Having recently bought an LCI 1.6 cooper its just started idling lumpy and making a ticking kind of sound, I know they do often have a tick sound but this sounds louder than other r56 mini engines ive heard in person,
it did have a P0015 code pop up but I cleared that and it didn't come back, I've just replaced the intake cam position sensor anyway but regardless of that it from the cabin the loud tick only at idle and completely gone when driving and even slightly above idle rpm, if its running and I've got the bonnet open it does sound quite rough so now Im concerned is this timing chain rattle? or problems with the vanos solenoids or something else

See video, the actual tick is louder in person and only heard at idle although still not all the time at idle
https://streamable.com/swpa4o
I've looked through the many threads about ticking but nothing matches what I'm hearing and I don't think its the more usual lifter tick
Any insight or advice is much appreciated thanks

 

How's your oil level, and what oil are you using?

 

Level is two thirds on the dipstick
last change was previous owner but it’s been done by a garage so I’d assume it’s the right grade

 

Listening to the video, it sounds pretty healthy to me. Quieter than my Mercedes, and about the same as my Mini... One thing that helped a similar sound on my Mercedes was running the European Spec synthetic oil. After a change from "regular synthetic", the valve noise just disappeared. AFAIK, Mini doesn't spec European Spec oil, but it might be a good opportunity to do an oil change to a quality, proper weight full synthetic, just in case any extra noise is due to a substandard oil change in the past...

 

And the engine code P0015 just popped up again so my new camshaft position sensor hasn’t sorted that
what else could cause that?
Or am o definitely looking at a stretched chain

 

The P0015 code could be MINI DTC 2D60 or 2D61. The 2D60 code means the exhaust camshaft is sticking, I.E. the camshaft is being commanded to a certain position, but the feedback signal from the camshaft sensor indicates the camshaft has not reached the commanded position within the specified time. Also, changing the intake camshaft position sensor for an exhaust camshaft position fault will not help. The 2D61 is similar to the 2D60 code but the stated text reads "position not reached". Both are closed loop control faults.

A quick, easy, and inexpensive way to troubleshoot this problem would be to swap the intake and exhaust camshaft VANOS solenoids; they are identical. See if the fault follows the solenoid, or if it stays with the camshaft. If the fault follows the solenoid (moves to the intake camshaft), change the solenoid; you're done. If it stays with the camshaft (still have the P0015 DTC), you need to check the power and ground circuits to the exhaust camshaft solenoid; I doubt this is the problem because you would also have a short to ground fault or short to power fault. Also, verify you have a good 5V DC reference signal to the exhaust camshaft sensor; you'll also need to verify the exhaust camshaft position sensor signal and ground circuits. If those are good, and the DME is still throwing the P0015 DTC, the only thing left would be a faulty exhaust camshaft sprocket (VANOS adjuster).

Timing chains don't stretch; they wear. How many miles on your engine? On my '07 Justa, I changed the timing chain at 125k miles, and measured 10 links under tension. The difference (pin-to-pin) between the new and old chains was .008" The bigger issue with MINI N series engine timing chains (from my experience) are the guides. I've never experienced a tensioner failure, but I've read a lot of posts here about tensioner failures.