Hey guys, I know that I've got the cold start rattle but this isn't it.
Just driving home from my gf's tonight who's about a mile away the car had the death rattle pretty bad.
When I got home I popped the hood and checked my oil and it looked to be about 1/4th of a quart low, Not too bad though. So I topped it off with some 5w-30 I have standing by in the garage for such an occasion.

So I started the engine to get it to just mix around and this was what I was greeted with


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syztMI4B2g4

I am unaware of how long its been making this noise but last time I was under the bonnet about maybe 3 weeks ago I clearly do not remember this noise.
Its not the injectors that give it the "diesel-y" sound.
Its the inconsistent metal-y rhythm. I don't like it one bit really.

The car is a 2008 Cooper S with 30,537 miles on it.
Last oil change was 27,600 miles although the oil is looking pretty black so far.

I have noticed lately that it feels like the car is running kinda "meh" lately but I got tires on back in November that were bigger and also kinda made the car feel a little slouchy so I am unsure if it's because of the tires or a problem with the engine.
I'll be calling MINI tomorrow asap but any input from you guys would be great.

Thanks

 

I am currently having the same issue. Would love some feedback on this.

 

Hmmm...mine does that sometimes too. Interested in finding out what it is..

 

that sounds pretty bad....I have had cold start issues as well and it is starting to make noises again. They replaced the tensioner but not the chain....it feels a bit down on power too...watching and listening closely

neat car but the engine not so neat

 

Sounds like the chain and CARBON BUILD-UP PROBLEM which will cause the knocking etc.You probably need a cleaning and changing your oil sooner.The engine design is not made for 10,000 mile oil changes.I might be a little conservative on my oil changes but I just recently change mine at about 3,000 (I'm over 50,000 mi)I know, I know....but I have never had the "sludge problem and my mechanic says the engine and components are in great shape...so it must help,oh yea I also run at about that time techron plus to clean out the chamber...It has worked for me........

 

Sounds exactly like the tensioner problem. Probably needs the new tensioner setup. Should be easy fix under warranty. Had mine done over a year ago, and no problems since

 

I hate to say it, but that does sound terminal. I can tell you this however. My sons 07 MCS is at Orlando MINI now getting a motor put in it. He developed a miss so he took it in and the diagnosis was carbon buildup. $1100 later for an intake removal and manual cleaning of the runners and valves and the miss is still there. Now, the head needs to come off and basically have a valve job done. $4200 now and oh by the way, the timing is stretched pretty bad. I just know I'd spend 4200 bucks and have them come back with it needing a timing chain replacement too. SO...for a little over 6 grand I decided to put a motor in it along with a new clutch and flywheel. Down side: Lots of money, Up side: 2 year unlimited mileage warranty.

Now this is a MINI with 80K miles that has been maintained well beyond manufacturer recommendations. Oil changes every 5-6K miles. Driven "spiritedly" but not abused and always ran quality premium fuel. MINI has a hand full of problems with these motors and they know it. Mainly stretched timing chains and massive carbon buildup. I see legal action in the future. We bought these cars expecting a decent longevity out of them and it appears they are failing at alarming numbers. I don't hear of other manufacturers having similar issues.

Good luck on yours, please keep us informed!

 

Ditto on that. I had the same noise about a year ago upon start up periodically when it was cold and it was the taken care of with the new/improved tensioner under warranty. Never had the rattle since.

If the car only has 30k miles and is an 08, take it to the dealer as it is a warranty issue.

....and seeing as it's making the noise after the car has already warmed up and not just upon a cold start up every now and then, I'd do it sooner than later. People have had blown engines due to this issue, and while that would likely be covered by your warranty as well, you don't want to deal with that.

 

Oh my...All of this is very bad sounding news... thanks everyone for the input.


Ive had the carbon build up issue addressed at about 23k miles around June last year (2010) and i've had my oil changed about every ~7k miles so far since buying the car.

I've also had the car in and mentioned the Cold Start Rattle before, I was just looking over my papers from the dealership and they said that I was 2 quarts low and once topped off that the noise went away.

