I changed the oil last weekend and now the engine knocks on cold start up. It continues to knock for a few minutes in the mornings and stops a quarter mile or so from the house. It won't do it when it's warm. I used factory authorized Castrol STP European Formula 0W-30 and a genuine MINI filter. It didn't knock before the oil change. What could I have done to cause this? It can't be a coincidence.

It threw a CEL. OBDII scanner said it was a knock sensor. I reset the code and it's stayed off but the engine still knocks.

 

Double check that your threaded oil fill cap is installed properly. My MINI had a check engine light/rough initial idle/code much like yours. The service advisor also warned me to be sure that the dip stick was well seated too.

Hope the solution is as simple as this...

 

I'll look at that in the morning. Thanks for the tip.

 

Is it the "death rattle"? Google or YouTube it, either way 09 should be a warranty issue, right?

 

As well as the dipstick being pushed all the way in also
check to make sure the oil cap is on firmly. If either of
these two things are not correct you can get a CEL and
rough run.
Double the oil filter housing check also. Should be able to
feel around the base and make sure it's not cocked eyed.
Make sure there is no oil seepage from the filter housing.

Very stupid question but you did put oil in it, right!

 

Make sure you have enough oil in there too. Mine knocked a bit the first time I did an oil change although not enough to throw a cel. I just needed to add a little more oil and it quieted down. Hope it's a simple fix for ya.

 

Mine knocked when I accidently overfilled... check oil levels as well