So I heard that noise that every Mini owner dreads. The timing chain/diesel knocking in my 07 MCS (45,000 mi.). Heard it once, went straight to the mechanic. He changed the oil, topped it off with Mobil one synthetic, and sent me on my way with a healthy sounding engine.

My dillema now is the timing chain wasn't checked. I heard the noise, the mechanic heard the noise, and the oil was topped off. I'm not sure exactly how bad the damage or wear to the chain is. I'm on the fence about having mechanic just change the tennsioner as a precaution, or just keep checking the oil and make sure the levels are good for the next 6 months to a year, and then selling the car. Sucks cuz Ive had the car for 8 months and this is my SIXTH time taking it to the mechanic. Love the car, hate the parts.

If i keep the oil from getting low, will it stop the timing chain from getting worse? If not, i think i start walking down that MS3 road. Sorry for the run-on sentences and thanks for the read guys and gals. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

Check the oil yourself and if it is low the noise will be louder, even if there is no excess slack in the chain, especially in the cold morning starts.

How was that for a run-on sentience

 

any video or recording of the noise? I have a ticking noise in my car coming from what seems to be the passenger side but I can't diagnose it

 

Thats a relief. For now i guess. So how do you know if the tensioner without having a mechanic check it or the engine crapping out? Ya... I've always been under the influence that commas make you sound more smarterer!

Sorry no video documentation. If you open up the hood and turn the car on, it soudned like a pitter patter thats little off from the cadence of the engine. Here's a youtube video, not the best quality. Fast forward to the last 20 seconds and you can hear it clearly. Mine was making the same sound.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...te=1&p=3699296

I guess if i plan on keeping the car for a while, i should get the old tensioner swapped out for peace of mind. No?

 

That link did not work and just circled back with a reply. Some amount of ticking is normal, clanking in not. Here is what my '09 R56 sounded like with a stretched chain, old tensioner, and cold morning.

For some reason my youtube link is pasted once into my post but showing up 3 different times...weird.

 

It's a good idea to check the tensioner bolt. It can get loose! I have said it before...turn off the radio once in a while and listen to your motor.

 

Day after oil topped off, drove 20 miles without incident, then check engine light, rough idle, but no noise. 5 more miles to get home, let the car sit for 3 hours, turn it on, and the noise is back.

Not sure if the idle is is from the tensioner, or if its the valve head cover, AGAIN. This is my nightmare

 

Does this sound really bad? Its going to the dealer this week for a possible coolant leak and I heard this today

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7Rg...it?usp=sharing

 

^^^ that sounds like rod knock. was it ever low on oil? rev'ed too high?

 

I hear a car that needs a new tensioner, chain, and guide rails.

And/or low on oil

 

A teacher at my daughters school has a justa with the same noise it sounded like rockers clacking to me when she went by, maybe she has the tensioner noise as well.

 

I find that if people do their oil service more frequently than factory-recommended intervals they often don't have to replace the chain assembly. An ounce of prevention...

 

The ticking is probably just the sound made from direct injection engine. We all have it. Sort of a soft constant clincking sound.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if it was ever low on oil, as my dad had it for 30k and is the kind of guy who takes it to the dealer when the light comes on. Hasn't been overreved. Didn't hear it this morning though

 

Sounds pretty similar. I dropped the car off on Saturday with very reputAble mini mechanic on Satuday, I'm sick of wondering what it is. Time to find out for sure one way or another. I should be the diagnosis in a few hours.

Who the hell regulates these car companies' business practices? Its complete BS that mini KNOWS if you run the car on low oil, you'll be replacing a $2,000 piece of the engine soon enough. And so they tell people that they can go 10-15,000 miles before the next oil change? Then the cars low on oil barely a month after an oil chAnge and I'm s$&@ out of luck. I may be a noob, But that just doesn't seem right

 

Well, MINI does suggest checking the oil level often, and yes, those intervals are quite wide...and MINI has closed the interval lately to what, 8k is it? Run ANY car low on oil, especially a turbo vehicle, you'll be in for hefty repairs. I come from turbo subaru land where journal bearing heads with four camshafts and turbo shred when you run low. hello new longblock and turbo. Every car has its quirks and points of issue. For the mini it happens to be the timing chain and tensoner/guide.

 

Any car that runs low on oil may see expensive repairs as a result. That's why every owner's manual for every car manufacturer tells owners to check the oil level on a regular basis that has nothing to do with the interval used for oil changes.

 

This times 1000.

 

Cars these days are basically computers with engines, seats, and wheels. Computers can do whatever they're programmed to do. The cars tells you when it's low on brakes, low on fuel, low on air pressure, but doesn't tell you when your so low on oil you can wreck the whole engine. For $25,000 id expect the computer to tell you when it's running even CLOSE to low on something as essential as oil. Especially when the company who makes the product knows of such a problem.

That said, there are things I should should have done differently. And will in the future. I just think for the price you pay for a car, the company who's name is on a product should take some of that they've made, and spend it making a better product. Love the car, not a fan of the maker

 

the kicker is the bmw 1-series has an oil level indicator in the oil pan and it reads out in the dash computer menu....

using circuit-break oil pressure switches(usually triggered at oil pressures of near zero, after damage has already been done) is so old technology.

 

98000 miles and still ticking...

 

UPDATE: Turns out the noise wasn't the timing chain or the tensioner. Actually, one of the guide rails had broken apart and was rattling around in the engine. Only took a few hours of labor. Since I was planning on having the replace the tensioner and didn't have to, the money I intended to spend went to a walnut blasting.

After a week long headache, $1000 spent and the cars runs better than the day I bought it. Couldn't be happier!!! Lesson learned... weekly oil checks from here on out. Seems pretty freakin ridiculous ot have to do that, but better safe than broke!

 

Just takes you back to before the 80's when it was recommended you check your oil on a weekly basis for all cars.

 

As I type this, my '08 R56 hardtop is at Mini getting its timing belt replaced, apparently due to stretching as a result of low oil levels over time. I am an oil-checker, but reading the stock dipstick on the Mini is next to impossible. I purchased a Cravenspeed stick, and it too is not the easiest to see (my fault: I should have checked oil levels every week or at every fill-up, though I didn't think that I had to do that in this day and age....thought that was an issue in cars up to the 90's). The dealer is doing the job for just under 2K, along with other line items that need attention.

As a person who ALWAYS brings their car in for scheduled service on-time, and does not scrimp on the recommended maintenance, I am finding it difficult to justify the expensive maintenance costs when the car keeps presenting me with large dollar repairs so soon. My car has 90,000 miles on the odometer, and along with the timing chain, I have had to replace the clutch at 85K (I do not ride it, pop it, or abuse it), the "must-have-Mini-program-the-battery" battery twice, the water pump, and other smaller but expensive items. Seems as though the car began coming apart around 80K miles, a phenomenon that I did not expect from such a pricey automobile.

I love the handling, but I really dislike the costly repairs and finicky nature of the car.

Thanks for listening..I needed to vent! Unfortunately, this will probably be my last Mini.

 

dhoosee, you are not alone. Many people fall in love with the car because it drives and looks great but even when maintained well they will often bite the hand that feeds them and it's a very hard bite, not just a light nibble. A potentially great vehicle has been let down by poor engineering and weaker execution. Imagine this car with a Honda engine under the hood. What a car it could be!