I've been taking care of my car, Topping it off with oil often so I find it hard to believe that I was 2 quarts low. I think that they did not want to do the Tensioner fix, If I remember correctly this was around the time when a lot of MINI's started coming in for the issue. This was from the "bad" MINI dealership btw... Since then I've been going to the other one in my area that takes really good care of me and my MINI. If your from the Boston area you may know what I'm talking about.

Ive always put Shell 93 octane in the tank too, Top quality stuff, never the cheap.

I'm calling MINI now.

 

Take the video in, or record a new on on your phone. If the MA says its not, show it to the Service Manager...

Thats how I got mine fixed. Just had to pursuade him I actually knew what I was talking about

http://www.minitis.net/tsb/bulletins...p/M110207g.htm

quoted from an old thread I posted in before I had mine done

 

Ok so a few more videos of the sounds. Also I mixed up my terms a bit because it does sound like its making a Knocking sound is also how it could be described.
No CEL's or lights otherwise.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OA48cvlrTA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T63wW3D1V5M

 

sounds like chain tensoner to me still

 

Peter, first video I couldn't hear anything unusual at first, which in itself is rather strange. Cold-start problem normally is noticable as soon as the car is started. Second video definitely sounded like cold start problem.

There's 3 threads that cover this topic in great length. You should probably repost your questions in one of those threads
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rt-issues.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-database.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-chatter.html

 

One more video to upload. This is a weird kinda of klunking sound.

 

Once again....if the car is an '08 with 30K miles on it, why don't you just take it in to the dealer to have it checked out? The car is still well within warranty coverage. You aren't going to be charged to have it looked at. If it's like most MINI dealers, they'll probably even give you a loaner car while they are looking into the issue. Even if they tell you it's o.k.....or that you're crazy and hearing things, it will be documented that you had it in and for what reason.

 

Oh Fastlane, don't worry, the car is going in Wednesday.
I was just putting up this video to get it on here so that my MA over at mini could hear the noise. I had told him about it over the phone and I said to listen to it for himself, I emailed the page to him so he could check it out.

I couldnt get any help last week because they are swamped with backlogged cars to get done because of their parts supplier warehouse had a roof collapse from what he tells me. No loaners for that same reason. He's going to have to fix me up with a rental from an outside company but they will take care of the cost.

 

I am of no help here, but the sound made me think of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang .
Sorry, you're having an issue, good thing you're only at 30000 on the clock!

 

lol... chitty chitty bang bang it does sound pretty rough though.
Kinda worries me about the longevity of the engine considering my long term plans for it

 

I had right around 30k on mine when It made that sound, I took the video and showed my service department, they then asked me if they could have the car as they wanted to look at the slack int he chain then. I was busy but I came back in a few days and had it all swapped right out under warranty.

 

neat cars but engine not so neat..I have the same sound again after having the tensioner replaced about 3,000 miles ago. I guess the chain needs replacing now. I am beginning to think the engine is a POS

 

I hope they just replace the entire assembly and be done with it, I see no reason for them to leave any parts of the assembly in there that had been taking any abuse while dealing with the issue. I'm going to bring this up with them.

Peanut, I am starting to completely agree with you, I really like this car but if the engine won't hold out even after being babied then there are some serious issues....


If this thing is a real issue down the line I'm thinking BMW's new 2.0 Turbo 4 could make a nice swap

 

I am taking mine back to dealer for the same issue again today. This is the third time for the cold start clatter/tensioner issue. The first time they did nothing as they said they could not hear anything. I heard the noise start for the first time after about the first 2500 miles. It is a clattering/wobbling noise that is heard in the videos. In December, they replaced the tensioner and the noise returned shortly after. Now I have 12,000 miles on it and it is clattering/wobbling again after start-up....

 

So for anyone wondering I got the car back on Monday and its all better.
Thanks for the help! Now lets hope it all stays like this.

 

Please understand, the engine is not a POS. One part (the chain tensioner) has been a problem, and that problem part is causing the trouble for the others, If you replace the problem child, you're good to go! Don't let one badly made part ruin your perspective....get it replaced and motor on!

My tensioner was replaced at 3k and I haven't had a sinlge issue since.....

 

Now to take care of that pesky Carbon Build up kid
Putting on my BSH OCC when the weather gets warmer and as with rest of the "Parts in boxes" in my sig.