Inside the car. Watch the videos on motoring file.

Edit: It's important to note that at this point there is nothing definitive pointing to whether or not any damage long or short term is happening to the engine.

 

IMO, they still don't know the problem as different things are being replaced. Maybe the noise went away for a while with the fuel pump change, maybe it really is the issue, but we won't know for sure for a while.

You will most definitely hear it from the inside. You might have to turn the radio off though if you listen to it particularly loud.

 

I really don’t think the fuel pump is related to the cold start rattles. The fuel pump is an issue of its own. It will cause a rattling sound as the engine is stalling out due to fuel starvation. I've experienced this also when its cold out.

However, the cold start rattle is a much different noise. The engine is idling in the normal range, however when you reach 1500-2000 rpm, sometimes lower for others, does the clattering, "diesel like" sound make its appearance.

 

I've noticed a few posts that have said that when they shut it down while it's making the noise, then immediately start it back up, then noise goes away. Is that consistent with everyone that's having the noise?

If that is consistent (even if not), I would think there's possibly a software/sensor issue here. Somehow the software/sensor corrects or resets itself on the restart.

If it's oil viscosity, or the mechnical design was flawed, I would think the noise would continue on the restart....

Just a thought. This whole thing is really scaring me. I have 7k on my 07 MCS and have not yet heard the noise from h-e double hockey sticks!

 

Thanks. We have been in the 20s hear the last couple of nights and it hasn't sounded any difference inside the cabin with no radio.

 

When it happened I felt something was wrong from the moment it was cranking. Maybe the camshaft has room to slip and the timing gets messed up momentarily.

 

Nope... not here.

The only thing that made the noise go away for me was oil circulation... ie. time. Shutting down and restarting had no effect.

It seems that this thread has become the "all engine rattles" thread now hosting complaints of clutches/transmissions/throw out bearings/fueling issues/ECU issues and everything else under the sun that makes the engine do somthing other than as designed.

Not directed at anyone in particular, or meant to be snotty or malicious in any way... but I would suggest those who question what we're talking about here please go watch the videos provided in this thread. if that's the problem you are experiencing... post. If you've got somthing different going on... start a new thread. This one is getting a little conveluded and therefore becoming irrelevant IMO.

 

engine noise when cold
« on: 24 January 2008, 12:59:35 PM »
Quote
hi everyone,

would like to gather some info from fellow gt150 owners regarding noisy engine when cold. the problem i have is mainly in a scenario as follows: drive car out of garage ,running for 15 seconds then switch off, after a few hours put car bak in garage running for about another 15 seconds. now the next morning when i start up it sounds like a tractor especially when you take the revs up to about 1500 rpm.

That's soooooo like what I did before it happened.
I pulled the car out of the garage ..about 8 yards. Clean the car.
start the engine and drive it back in. I let the car sit overnight. Started the engine and the terrible noise happened. At around 2000 rpm the noise is the worst and I was afraid to take it above it.

 

I did listen to the video and mine did sound the same. I also did the start, shut down and start again, and it was hit and miss more miss as it dragged on. My rpms would range from 500-2000 and would go up and down.

I think you said it above...you've experience this when it's cold out as well? That's still not normal is it?

Regardless, the starts since the fuel pump replacement is normal...no clattering, stuttering, etc.,.

 

the rpm does not fluctuate with the clattering engines.

 

It seems like sbutler20 might have actually had an issue with his fuel pump that was causing the engine rattling for him. Maybe the noise was very similar to the cold start, but the rpms bouncing around makes me feel that it wasn't the same cold start issue.

 

the Prince is a direct injection motor, with very high fuel pressure. I'm not surprised that problems with fuel pressure would make top end noises. But to be clear, the top end noises are the symptom, and that more than one thing can make noise on the top of a direct inject, variable valve timed, overhead cam engine. It's pretty obvious to me that while the symptom may sound very similar, the root cause of the oil related and the fuel pressure related problems are very, very different. Keep this in mind, as I'm sure that those with oil problems wouldn't be helped by replacing the fuel pump.

Matt

 

What are other cars that I should consider buying? How are Subaru Imprezas? BTW, WRX is too expensive for me.

 

for a used Jag XK8. They can be had for less than the price of a used MCS! Not too good on gas mileage, but the curves of the body are to die for!

Matt

 

Or maybe, he had both issues at the same time? They are different issues though from what I can tell. I've had the rattling and I've also had the sputtering with varying RPM's; however, I don't remember there being the rattling with the sputtering. I have to admit though, I wasn't listening for it, although I'm pretty sure I would have heard it even when I was in a panic. Also the sputtering causes CEL while the rattling does not.

 

You must have a thing for British cars... I don't dig Aston Martin or Jaguar.
The Germans should not have trusted the French!

 

honda civic lx 4 door. boring as a rock but just as reliable.

 

sorry if this is a repost, but i saw this high quality video on motoringfile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRINvbMz3h8

 

Nothing is going to be as fun as the Mini and also get the great MPG but trust me I'm looking over my options also . Just dont want to lose my shirt on the cooper ,the non S looks good but I dont know if I want to give them any more of my money .

 

I have never had a AWD and I don't want to buy a Japanese car but I don't seem to have alot of options. I will have to go testdrive a Subaru if my MINI keeps giving me engine problems.

 

Subaru's have bad MPG .

 

Our other car is an 07 Subaru Impreza SE (last year of that body style but with a bunch of WRX stuff added). We think it's a great all round car. Not a MCS of course. But a lot cheaper, more space, 4WD etc. etc. After driving this, I can't figure out why people buy SUVs...

 

Lets carry on this conversation here ! https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...20#post2068620

 

Keep it MINI...just go for the MC (non S)

 

Let's keep it on disucussion for the Cold Start Clattering, Rattling problem.