I have over 16k nd havent noticed any cold start noises

 

I have over 16k and havent noticed any cold start noises

 

So I am new to the Mini world but has anyone ever considered the fact that since the R56 is push button start that it might not be priming the injectors and all you are hearing is the engine trying to turn over with no fuel there and the pump trying to catch up. It sounds kinda like that might be it a lot of newer cars have the problem of need to have the injectors primed by turning the key to A/C for a few seconds before you start it up. Just a thought.

 

From what I've read of the symptoms, the rattle happens after the engine is running, not while the engine is cranking over before ignition. That would rule out empty injectors.

Also, the start button is a lot more than just a switch to the starter motor. You're actually telling the computer to start the car, and the computer is what energizes the starter. Besides, the car automatically goes into "A/C" (what I would call Accessory mode) as soon as the key fob is inserted into the car, and I always hear what might be a fuel pump working for a moment every time I unlock my MCS's doors.

The two best theories about the rattle seem to be 1. a slack or damaged cam shaft drive chain or, 2. deflated hydraulic valve lifters.

 

So my question then is. Is it just a noise? Or are MINIs falling off the road because of this problem? If its the 1st one who cares if it the second one well open it up and find out.

 

Your's is the million dollar question. Depending on who you talk to, the answer ranges from "nearly every MCS has this problem and they're all about to die because of it" to "there's no telling what's causing this problem, how to fix it, or what it's doing to the engine." I tend to be a skeptic and think the latter answer is more accurate, but I'm in the minority here.

 

Considering the R56 is only a couple years old, it's hard to know the long-term effects of this, if any. If it's just a noise (and this can be proven without a doubt) I'd be fine with it. But, it's certainly not normal, and that makes me uneasy about it.

 

Why are you uneasy if its not causing to worry about it. If not there is only one way to find out and thats open the motor and find out.