TISs must be given to the NHTSA by law. Titles are posted on the web site for all to see, and copies can be obtained for the cost of copying and mailing. At least that's how it's supposed to be. I found one that wasn't there, and the NHTSA was surprised, but nothing came of it when I followed up.

Anyway, these documents are not controlled by the manufacturer, and should be available for all to see. But like I said before, this isn't always the case.

Matt

 

The TIS I was referring to is an acronym for MINIUSA's web-based data sharing system (minitis.net). I'm not familiar with the TIS (proper noun) that has to be given to the NHTSA, but that's a separate thing.

The system "minitis.net" will only accept log-in's from authorized MINI employees.

 

I'm taking my 09 JCW into the dealer tomorrow for service. Hopefully they don't give me crap about it since it's no longer cold and the rattle isn't nearly as pronounced as in the winter months...

 

I just got a call back from my dealer saying my '08 MCS is done. I should know in a couple of hours if everything runs well, but I wont have a chance to confirm the fix until the weekend when I duplicate my .

I was really pleased that they were willing to tackle the problem without necessarily duplicating the symptoms.

I went in well prepared. I'd email and phoned ahead of time and went in with copies of my messages (which listed several major sites, including NAM) discussing the problem. I'd also provided links and hardcopy of the SIM1210207 service bulliten.

If people want, I can post the message that I sent to my dealer.

 

I took my '09 Clubster in yesterday to have the tensioner replaced and a couple of small dings taken out when my side scuttle lite came out on our trip to Rushmore. They took care of the dings, but when it came time to fix the tensioner they said my car was new enough that it was outside the range of cars affected by the latest fix. They know that I've complained about the noise before, but they said they had to hear it to go any further, so I suggested they park it nose down overnight and see what happens.......

The next morning.....................nothing! No noise, no rattle.........

But - good news of a sort - later on in the day it did it!

So they now have a call in to MINI Tech to see what to do next, as of this time I haven't heard back from them, but they gave me a loaner so I'll just wait for a call tomorrow......

Further info as it happens.........

 

Yeah, I plan to videotape turning on my car tomorrow in hopes it'll rattle. Of course, it won't. :P

 

Like I said, if they don't hear it, the best they'll do is replace your tensioner with the newest part even if it is below the 68mm lengh. If it is above, they'll replace all those other parts too.

 

Yeah, it's been in for a little over an hour and the SA just said it was "good to go". I assume that means they just did the first fix, not the one that replaces everything. I guess I'll take it and be parking nose down for the next few days to try and get it to chatter again. If not I'm sure it'll come up once fall comes again.

 

Probably, replacing everything would have take them much longer. The newer tensioner will hopefully solve your problems.

 

What range of cars wont be rattleboxes anyway?

 

So, today they changed my chain tensioner!

They called MINI who said my car was outside the range of cars that had the bad tensioner, but after keeping the car overnight they actually got it to make the noise themselves, and that was enough I guess to let them go ahead.

When they got it out they measured it at 66.5mm, and noted that the spring was weak..........very weak!

The invoice says SIB 11-02-07, I thought we were saying SIM in the posts above?

Anywho, we'll see if this fixes it............

 

My MCS is going in Monday for it's annual service. I plan to tell them about the cold start chatter that I've experienced. Hopefully they will take care of it although the warm/hot weather has caused the problem much less noticable.

 

Yes, Technical Service Bulletin SI M 11 02 07 has been issued. Somewhere around here is a link to a PDF copy of it. Or else PM me and I'll send you a copy.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by prb44t
Anyone have any updates on the cause? It just happened to me for the first time this morning (17K miles). It sounded awful.

Are there any TSBs on the issue?
***********************
Yes, Technical Service Bulletin SI M 11 02 07 has been issued. Somewhere around here is a link to a PDF copy of it. Or else PM me and I'll send you a copy.
***********************

My car also started the morning "Death Rattle" at 17,000 miles, about a year ago. So far after 5 weeks with the complete replacement of parts, no rattle on any start, even significant nose-down attitudes. Hoping it stays that way!

