I replaced my timing chain tensioner on my 06 cooper s because of a rattle sound when it was cold. The sound would go away after warming up.

I believe the sound is ever worse now, only when the car is cold. Last night it got down to 45 and it sounded as bad as it does when the temps hit 0 around here. The sound goes away once it warms up.

It has me frustrated.

 

I actually had the same issue. 2005 mcs, replaced my timing chain tensioner on Friday and all is well. How many miles and what viscosity oil are you using? Have you ever run low on oil? I know the tensioner is hydraulically activated by oil pressure, I actually ran into problems when I switched to euro castrol 0w30 last winter. Terrible rattle developed, and then Went back to euro castrol 5w40, rattle stopped. mind you, I have almost 120k on my motor.

My rattle came back ever so slightly the other week so I decided to put in a new tensioner, no problems. Perhaps you have an oil pump issue, or need a thicker weight oil as your motor may have worn past tolerances? Since you put in a new tensioner, it makes sense that you can rule out a defective tensioner, the fault may lay somewhere in the process of the activation of the tensioner.

Have you pulled the valve cover and inspected the surrounding areas?
I feel for you. I understand how annoying it is.

 

Thanks for the response. I am using a 5-30 synthetic, Perhaps that is too much viscosity? The car has 76k on it, it is actually embarrassing to start the car up when it's cold out it sounds that bad..

 

No other responses? I must be the only one with this issue :(

 

The chain tensioner works on oil pressure so it would not get better with the engine warming up but worse if it were the original problem.

First thing I would try is an oil change, if nothing more than to use it as a diognistic tool, go to a good syn. euro blend 0w-40 and see if it changes anything.

 

Stock camshaft? Could be a worn/stuck lifter bucket or 2.

Jeremy

 

Sure it's not your serp belt tensioner or idler pulley going bad? Take a long wooden dowel and carefully probe and listen for the sound. Take care not to get caught up in any moving parts.

 

Here is a video I made this morning. You can hear the hideous noise quite clearly. The sound does eventually go away after a couple minutes. (Maybe I should go back to driving the mustang J )

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...6-08-29-41.mp4

 

Yep the cam is stock still, Could this give me an excuse to install a better cam?

 

True if it was a viscosity issue. However, if the issue is the oil is draining back to the pan after shutdown, then it would be present on cold start, and go away after pressure builds. I don't have my Bentley handy, but I'd look for an anti-drainback or pressure relief valve in the lubrication system.

 

I have a bit of a rattle that seems to come around when the car warms up a bit.

I just replaced my harmonic balancer with the ATI Superdamper, and the vibration that I was getting since I replaced my motor mounts is gone (I also feel like a minor power loss has been resolved too, though my dampener did not blow up the rubber was deteriorating though).... But there's this rattle that I am getting when the car warms up after a bit. If the car is really warmed up (ie 20 minute or so ride) and I turn the AC on, the noise is worse...

Timing chain tensioner? Bad idler pulley?

I haven't had a long screwdriver with me when the noise is happening so I haven't been able to pinpoint it for sure, but it definitely sounds like it is on the passenger side. My clutch is on it's way out too, and I have seen horror stories of throwout bearings grenading themselves in the tranny, but I don't have any trouble changing gears so I don't think it's loose ball bearings in the bell housing...

I did have the alternator replaced early on in my ownership by a reputable local shop (before I realized how easy the car is to work on myself) so I don't think that's it. And I know the AC condenser is a loud sucker.

I don't want to start throwing parts at it to fix it though.... Anything else I can do to pinpoint the problem?

 

I'd venture a guess that you're on the right track in suspecting the idler pulley and/or the serp belt tensioner. EZ to put the front end up on jackstands, remove the rt. front wheel and wheel well liner, start engine and use a long dowel rod to your ear to confirm.

 

OK so after some more diagnosis by an untrained pro, I discovered that this mysterious rattle goes away when I let my foot off the clutch enough to grab a gear... I guess that indicates throw out bearing? It doesn't go away by simply pushing the clutch pedal in or remaining in neutral. It has to be grabbing a gear.