MotorMouth, stop insinuating. I started by saying "not to cause worry or concern" and you still falsely believe that I have some agenda because of my low post count ... geee, I wonder if maybe I'm a potential purchaser and quite concerned about what I've read over the past months about other people's concerns regarding the frightening noise they've heard at start-up. I then stated "maybe piston slap", not that it IS, in fact, piston slap.

Rather than jumping to conclusions about what I may or may not be doing on this board, try to control your knee-jerk reactions by not assuming. None of my few posts here show any malice towards this car or brand.

 

Wow. Maybe I'm getting deaf from old age! Or the sound of the blood rushing in my head whenever I get close to the car (or is that my blood pressure ) Just didn't bother me or made me notice.

Of course, my other vehicles are a harley and ducati with pipes, and an old Suburban that certainly isn't quiet. All relative I guess. So injector ticking? Hardly a bother for me!

 

Well, yeah, that could splain it. Rode one of my tenant's harley and my rearend vibrated for 2 days.

 

I've had mine since Feb and it doesn't get any worse in the winter...I was hoping it would go away in the summer, but now I kind of like it. It's like a little heartbeat

Wow, tinglely buttocks

 

I think the cold weather piston slap issue a valid question. Since I've had mine... temps have only been as low as the mid-40's. The only sound I get (cold temps or not) is what I think is the cam chain slapping as the engine decelerates to almost idle. After the first mile or so... it's gone.

 

dneal, no way of increasing tension?

 

As I understand it, it has a hydraulic tensioner. Between that, the play in the Vanos' cup gear, and the "on demand" oil pump... it's just going to be noisy for a few minutes on startup. Apparently it's not just the Mini engine, but most (if not all) new BMW engines.

 

accepted =)


If you've been around awhile you should realize we've had a rash of someone or sometwo making multiple handles to blow a problem out of proportion.
That is why people with low post counts are suspicious.

There is ONE thread about piston slap and the OP speculated it might be piston slap. See his post further down in this thread and he says he has only a possible timing chain slap noise. conclusion - nobody really knows what is causing the noise.

When I read your post I went and read every comment you've made on this board before replying. That is why I use the term "maybe not" after my statement of the post causing concern.
I believe you also used your use of the term "maybe" to defend your worries of a possibly non-existant condition. At least I had the word not in there.


From the ONE thread you read about piston slap you got all worried correct? And that thread went nowhere because so few people have an abnormal noise. No matter how innocently you asked the question it made it sound like a very common problem. Do an advanced search and you'll find maybe 5 or 6 people who mentioned having an abnormal noise other than injector ticking (which IS normal). If you got worried from one thread, think how it can snowball when there are now two threads that mention piston slap.


Now someone who reads that thread, then reads this thread is gong to get the idea that MINIs have a piston slap problem when in fact it was nothing but speculation.

Sure there are a few people who seem to have an abnormal noise but it is not widespread. Your post made it seem like it was and it was something people should worry about.

 

dneal - you are the person who created the "piston slap band wagon" https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=piston+slap
. You think "what about piston slap?" is a valid question yet - you then say "The only sound I get (cold temps or not) is what I think is the cam chain slapping as the engine decelerates to almost idle."
Perhaps you are right. You've been a mechanic and seen it before in other vehicles but even you admit you don't know what the cause is.

I'm not trying to attack you. You've been around a long time and own an R56. It's just that you got some people worried about it after saying you may have it, now you say you don't but they should still question wether that is the problem? See what I'm getting at? It's creating a paranoia where there isn't a need for one.

I believe you have an abnormal noise but why not get a MINI tech to determine exactly what is? Then report the conclusion.

 

I didn't start some "bandwagon". I addressed some engine noise comments from other threads in a new one. There was a lot of discussion about this issue on mini2, complete with video links.

My car makes a lot of noises on startup, and only one causes me any real concern. I'm frankly too busy to take the time or effort to diagnose it or take it in right now. The predominate noise is what I think is the cam chain; based off of other reports, searching other forums, and talking to the mechanic at the local dealer. My initial suspicions have no bearing on the validity or relevance of piston slap being an issue, nor preclude my discussion of that. I still believe there's some slap at startup, which is not uncommon for short-skirted pistons.

The point of a discussion forum is DISCUSSION. There are mechanics, tuners, and all sorts of people here with similar, other, or more experience(s) than me or mine. I'll never know what they think if I don't ask, and take umbrage at the suggestion that I should STFU about it until I know absolutely what the issue is with my particular car; for fear of creating some "unfounded paranoia".

If you don't like the topic or thread... there are others you might prefer. I'll continue to post what I like (within the forum guidelines) without worrying about obtaining your approval beforehand.

I think your posts in this thread are not only off topic, but out of line.

 

Discussion of R56 "tickers" is strictly forbidden....

There is no ticking sound... these are not the droids your looking for...

 

MotorMouth, dneal just explained my views on this thread pretty well but I'll throw in my own text just because.

