on i had the dealership look at it. Under warranty so it didn't cost me anything but i got an official complaint logged. Won't matter much since in 14 months they will get their mini back!

 

Definitely an intermittent problem for most of us. I never know when it might happen with my MCS. Sometimes after I haven't driven it for a few days and then again sometimes after I've driven it the previous day.

One characteristic that I've noticed, on cool days the knocking sound seems to last longer (3 -4 min) than in warm weather.