Hello fellows, new member here with a 2010 cooper S clubman.


Picked up a used one just past summer and now I believe I have the infamous death rattle with check engine light on.

I am sure there are millions of the same thread here but I don't have much time to search plus a little depressed now and can use some help.

What's the normal rate for the job? 1k(10hrs) with parts? Just the tensioner or there is other things I need?

Anything else to replace while I am at it?

I do aware of the issue after I got the car, oil change every 6k and keep the oil lvl high. Oh well.

 

Denly,


Sorry to hear you're getting the death rattle. You should be within the "service bulletin" dates for this issue. It is certainly worth checking with the dealer about it.


I have a '10 Clubman S that I got with 7K on it last summer and now have 26K. I've followed some of the threads and from them have determined that mine has the "updated" tensioner with the dimple on the bolt head, which was a fix for this issue at one point. I'm hoping that it cured/prevents the problem in my car....


Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

my car had the death rattle and ended up having to replace the whole motor they covered 75% of the repair so is only costing $1700 said would of covered whole thing if the car had been serviced at a mini dealership was fixed under the timing chain tensioner open campaign should ask your closest dealer about it good luck

 

Mine went and was 100% covered by the TSB. Talk nice to your service adviser, and you should be OK.

 

RobertJ,

What dealership did you go to?, The one here in KC says there is no such TSB for 2010 clubmans

 

Here's some reading:

http://distributionthp.free.fr/resso...ini_092010.pdf

 

If you want, PM me or post the last 7 of your VIN and I can check the warranty history on the car for you.

Some did have a recall for this. No promises tho but I'll check.

 

Who did you talk to? Cause it's a national campaign and Baron is certainly aware of it.


Call Isaac in MINI Service and tell him I told you to call....he'll need your vin and mileage to start with.....he'll help you if he can.

 

Contact MINI usa and give them your vin and tell them you have the death rattle. There is a 'campaign' to repair this and they will cover this 100%. Basically it is a recall and they are keeping it quiet.

 

LOL, keeping the death rattle quiet, Ironic.

 

Lets try not to imply things that are not factual. It is not a recall. That is a specific term and MINI is careful not to call it such.

OP:

However, the link above is good documentation and dealers should certainly be aware.

There is not a guarantee of coverage. Each case is being evaluated on its own. That is why so many here preach kindness when working with your dealer. You need them on your side so they will fight for you with MINI corporate. The dealer gets paid either way. They bill you or they bill MINI. Which would you rather have happen?

Now, if by chance you are denied coverage, look for a good qualified local MINI independent shop to do the work and you can save a bunch of money. If you don't know of one, let this community know where you are and someone will probably know a shop near you.

Lastly, document everything. Conversations, receipts, who/what/when. Save it all. Someday this may come back as a court case settlement like the CVT transmission and if you can prove all your stuff you may see some money.

 

Update on this for 2010s, Baron Mini in KC is still saying that my Mini is outside the TSB, it is in there for its maintenance and to have them see why the CEL is on (only thing I found was 2 pending codes P1497-downstream air leak and P129D-MAP maximum implausible) which they called yesterday and tried to tell me that the CEL was on because the thermostat housing/sensors needed replaced (already done 2 months ago - it was leaking) then they said it was probably the intake valves needing cleaned (done 2 weeks ago - intermittent stumbling surging issue remains) - finally they are claiming its all due to the timing chain now...this seems ridiculous to me

 

sounds like a fishing exercise to me.....

 

Update 2 for those interested...SA Isaac which was very helpful said Mini would automatically approve 45% payment of the timing chain, so Isaac emailed someone (Mini USA i assume) and they came back with covering 80% so I had them do the timing chain (not free, but $241 for the job seemed good enough since the parts themselves are more than that for me to do it) they said it had a broken guide and measured at 72.5mm (max should be 68mm)

Got the car done yesterday, went to pick it up, they said all was well, went to leave dealership and the CEL was already on! So they just called this morning saying they had replaced the intake pressure sensor (MAP) and that they wouldn't charge anything

So hopefully the BUBCHUK is ready to rip again...SA Isaac was helpful but it would have been nice if they would have done a better job of troubleshooting instead of trying to copy and paste the previous recommendations without really looking into it