Had my chain, tensioner and guide rail replaced under warranty 4 months ago. Looks like the rattle is back.

has anyone had to replace these components twice ?! if so what could be making it go bad again?

could this be a lemon?

 

Did you buy your Mini new? How many miles do you have? How many miles to you add during the 4 months? There could have been a defective part or the mechanic possible didn't torque everything properly.. Get it right back to them before incurring more damage and expense.

 

Hi, mine was done at 68,240 k. and now I'm hearing a noise again. Taking it in for a check and praying its not that again. This was 2 years ago. Last year had the coolant pump replaced due campaign and now thermostat housing is leaking coolant. Yikes. I bought this car in June thinking most issues were resolved...apparently not.

 

I have a 2009 (bought used with 9k miles) replaced tensioner kit at 11k.... now i have 15k on it. What damage can i do if i drive it like this?

 

Check your oil level the car will make a similar sound if you are low on oil, as in a few quarts low

 

If left unchecked and it is tensioner / timing chain related you could trash the motor. If the chain is loose it starts slapping other parts or could jump teeth on the sprocket. The work you had completed 4 months ago should be under warranty.

 

Wow! Thank you blakeslee, you were right! I came home and added 2.5 quarts of oil and sound is gone. I am upset with myself though because I have been checking the oil and I have never had more trouble reading a dipstick in my life than with this car. I feel like an idiot but even my son said it was fine a couple weeks ago. I hope I didn't do any damage driving with that noise for the past two weeks.
Now wondering why it's burning so much oil. This is the second time since I purchased it in June that it took 2 quarts. Thanks again for your helpful information.
Patsy

 

Holy crap - that's more than half the oil that it will take!!!

 

will check my oil asap... but i think the noise is from the same general area... but damn 2.5 quarts!!!!

 

Apparently pre 2011 just burn oil. I think mine is burning more since doing the timing chain job!

 

not all pre 2011 burn oil. my 2010 has yet too, but it has been getting 6 month oil change intervals. I also must grandma my car....

 

i think thats the key ... change your oil every 6 months

 

Well I talked to Mike at our local dealership here and he explained it sounded about right that 6.5 quarts oil have been added to my car in the last year. He said it's normal for a quart/month when I expressed concern over why so much oil? That just seems like a lot to me do paired to my last car.

 

+1 my 2010 doesn't burn oil either. I do change the oil every 5~6K miles. I do not grandma it though lol.

 

I have no idea how many timing chain related posts there are. If you have had problems/repairs and failures related to timing chain please view this post for hopefully future legal action.

 

this is good news