Do cooper s motors naturally make a bit of a knock/rattle? I have a '02 and on startup it sounds like the tappets knocking but does end up going away just about. But i notice that when your driving along and you give it some gas, i hear a kind of tapping sound as if the tappets need adjusting. when u rev the car at a standstill its not there though. Is this just a normal thing for the mini?

 

in general it is not a lexus.

 

True and with miles things will make more noise.


WTH is a tappet?

 

What octane gas are you using?

YD

 

The valves might need adjusting. Tapping on startup usually means valves.

 

You said you drive along and then give it some load, then hear the noise. Sounds like predetonation to me.

YD

 

i always use 98 octane so predetonation shouldn't be an issue. Maybe lifters?

 

Step outside the vehicle and put your ear to the wheel well, if the noise is more pronounced on the front right (driver’s side in the land down under?) and not on the left, then I would suspect the vibration damper. I would suggest replacing the crankshaft vibration damper if it is the original as a precautionary measure. The early model is prone to failure and as a bonus the later version is lighter.

When mine started down the road to ruin it sounded like a rattling chain or a syncopated dinging. With tension off the belt the crankshaft vibration damper could be rocked by hand; a healthy damper should not move at all.

Of course one of the hydraulic lifters could be failing, it is relatively easy to remove the valve cover to inspect the little yellow plastic keepers (no adjustable tappets), but removing the camshaft to get a really good look requires a camshaft locking tool and the chain tensioner is not the easiest to access as well.

Find someone else to compare the sounds from your vehicle with. You may find it’s normal chatter and you can rest easier.