ok...from square one. with this noise what do i need to do with the dealer? people say they've taken bulletins etc. to make sure things were done. do i request a sepecific thing fixed? request a fix ref. number?

 

So I've been kicking the idea of a MSC for about a year and a half. I look at other cars, but always find myself coming back to the idea of a MCS. When I've done my test drives, they just feel "right" to me. And right now, a 2010 Mayfair MCS feels and looks right.

Unfortunately, I keep coming back to these forums and finding reason after reason as to why I wouldn't want to dump 33K on a car that although may be fun, has a history of issues.

I live in Virginia and this winter has been brutally cold, so this issue would seriously impact me. There are tons of information here and I was wondering if the overall feeling is that this issue is still going to impact the '10 models?

Between this and the carbon buildup issue, I have once again decided to put the breaks on placing an order. So yeah, I think waaaay too long when it comes to making a purchase.

 

I wanted to reserve my comments a I've had my car (Aug 2008 build, clubman S) in for the cold start rattle twice. The first time it could not be reproduced so nothing was done. The second time a couple of weeks ago, the chain tensioner was replaced under the SIM procedure.

I've had maybe 10 cold starts since that time and the noise has not recurred. Before I would consistently have the chatter problem, on probably 7 of 10 cold starts.

So, I'm much happier now, and my mini is too!

Don't let this issue keep you from buying one -

 

Thom - not to sway you one way or another but.... my car has two personalities.. today in Chicago it is a cold but reasonable 31 and no problems with the MINI just like it was 50 or 70 or 100 outside... but put that temp down in the single digits and everything changes...

My point - for Viriginia... you should be fine

 

How long did yours (and anyone elses here) procedure take???

I dropped mine off at 730am this morning and got a call its done at 230pm...

I know thats 7 hours, but just wanted to make sure they actually did it all... said they replaced the tensioner/ chain / ect..

 

Nope not trying to call anyone out, I just don't understand the link between the tensioner/chain and the HLA. Perhaps these are 2 distinct problems and not necessarily related. My car used to rattle now it hammers. I will admit that I am not an powertrain engineer, but to me they are 2 separate issues. Replacing the chain and tensioner did get rid of the "rattle" or "chatter", but I think the issue I am currently experiencing lies somewhere else, either the HLAs or vacuum pump. I think Mini knows its a problem and are not willing to spend the money to have it fixed. I did take it to the dealer and they were of course not able to replicate the problem (story of my life). I am going to video tape every time I start that thing up in the morning, just to prove to them that I'm not crazy if nothing else. I fear though that even if they were able to replicate it, the only action they'd take is to replace the chain/tensioner. Oh well, if I have to "live" with it, then so be it, but this will probably be my second and last Mini.

 

Well then It's prob time to repost the link to this thread at the Michigan MINI forum explaining turbo Prince engine HLAS. Best to read, at your risk, Tom's technical writeups in blue and his responses to other posters in black.


http://www.michiganmini.org/forum/in...p?topic=3115.0

Take some time and go thru the entire thread, Beleive me, you will feel smarter.

>EDIT< BigSmitty I noticed y're already on that forum, so this link is for those who have not read it, or need an education in valve train enginnering. Hey and we do have one thing in common: the total complete awesome-ness of CR/B

 

I bolded the response that yeah it sounds like yr HLAs, and that while the tensioner/chain issue may be seperate, they could be related issues within the same mechanical realm. After all, all that banging has to create mechanical stress on the entire valve train.

Tip for recording: do it inside the car, hvac and stereo off, glovebox door open. There's way too much ambient noise with the DI and everything else if you record outside. Besides, if you do it with a video camera, you can capture your odometer as well.

Then, take that and yr car, to your dealer and leave it for a week to have them reproduce the noise. They should be able to by parking it nose-down, or starting it, let it run for less than a minute, shut it off, and restart.

 

That is the same amount of time that same dealer took to do mine. You should be fine.

 

Just scheduled another service visit. Dropping it off tuesday night and they will listed on Wednesday.

 

Just posted on Motoringfile. Mini to try again!!!

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/...problem-again/

 

Just saw this! Very good news. Gonna call my SA and make sure he knows!

 

And just for S and G, here is another video of the noise in the morning. This is the under the hood view.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/willsisti/4276530323/

 

I have my doubts this will solve the problem. I think it's much deeper and more systemic than adding a couple links to the chain. We'll see, I guess.

 

So here's my problem:

Sent my car in, they said I was 1qt low in oil, topped it off, said that's why the car was noisy and sent me on my way. About 10 days went by, I have 2 oil spots in my driveway from my car (My car has NEVER leaked oil until now), and the clatter is back, but not as bad or as noisy as before, but there is some clatter. WTF?!?

Also, It leaked oil for a few days (that i noticed, at least) and hasn't leaked since.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/...problem-again/

 

Probably some knucklehead missed the fill cap and your spot was the residual. Never really heard of a car being noisy because it is low on oil (unless it is SIGNIFICANTLY low on oil). Mini dealerships must have a book of BS that they keep handy to placate people complaining about that noisy motor.

 

Cold Start "Hammer." How appropriate!

Also, MF is jumping to the conclusion that all's well with the 4th fix. Maybe they should insert "attempts to" between "MINI" and "solves."

 

I attempted to read this whole thread, but 60 pages defeated me. Is it true that if you're build date is after 03/09 then you should be safe from the cold start chatter issues? I have an 09 MCCS with a build date listed on the door sticker as 06/09, am I safe or still possibly screwed?

 

My reco is do not worry about it and do not look for problems. Enjoy the car and if yours is inflicted with the design issue, you will hear it and know what it is.

 

Good advice, but realistically, if Mini has had 4 failed opportunities to fix the problem on all pre-03/09 cars, what are the chances they got it right on the post 03/09 cars? I wouldn't worry about it though. All of these noises are just annoying, not a threat to your car. However, the best advice I think you can get is to have all of this stuff documented. If something doesn't sound right, bring it in and at least get it on a service record somewhere.

 

No, it is not true that 3/9 was "the fix". You will likely, eventually, also have issues with yours. BMW has just issues yet another "fix". This time a longer timing chain. Only time will tell if this fix is an improvement ....

Our 09 has a build date of May 2009 and it has just started doing it after sitting over a week.

 

Is it a raspy, rattly sound, or a hammer-on-metal pounding?

 

The relevent date is not when your car was assembled, but the date the engine was assembled.

 

Going to the dealer in about an hour. Already sent them the MotoringFile article and my videos. Wish me luck!