I haven't heard anything about this lately. Hopefully that means that it has been rectified. The ECU tweak did it? Anybody got any intel on this? Can I assume that cars being built today and the last few months are OK?

 

it's a mechanical problem. software won't fix it, IMO.

 

i have had my mini in 2 times since i have notified them that its a problem, it still clacks horribly because the dealership says its "normal" i do not see my mini dealership making any steps to repair/replace the parts that were manufactured wrong....its French what do you expect? LOL

 

I have an 09 JCW and my dealer said that if it clacks when it starts on a cold day that that's normal.

 

Cold weather will be starting my area real soon now, so I'll let you know. In fact you might hear my primal yell across the nation when it happens.

 

09 JCW Two times, about 1500 & 3200 miles. Moved out of shop to wash, when done put back in shop, first time was about one hour later the second time about two hours when started and had rattle. never on first start, noise was on third start, but first two times motor only ran long enought to get around shop. Both times were after wash, third start, no warm-up. Next time I will let motor get warm, after wash.

 

Calif. temps were in the high 70

 

I think the amount of posts have calmed down because the majority of the issues were correlated with cold temperatures (not all, but the vast majority...), so that's why you probably don't hear about it much anymore.

Just wait till the temps start dropping in the next few months though....I'm thinkin the problem will surface again on here.

 

My 08 MCS did it yesterday morning for the first time @ 4800 miles.
Called the service dept. and they said Mini knows about the problem and is working hard to fix it. Probably a new design timing chain tensioner, said Mini will probably end up recalling all affected cars.
In the mean time, they said to log the times it happens and any unusual things done prior to the incident- in my case the only thing "different" was short starting the engine (starting only long enough to move from driveway into garage).
Sounds like Rassmussen Mini knows all about it and when it happens often enough that they will be able to hear it, they will do something (like replaced current tensioner). Hopefully Mini will have this fixed soon!
Pint

 

I emailed MINI USA today...

Me to them:

"I wonder if you would be so good as to look at the following links, and offer some comments on them:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/07/...al-fix-coming/
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=chatter
http://www.r56mcs.com/

What can you tell me about the fix which Motoringfile suggests is forthcoming?"

Their reply to me:

"I took a look at the links you provided, and unfortunately, they are not endorsed by MINI USA. Therefore, I can not comment on them. However, as previously mentioned, I would suggest staying in touch with your motoring advisor or the service manager. As soon as technical information has been made available, they are the first to know."

So, in other words, they aren't willing to comment on it right now. I guess it was naive of me to think they would commit themselves in writing, but I live in hope that they really will fix this soon, because I'm reluctant to place my MCS order until something fairly official happens. Call me a coward, but it's just too much money to part with while this uncertainty is still there.

 

My 07 started doing it around 2500 miles. My current 08 still hasn't done it, I only have about 1200 miles. If I drive it from my parking stall to the washing area about 200 feet away and then when I restart, it'll make a dry clanking sound but i think that's just because after the previous start the engine didn't get completely warmed up and the oil didn't fully circulate. That sound is not the same cold start clanking everyone is talking about, that sound is very unique, you'll know when you hear it.

 

Colder weather will surely get the threads moving again with this issue. I was thinking of moving up to the new JCW, but this issue has stopped me cold in my tracks. NO FIXY - NO SPEND MORE $$$ ON ANOTHER MINI.

 

What car are you going to move on to when the warranty is about to expire?

 

YES I know exactly what you mean. Mine did it twice this summer. Once when I started it to move the car, shut it off, then started it again a minute later to move it back - horrible sound. Turned it off again. Then it was fine. Did it again when I changed the oil, I had left the engine short about 1/2 L and sounded awefull when I first started it. Shut down, topped it up to the mark and it was fine. It seems like the oil pump is getting no oil to circulate, but then why doesn't the oil light come on?

 

Has anyone seen this problem cause any other issue than a noise?

 

When I emailed a local MA about this, he said:

"It seems as though in every case I read that the "noise" was nothing more than that, a noise. It never led to the failure of either the engine or the turbo so to say there is a problem with the car (unless it causes engine failure) is a non-issue."