You are INCORRECT ... understand that this is NOT the only forum for MINIs on the 'Net so, AGAIN, don't knee-jerk by assuming this concern of piston slap and/or frightening start-up noise (or whatever it is) is not justified because it's only been mentioned once here before.

I don't care if there have been 100 other posters who have ragged on MINIs that now have you on your toes ... do NOT assume every new poster with a low post count is in the same boat ... maybe you should stop being policeman of this site and find a hobby, unless MINI is paying you to censor any and all potential negative issues wrt MINI.

I would appreciate it if you would stop reacting to my posts trying to justify a position that is not necessary and start being proactive by ignoring what I post.

 

There has been a lot of effort to escalate an infrequent sound into a frightening defect. There have been people campaigning under one or more identities to spread bad mojo. It was very irritating and divisive to the community when it was going on, and there is every reason to expect it may start up again at any moment. Sorry you are catching bad vibes from that, but you can thank the individuals that choose to brew up the original storm.

 

No doubt, but it's better to just ignore them if you think they're trolls. Insults or accusations create a hostile forum and further the goal of the real trolls.

 

Pffft. Anytime I see someone making a statement like, "....sure will be glad when they fix all of the R56 problems...." either in kind or quoted and I see they do not own an R56, I just smirk at thier overall ignorance and move along.

No sense in trying to convince people who are looking for something negative to hang onto, as it pertains to the R56.

If we all just ignored them, they would go away.

 

Let's see.. the two largest MINI sites on the planet - NAM and MINI2 - mention piston slap 3 times. Twice by Dneal and once in passing during an early R56 review by RolandGTT -

He wasn't concerned about it.

Those on MINI2 who have the noise are convincedit is due to timing chain tension.

I'm through arguing about. Keep running around like chicken little crying the sky is falling if you want. Only one person seems to have concern that is piston slap (and the one who listened to you).

 

Hmmmm, all I've heard from my engine is a pleasant purr...and a little growl when I get on the gas!!!

 

Nobody is running around like chicken little, and the only crying here is yours. "Boo Hoo... don't say anything bad about the R56.. Boo Hoo"

There's lots of threads on various noises. Transmission knocking, 2nd gear squeals, roof, tweeters, etc... Are they all crying that the sky is falling too? Would you have them stay quiet until they get a firm diagnosis and fix?

I saw many reports of "abnormal" noises on mini2. I saw various posts of engine noises here (search for more than piston slap). The noise I heard in the video sounded like piston slap.

I have not said that the engines do in fact slap. I have not implied there's some overwhelming problem. RolandGTT (a tuner) noticed it as well. It would be pretty hard to tell if it is in fact a characteristic of the engine, or a fault, without "polling" other owners.

First wild accusations of trolls, now making a mountain out of a molehill over something I didn't even say. If anybody can take their foot out of their mouth, it's you.

 

So here's a question...I've driven a lot of different R56 Coopers and heard nothing out of the ordinary. Are these reported noises model-specific?

 

Wild?


You didn't even say?

/unsubscribe to this madness

 

The injector ticking is S specific, and not a problem. The cold start noise seem to be also S specific. There are a couple of instances on mini2 that are extreme, and obviously a problem with that particular car (one guy owns 2 R56 MCS's, with only one of them making undiagnosed-and-therefore-non-existent-noises-lest-one-be-afraid-of-buying-an-R56 MCS).

In spite of being called a chicken little, the noises appear to be inherent in the engine's design (like I've said here and in other threads), and go away as the engine warms.

 

Nice job taking quotes out of context. Why not link the threads so people can read what I did post, in it's context. You'll hardly find a chicken little crying about a defective, piston-slapping engine design. You'll find that the posts were in April, and used terms like (which you quoted, but ignored the meaning of) "seems that", "I think", "If", "I'm not sure" (that last one was followed by "if it's timing chain slap"), etc...

Better late than never I guess. Now the rest of us can have a madness free thread.

 

MotorMouth, as appropriate a name as you could choose, put down your baton and go walk a dog or something ... you are far too defensive and retaliatory. Even if some have trolled, why do feel a need to "fight back"? You've said what you said, which really doesn't make me feel at all welcome, and still (after being told to back off) continue to try and make a case for yourself when you are a hair-trigger, presumptive, borderline lunatic.

There's been enough info I've read all over the 'Net that has me wondering whether there is an issue with cold starts, and I will ask and discuss with others who are willing to admit that there may be an issue. Feel free to stay out of any future discussions of this matter .. I try and stay away from certain people in society and would prefer to not have to defend my few posts and curious mind.

Buh-bye.

 

Bumpety Bump! I have a new 2007 MCS built the first week of October, and it too has the ticking noise. I was just searching to see if this was normal and found this thread. I really like this forum... answers every question I've ever had about my new car! Thanks NAM community.

 

Mine was built in July and ticks like a clock! I love it. It almost sounds like a little diesel engine under the hood!