Hello,

I bought my mini with 54 K miles and have out ~26 K miles more on it. It is the funnest car to drive and i make any excuse to take her out. Since a few months I have been hearing loud growling, clattering noise when I accelerate past 50-55 mph.

It has brand new tires, new serpentine belt, new friction wheel and belt tensioner. Not sure where the issue is. I am hpoing it is not a transmission issue(Manual).

The interesting part is when I start the car in the morning it is perfect and once I drive it for about 20 minutes or so i can start hearing the noise.

any advice /pointers will be gretaly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

welcome aboard first and for most. a little video would help a lot and a picture of your beauty.

having said that, i would check the oil and then move to the timing chain. Is this the base model or turbo?

 

Thanks minitobe.

I will try and get some audio.

Update: replace vanos solenoid yesterday. The car has marked performance improvement.

The old vanos had debris and may have been causing issues. The next step is replacing the valve cover since I know there is vacuum leak and found oil on the exhaust piping when I was replacing the vanos.

 

Have you checked your wheel bearings? That is where I would start. I have also seen transaxle gearing start to wear and cause noise problems. Are you hearing the problems in a certain gear or could you be in 4th 5th or 6th gear at that speed and have the same sound?

 

Update: Looks like I found the issue.

The top guide had comepletly sheared and was inside. I was able to pry it out and removed other pieces from the oil pan.

ordered replacement top guide. The tensioner is perfect and the chain has no slack.

waiting on the new top guide to arrive. Also purchased a new valve cover and will be replacing it all together.

please let me know if it is ok to replace the top guide?

thanks,

 

I would've replaced the whole timing chain kit. the top guide broke for a reason and putting a new one just buys you time before it breaks again (fingers crossed)

 

Second what MiniToBe wrote.

 

"The top guide had completely sheared and was inside." Inside what?

"The tensioner is perfect and the chain has no slack." How did you assess the tensioner? We are on at least the third re-design of the tensioner (IIRC), replacing the tensioner with the latest version seems to be widely regarded as a best practice.

 

Hello,

Took the car into the shop since it was on planned non operation.
The mechanic is a reliable, mini shop.

They have quoted 2300$ to address
1.timining chain replacement
2. crankseal replacement
3. waterpulley replacement
4. valve cover replacement

the 2300 includes parts and labor.

My concern is if this is done will I run into the same issue with timing chain in 20-30K ?

this car had timining chain replaced at 27K under warranty and mini does not want to help put anymore with this.

Please let me know your thoughts on holding on to the car or just get rid of it?

thanks,

 

That's too much.

The parts are cheap, let's say $400. If they charge 150hr for 8 hrs, that's $1200.

You could DIY or find a local mini enthusiast who can do this.

 

Thanks, that was my initial feeling.

The car is possibly worth 4K at best was not intending to throw 3K on repair.

I would take on this job myself with someone who has gone through this in person.

Any mini enthusiast in the bay area that can help?

Please let me know

 

Had timing chain kit replaced, new valve cover. The cars runs like brand new.

Next challenge: emission.

Thanks for all the guidance.