Hmmm.... even if it's just a noise, it's quite disturbing nonetheless. It may take time before any serious damage accrues from whatever is behind the noise.

 

It's the long term effects that are worrisome.

Unfortunately, we won't know what those are for awhile, because the cars are so new.

 

Wow, that's complete BS and doesn't take long term reliability into consideration as Bruce states. In any case for Bruce and anyone else concerned about this, the most important thing to do is document it and report it to your dealer when it happens. The more people that bring it to light the better, plus you're covering your own rear come warranty time (if necessary).

 

I don't think anything has changed, so you'll probably see a slew of complaints from the 2008s start popping up. For mine the stalling issue was mostly fixed with an early winter software update. It still stalled on me twice when it sat out in temperatures in the teens. The noises are there on just some moderately cool days, but get much worse as the temperatures get colder. I don't think they can ever fix the noise, lets just hope its not as bad for the engine as it sounds.

 

My 2007 MCS first made the startup clatter in the summer of 2007. The clatter recurred several times in all seasons, conditions documented in other NAM threads.

In June 2008 Classic MINI installed rear fog lamps and new software. Since then I have not heard the startup clatter. Three months without the noise -- this has not happened before.

Mere coincidence? Of course, I don't know. And MINI doesn't share.

 

Wow. Scary stuff. Kinda like an uncertain or vague diagnosis. "...Sounds like you have X...., but we'll have to run more tests to find out..." My MINI adventures will remain in the configurator until I hear otherwise regarding this and other initial quality issues. Not good.

 

I've had my 2009 MCS-a for eight days as of yesterday (276 miles). When I started it yesterday, I and my wife both heard the "clattering" engine noise, a lot like a diesel.

I let it idle for 30-40 seconds, then drove off slowly. The noise continued, so I pulled over after 200 feet or so and turned off the engine. When I restarted it, the noise was gone.

This certainly wasn't carbon buildup as has been suggested (it was filled at the dealer with Shell 93 octane and is still on the first tank). I've noted the details and will report it to dealer when I'm next there.

Thank goodness I'd read about this on this forum, othewise I've have really freaked out. As it is, I know there's no point in doing anything but getting it formally documented and then babying the engine if and when it happens again.

 

I have a 2008 Clubman S and it's occurred 2 times with me. One time was a fresh startup early in the morning. On this occasion, the MINI was parked on an incline - nose down (about 5 deg). I thought that oil might have drained away from the oil pump so I let it coast to a level area, let it sit for a while. When I cranked it again, the noise lasted for about 15 seconds and went away. Temperature was in the 70's. Mileage was around 1000

The second time was in my driveway in Phoenix, temps in the 90's. Had started the car to back out to wash it (sounds familiar). Washed the car and then moved out to the street to wash my other car. About 45 min later, cranked the MINI to have the noise happen. Lasted for about 30 seconds and went away. Mileage is 4500.

I plan on taking to the dealer to sign up for the "melting scoop", "engine chatter" and "sticking sunroof" wait lists in the next couple of weeks!

William

 

I'm in the Phoenix area as well. It has happened twice to me now. What I don't get, is that it only happens AFTER I wash the car. Clatter at startup, then goes away after about a minute. What about washing a car could cause this? Obviously it isn't the cold temps here in Phx, as it was 98 yesterday .

 

I have had the same experience after washing my 07 MCSm. Something else may be involved -- moving the car a very short distance and then shutting off the engine. Next start: clatter.

From another thread:

Originally Posted by corcoranwtnet
My 2009 MCS-a was eight days old yesterday (276) miles. My wife and I both noticed the clattering (diesel-like) when starting it. . . .

I had done that the previous day on two occasions, prior to the clatter yesterday (i.e., I had started the car, moved it forward or back 3-5 feet, then turned off the ignition. It was on no more than 30 seconds each time.)

Sounds very plausible that the noise could be associated with turning off the engine before it has had a chance to warm the oil, then turning it on again later.

Reply from Oldsbear:

Correlation here. Yesterday I moved my 07 MCSm 50 feet from where I was doing some home repairs, and I got the clatter next time I started. I hadn't heard it since June.

Now if we only knew what that meant . . .

MINI USA, would you please clue us in?