Thanks for the update. I guess that means if they're still tuning the fix that new models currently being built are still possibly affected by this glitch.

MINI's direction to replace so many parts seem like a shot gun to me. I guess with some 07 cars now slipping timing chains and needing major work or engine replacment the stakes have gotten higher to get this right. Here's hoping that it'll be just around the corner.

 

I'm waiting for that to happen since my dealer is 3 hours away. Mine is as bad as any when it happens but has almost quit since the weather warmed a little and I started parking nose uphill.

I wouldn't lie about the chatter just to get a new timing chain to replace my perfectly good timing chain.

 

What do you guys think the chances are that this latest fix will finally solve the problem? Any informed guesses will be welcomed.

 

So far it appears to have worked for the folks who have received this version over on the Mini2.com forum.

 

Any chance that they'll do a recall? If it's a design flaw, it's going to affect everyone sooner or later, right?

 

should i still assume that you have to PROVE to them that the car rattles before they replace all the parts you listed above?

 

That would be nice. That's what I'm waiting for. They'll recall the tailpipes for no reason but not a design flaw. Probably because the damage caused is internal and not visible.

 

Stick your leg in the engine compartment and burn your calf, they'll recall it then

 

So is the new tensioner part now being put into the engine for new production MINIs?

 

yes, all builds starting March 09.

 

If you go to the dealership, would they be able to pull up by your VIN or something whether a particular vehicle has the new tensioner part?

 

It may take a bit of digging by the service advisor, but yes. Bear in mind, the engine's assembly date will be earlier than your car's assembly date. There will be absolutely no doubt in your mind if you've got a defective timing chain tensioner - think of a bicycle chain being rapidly pulled across a metal pipe. Even folks with zero mechanical aptitude will notice it (like my wife).

 

I once had an '84 Audi Quattro and at start up the lifters made a lot of noise. I had close to 90K miles on it when I sold it. Never had an engine problem in seven years. My '07 Mini rattles a bit when it's cold (I live in Florida) but soon quiets down. I'm not concerned with it. If it breaks BMW will fix it.

 

So if my MINI is going into service next week (seems to be a sensor problem with the hatch and it thinks it is open), will MINI address the cold start issue or do you have to wait until it actually occurs with our vehicle?

 

This is pretty much the same as my experience.

I started searching the forums after having the cold start "diesel rattle" for the third time. I currently have approx 7K miles on my Oct delivery '09 MCS.
Every occurrence has been after I washed/detailed my MINI and moved it about 25 feet from the garage to the driveway.

This past Thursday I:

1. Detailed the interior in the garage (without starting it).
2. Drove it out of the garage into the driveway. Detailed the driver's Side
wheels. (driveway has a slight downward slope. MINI was with nose up.)
3. Started it and drove approx. 50' to turn around and back into the
driveway. Detailed the passenger side wheels. (MINI was nose down.)

I left it there for several hours until I needed to run an errand. When I started it I got the rattle. I let it run for about 30 sec, turned it off and restarted about 2 mins later and no rattle.

I detail my MINI often but I rarely have it nose down when working on it. I am curious if that has anything to do with the rattle. Other than washing, I never have any reason to move it a short distance and shut it off. I guess that is why I have only had this problem on detailing days. I would estimate that I have done this at least 20 times and only had the rattle on 3 occasions.

I am going to try and replicate it tomorrow.

 

I just had the timing chain tensioner service done on Friday.

My SA was well aware of the issues as the dealers were receiving the service bulletins about it.

Basically what he told me was that they measure the timing chain and if the chain is good, they just replace timing chain tensioner as they did with mine.

Fact or fiction who knows but it did seem to stop the chatter which was an everyday occurrence.

 

it came back this AM, but not as near as loud nor as long as the first time about 1500 miles ago. Still, it sounded like a diesel warming up. Temp 30 degrees, car sat unused and unstarted over 24 hours.

One thing tho: on sat, after washing and detailing I started the car (it'd cooled down after 3 hours) pulled it out, and reparked it, shut it off. But this time I backed in, where the car's nose sat lower than usual, in a little depression on the passenger side. Did not do the rev 3K-shut down procedure.... a much more subdued wham wham wham for about a minute. Once the motor heated up, gone. Logged as such and reported it to my SA.

It has to be something to do with the oil-on-demand delivery system and the valve lash adjusters in general.

Im not freaking out -- yet.

 

I haven't been able to replicate the rattle in my car, so if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a favor. The last time I had the rattle, I shut off the engine almost immediately, waited about 30 sec before restarting it. When I restarted it, there wasn't any noise whatsoever. Could you try my method and let us know how it turns out?

 

Has anyone else had the service done? I'm considering contacting my SA and having it done.

 

I will next week.

 

Just give them a call and have it done. Mine was going in anyways since I needed a few things done.

Been 4 days and no noise... time will tell.

 

Will do. Did not have a chance to try this yesterday. Will try later after the T-storms have passed.

 

MiniDave, yes these cars have hydraulic (valve) lash adjusters.

 

Mine is being replaced next week. Took it in for the rough idle/cold start. I had to leave it over night for them to identify since it was getting pretty bad.

We'll see. Also had my dash rattles worked on for the 5th time.

At least they'll give me a loaner car for the tensioner fix, say it will take about 1.5 days...so hopefully they are doing more than just the tensioner.

 

I got my car back from the dealer yesterday after having the newest tensior parts installed...

The car then proceeded to rattle right there in the dealers lot - I showed the SA but he was unsure of what they could do being that they just replaced the parts

<--- Beating head against the wall