Cold start issue, what's the status?
 

Ok, starting to get cold here in NY again, dipping below 50 and 40 now. Haven't had the dredded cold start noise in months, but the last few days, she's back.

Has there been a fix for this yet, or is still just smoke in mirror's type stuff?

I'm starting to get concerned this car/motor is not going to last, this sounds bad when it happends.

Funny that you mention it. Mine noise started last week again and I was going to post too. (Actually, it's not funny at all.)

I'm going in for service Nov. 12th and have an appointment to talk to the SA about the issue. Anyone else know anything I can use to seek a solution this time?

mines doing that too now, I'm not sure how serious this problem is, what should I do to be safe?

It's also back for me, especially below 40° or on humid days. :(

Checking out some of the other related threads, there is the hope that there is going to be a programing change (ECU flash?) coming in December. Has this been verified by anyone?

My sound has changed a bit this year(12K miles). The worst sound is right at start up for about 5-10 seconds. It is hard to describe in words but it is like a fast, loud drum roll of metal on deadened metal. After 5-10 seconds it reverts to the lower frequency metal tapping for another 30 secs to 2 mins.

After warm-up, Frodo runs and drives GREAT. I love my car and I want this to be a long and happy relationship.

So there is no official solution or fix from MINI?

I was hoping I was reading the title of this thread incorrectly. My wife has an '03 Cooper S that has had the "cold starting" problem since the first day we bought it. It has really decreased my confidence in the mechanical integrity of the car. We are finally sick of dealing with our '03's mechanical issues, and have decided to trade it in on an '09. I was hoping they had this figured out with the R56, but apparently 6 years isn't long enough to come up with an ECU program that properly accounts for ambient temperature / air density.

If you do a search, there are several threads dedicated to the R56 cold start chatter. It is completely unique to the Peugeot engine and altogether different from the early 1st Gen cold bloodedness associated with the ECU.

That stated, you are correct that the jury is still out as to whether the R56 problem is mechanical or electrical. MINI still seems to be grasping at straws by going down the chain tensioner path, which has clearly not solved the issue. The many well-documented cases of the chatter happening after abbreviated start-stops suggests it's in the ECU but MINI doesn't think so. Meanwhile, all of these R56 owners might actually be experiencing premature engine wear from the chatter issue without their knowledge, because it's likely that the outcome won't manifest itself until these engines get some more miles on them.

I, for one, refuse to even consider purchasing an R56 until a clear root cause for the cold start chatter is identified -- even if I have to wait for the post-R56 build.

While we're on a similar topic, I've heard that the black roofs have caused sun roof motors to systematically overheat. Has this issue been resolved in the R56?

You'll want to jump over and check out this thread...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=137737

...so as to keep this one on topic...:wink:

Just took Frodo in for his 1 year service. The dealership must have heard the noise this time. The solution (or from reading, the non-solution) is that they are ordering me a new tensioner. I guess time will tell. Only 20 more months on warrantee!

FWIW I have a new 09 MCSa and our mornings have fallen into the 20s here and there's no noise eminating from the engine as y've described. maybe a software update cured the problem.

sequence, it takes time to manifest. For some it didn't manifest until several thousand miles, for others it is a lot less.

Yes. It definitely seems to be a design flaw, and will likely be present in all R56 MCS and JCW models to a degree. Given the current focus of MINI/BMW on the cam chain tensioner as the source of the problem, it is possible that some MINIs don't exhibit the noise until the chain has stretched slightly, while others have this issue from day one. Between this forum and MINI2 there are members who have had their entire engine replaced only to have the sound return, which would be extremely unlikely unless this problem is very widespread. I'm sure we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg

wonderful. more quirkiness to look forward to.

My 06 sounds like a smooooooth machine at cold start. :cool:

As said earlier, I hope to have a LONG relationship with my MCS!

Wrong forum.

I'm glad you are enjoying your '06, though. :)

thanks, how helpful...:roll:

They'll probably fix it about the time they fix your nav system...

got it this morning with temperature drops. where is MINI on this issue, this is getting a bit saddening that they can't seem to provide anything on this and don't even seem to care.

Apparently the 1 series made a noise and with a new software update saw some turbo lag, and BMW treated it like there was nothing wrong too.

Sounds like BMW clubs had to get organized to get the complaint recognized, maybe that's what this will take also?

I saw in the "lawsuit" thread about this a poster discovered communication from Mini(?) that there would be a chain tensioner fix available to elibible Minis next month, not before. He didn't have the link. I'll try and find the post.
EDIT Thread #22 in "we can start a class action suit" say this:
Vehicles produced from 01.05.07 - A modified timing chain tensioner assembly will not be available untill approx December 08.The noise is not detrimental to the life or operation of the engine and is purely an acoustic issue. Please refer to PuMA Measure 10686850.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=130308&page=3

See post 57.

Your probably right. And that is not saying much about YOUR car now is it??

My mcs 07 build is now sounding like a freight train at cold start. just turned 20000 kms. If I let the car sit for more than 10 hours its a horrible experience listeninig to the engine at start up. Very noisy rattling,I'll be taking to dealer next week.