 

Happy for all of you! My own build date was 2/13/09 so it's possible at some point the death rattle may pay my little PW MCS a visit. We'll see.

 

Does anyone have an idea of how long it took to do the fix? We're either heading to Denver so Schomp can work on Nigel for 2 full days (if they can do the fix in that time, plus do the big maintenance) or shipping it to Murray so they can take their time with it....
So if anyone can give me an idea of how long it took their local dealership to diagnose and fix the problem, it'd be super helpful. Thanks!

 

First, the dealership needs to hear the start-up "death rattle", although that seems to be relaxing a bit with some dealers. You may have to leave the car overnight to get an ambient temperature "cold" start with chain rattle. If they hear it (or they take your word for it), they will follow the procedures in SIM 11-02-07, which requires a bit of poking around the engine bay to eliminate other possible noise sources. Installing the new tensioner piston isn't much more complicated than replacing a spark plug. Measuring the accumulated timing chain, tensioner, and guide rail wear is next. If within limits, you only get the new tensioner piston, and you're on your way. +/- an hour shop time.

If the chain deflection test exceeds the limit, the data is sent to the regional BMW engineers, who then authorize the "full monty" - lots of new timing chain components. The authorization may take a day or two, and the parts swap-out takes a full shop day - if the parts kit is on hand. It took about a week for the PDX dealer to complete the "full monty" repair on my '07 MCS from drop-off to pick-up.

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I wanted to know.

 

If this is the case, and this is the root cause, does it not make sense for all of us (even those those that have not yet experienced the noise) to be proactive and just get this replaced, with or without warranty? If we wait beyond warranty, then start experiencing the dreaded noise, resulting in extensive engine damage and requiring the "full replacement", I'm sure the costs would be huge...

Any idea how much this actually costs? Is the part expensive?

 

Someone on this forum several pages back said he had an independant shop replace the tensioner, and paid about $20 for the part, which is about the size of a spark plug. The part is accessed after removing the valve cover.

I have two '07 MCS. Mine rattled like a bag of loose spanners until I had the "full monty" repair done last month. My spouse's car purrs like a Honda at 19,000 miles with no chain rattle ever. I've discussed exactly what you're proposing with our dealership in regards to my wife's car. They recommend waiting until the warranty is almost up, then on my own dime installing the new tensioner piston and also having the chain deflection test done. About an hour's shop time for labor. If it's out of limits - warranty time!

 

I dont think its an official recall but it was just done and my mini is quiet finally

this is what they did exactly

PERFORMED SIB # 11 02 07
there is a puma case # ( dont know what that is )

but they replaced timing chain and associated parts
parts list is as follows

1 chain tensioner
1 gasket ring
1 timing chain
1 guide rail
3 bearing bolts
1 slide rail
1 sprocket
1 more tensioner

8.70 hours no more rattels and ticks runs quiet like it should

 

Great to hear and thanks for posting. I'm going to need to take mine in for this as well but the dealer wants to hear the noise first. Trying to duplicate is always a lot of fun.

 

when i had the problem, it made the noise during accel around 2200 rpm to about 3600 rpm then it would stop, never during idle only during actual driving, the torque of the motor i guess would bounce the chain off the covers thus the noise. Also if your chain is a certain spec they wont replace, you will only get the tensioner, FYI !!! best of luck

 

This sounds like the way to go.....thanks for the info....

 

My wife and I are planning on purchasing a new Cooper S later this year, late summer, early fall. Should we be concerned?!? or has/will MINI (BMW) solved the "death rattle" issue on new (2010) models?

... we almost bought a MCS a few years back but where scared off by this issue,... we're really surprised the problem persists!!

Hoping to be new Mini owners,
Frank & Lori