Car is a 2008 R56S N14 6MT. I bought it used with 55k miles almost 3 years ago, and it's currently rounding third base on 100k miles. I have called my local dealership and MINI USA to see if it has open recalls or service bulletins out on the timing chain, and they both say "No, it does not. This car is not affected by the timing chain issues that we are aware of."

But, intermittently, at idle, there is this rattle. This awful, agonizing rattle from the bowels of the engine bay. It does not happen all the time, and only happens at idle. And I need to know if my engine is about to explode. I would bring it to the dealership to diagnose if it were consistently replicable, but I don't want to shell out $150 just to have them say, "eh, sorry, we can't hear anything."

Link below to video. I opened the hood after the first 7 seconds, and you can hear the rattle below all of the other fun noises this engine makes. Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

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Yeah sounds normal to me, my MCS sounds very similar at cold startup. Most don't realize that these Mini's aren't the quietest engines, most of the noises I think the OP is referring to is the ticking of the injectors and the high fuel pressure of these direct injection engines. These engines have two fuel pumps, a low pressure in the tank and a HPFP right before the fuel rail.

If the OP actually heard the death rattle I think it would scare the crap out of him as it did me when I first heard it! You would be absolutely certain something is seriously wrong.

 

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Thanks for the responses guys. I'm relieved to hear that it's not the sound of my engine's impending doom. I find it very odd that a modern engine has a sound like a spray paint rattle can as a part of its normal operation. I guess you could say it gives the car character, right, and that's what these Minis are all about. It ain't boring, that's for sure.

 

Thanks for posting this. I recently bought a '10 Mini S and had the exact same fear. Now if I can find out what the random metallic ticking noise is, I'd be good.

 

My 05S makes this sound for a minute or so when cold, in neutral with clutch disengaged, but goes away when I push the clutch in. My autocross guys think it's a clutch sound, but it's not slipping in any way. It goes away after I drive a couple blocks. Hmmmm?

 

This is exactly what I'm talking about. It's been hit or miss with the sound and like the OP said, I'd hate to bring this into the shop only for them not to be able to replicate it.

 

Tuesday, it sounds like what you're describing is the high fuel pressure, which is apparently a normal sound, like some of the other guys in this thread suggested.

Mine comes and goes, only happens when idling, I think it's more pronounced when it's cold outside, and is not affected by whether or not my clutch is engaged.

Your 2010 has the N14 engine, which is known for timing chain issues. If you're concerned about it, you could call MINI USA (866-ASK-MINI (866-275-6464)) to see if there are any TSBs or recalls out on your car relating to the timing chain. But, if you're talking about the rattle-can sound that you can hear in my video, it seems you don't have to worry about it.

PianoMan, unfortunately I can't help you because I don't know much about R53s. You may have better luck searching or posting in the 1st Gen forums.

 

That's OK. One of my autocross guys is a MINI guy and agreed with the other motor heads who heard the sound. They said live with it until the clutch starts to slip. They're spendy

 

The timing chain noise is unmistakable and always (louder in cold weather) comes from the passenger side directly above where the timing chain is located, because the plastic guide is just underneath the valve cover. I noticed in colder weather these engines are much more noisy than in warmer Summer weather, in the summer months on a cold startup I noticed these noises are short lived lasting just 1-2 seconds, minutes in cold weather. The noises would be less pronounced if we had metal valve covers as this would better reflect those valve-train noises back into the engine rather than up and out the top.