I have a 2011 MINI at 67xxx miles on it. I am way out of warrenty (3 yrs, 67xxx miles) and am unsure what to do. Even the diagnostic is out of my budget on what i can afford atm. ugggh. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=734154323272932

 

Sure sounds like it. This is not a difficult repair. Go to an independent shop with experience with this repair and save a ton on labor and even parts.

 

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

Note that is not something you want to ignore, either--hot exhaust gases can erode metal. Especially aluminum, like the cylinder head is made out of.

 

Omg.. that sounds much more worse then the average growl sound one gets in the early stages of a bad timing chain tensioner. I wouldn't even start it anymore before you have a serious engine failure or damage. Ive heard several bad timing chain issues..Never have I heard that type though. My advise here is to have it towed into a good mechanic you trust. good luck!

 

Or a popped spark plug. Is that an issue with the N series motors? It seems to be making the sound only one out of every 4 engine rotations.

 

Humm maybe im hearing something wrong here. But doesn't this sound like a loud knock? I will listen closer but ive never heard anything like that before! Yikes lol

 

This is not a minor issue here, clearly the piston, connecting rod or your valves are being continually hit by the piston. Pull the oil pan and check the connecting rods, check for movement. I don't understand is how you could even let the engine run in it's condition for as long as you did, you could be damaging the engine every passing second!

That is nothing like a knock, there is something contacting the piston that shouldn't be!

 

As the others have said this is NOT the typical timing chain rattle. Since you have a 2011, timing chain shouldn't be an issue, they changed both the chain and the guides for the newer engines.

The easiest thing you could do is to open the valve cover and see if anything bad is visible.

 

I have been speaking with several mechanics (some from MINI, some are people I know personally) and most of them are either saying a bent rod or the chain tension. It goes away as I begin driving. Once I hit 2000 rpm in first gear, its completely gone in all other gears (and when i'm coasting to a stop light in neutral)... I have had no choice but to drive it, though my work is very close as far as drive time. I am scheduled to go in and he said if the motor had to be rebuilt, it would be about 6K after taxes, time and labor. I was told that a bent rod in my car was very very unlikely. Also, my chain tension caused a leak at 47K miles. No engine light is on either. Either way, its going down to Indianapolis Dryer & Rheinbold MINI.

 

That sounds much more serious than a timing chain. Sounds like something hitting the piston, not even a knock.

Could also be something stupid that sounds scary (spark plug popped out on 1 cylinder or an exhaust leak, more likely the first one). Regardless if I were you I would check the plugs ASAP and then not start the car again if everything there seems fine. Towe it away to a shop, although since you are driving on it I am sure the damage is done at this point.

Good luck and hope you get her back on the road soon!

 

I wonder who Mini uses to rebuild their engines, you never know what corners were cut to save $$$! Like not having the cylinder walls honed.

 

what model mini is this