I just had the chain tensioner replaced in my 2009 mini S and I wondering how long should this take. It only took them a hour to do the yearly service and the tensioner replacement. Seems too short

 

That's about right if two guys did the two tasks together. They're getting lots of practice swapping out that tensioner piston, which is not difficult to do.

 

I had the cold start problem and my dealer fixed it in Apil based on SIM-11-02-07 . This problem seems to come and go for people without any real explanation from MINI. I'm not a mechanic, I'm an IT guy, so please excuse my dumb suggestion, but is there any chance this is related to (lack of) various updates for the engine? I know that when you get the JCW Stage 1 kit there's a whole bunch of updates that have to be patched prior to the main ECU tune. I'm wondering if the cars experiencing the problem could be missing a specific patch/update.

I'm curious how many JCWs or Stage 1 owners there are out there with the cold-start problem? Or for that matter any that might have a 3rd party tune. I know it doesnt seem possible but just throwing this out there as a suggestion. Maybe somebody who IS highly mechanical and explain why it's not software.

 

Both of my cold start knocks came after my JCW tune kit was installed, so I dont think it's an update issue.

 

Well I guess that answers that.

 

2007 Cooper S, 6-Speed auto
Build Date: 2007
Miles: 30,000+
Duration: About 1 minute-15 mins until it lastest the entrie time
Frequency: during the last 3 months about everytime I turned the car on when it was cold outside
RPM range: -
Ambient Temp: 30F-50F
Oil: MINI-Branded 5w-30

I have brought my car in twice, the first time they told me bad gas, when I use Chevron 91. So I changed to Shell 91 and went to only 1 station. Then about 2 weeks it was so bad that the car stalled on me. When I tried the car about 3 days later, it would not start, it now siting in the shop for 7 days and they still cannot get it to start. They told me it was the timing chain that went bad. But right now, they have no idea..... I want my mini back and working like it did 4 months ago......:(

 

1/8/2010-same problem-super cold temps here in St. Louis. This is my first winter with my Mini. Dealership gave the same response-they are working on it. I've never had to let a car warm up before driving.

 

Just wanted to add my piece of data to this board. My MCS is a 12/3/08 build. It had the death rattle virtually from new, partly because it was delivered in the winter with cold weather. I just finally took it in for the timing chain and tensioner replacement. I actually wanted to wait even longer to ensure that any redesign was actually going to fix the problem. But first a bit of history. The car now has 12,000 miles and has been superb, except for the death rattle. It rattled typically only in this situation: I started the car to pull it out of the garage, washed the car (or whatever) and then restarted it and put it back in. The next morning, at virtually any temperature, I would get the death rattle. It seems the brief operation to move the car drained the oil from the tensioner such that when started later it took longer to pump up the tensioner and allowed the chain to rattle and shake. Occasionally I would get the rattle on a normal morning start-up if the temperature was quite cold. It typically lasted 1-2 minutes before it pumped up. So now I am tired of this and decided to have it fixed. Baron Mini in KC was excellent. They didn't challenge that it was happening and didn't insist on hearing it themselves. I presume they have had so many of these that they know what the deal is. They ordered parts, had a loaner for me and did the job in about 6 hours. I spoke to the Tech who worked on the car and he said he had converted many of them already. His comment was that virtually every S made has had this done already. He also said that the factory claimed the faulty parts were no longer used after 11/31 /08. My car was built on 12/3 and they must have had a few left-over old tensioners. He showed me the old tensioner, chain sprocket and chain guides he removed. The tensioner is a telescoping cylinder within a cylinder about 1" in diameter and 3-4" long. The Tech said, while pushing the two ends together, it did not have a strong enough spring. He claimed the new part has a stronger spring in it that one cannot push in by hand. Anyway, the new parts have resolved the problem and no more death rattles even with a short start-up and in frigid weather. The stronger spring in the tensioner does the trick until the oil pumps up. I have no doubt that it is now fixed, but if there are any further issues I'll report in.

 

Model: 2009 R57 S Auto
Build Date: May 2009
Miles: 6100
Duration: 15 seconds
Frequency: (times per month/week): once after sitting 10 days
RPM range: idle-2500 rpm
Ambient Temp: 40-45F in garage
Oil: OEM original oil

Any other relevant information: car has only done it once after sitting ten days. Has not done it again with car being started every other day.

 

Posted in the other cold start forum too.

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!

 

NEW FIX!!!!

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

 

Model: 2009 R57 S Auto
Build Date: November 2008
Miles: 6100
Duration: 60 seconds +
Frequency: (times per month/week): 3 times in Dec-Jan
RPM range: idle-2500 rpm
Ambient Temp: 25+F
Oil: OEM original oil

My death rattle isn't as bad as some I've heard on You Tube but it is still an annoying sound. The car is not on an incline but short trips may be a factor. I'll wait until the new fix is out for a while before taking it in the dealer.

 

I used to get the rattle every other day, but lately i've been letting the car sit before shutting down and after start up. I guess you can say i've been letting it warm up and cool down a little easier. I havent had a rattle in weeks so far.

 

Can we get a count of users on the forum that are having this issue?

Please just add your First name,year model and +1 after it in response if you are having this problem. Keep any tech info on the other forum posts.

Im currious about a head count.

Example

John 2008 cooper S
+1

Total Registered Users with Issues: 15

01 Hans, 2008 Cooper S
02 Rob 2009 JCW
03 Dwight 2008 MCS
04 bigsmittyJAS 2009 MCS
05 Martin 2007 MCS
06 Anne 2009 MCS
07 Dave 2009 MCSa
08 Chris 2007 mcs
09 Jamie 09 MCS
10 Bob '07 MCS
11 Adam '09 MCS
12 John '08 MCSa
13 John '08 MCS
14 Alex 2007 MCS
15 Dave 2009 Clubman S

 

Hans, 2008 Cooper S
+1

 

Yes.

But anyways,
Rob 2009 JCW
+1

 

Dwight
'08 MCS
+1 (@ 20K)

 

I agree. There's more going on here than just chain and tensioner, one could also include valve lash from aereated HLAs, the vacuum pump, etc etc.

 

+1
2009 MCS
Definitely more than the chain tensioner. I have the privelege of having the chain rattle (now fixed...for now) and intermittent (when it is really cold out) hammering from either the HLAs or the vacuum pump. I have my doubts that the latter issue will ever be fixed.

 

Martin
+1
2007 MCS

 

Anne +1 2009 MCS

 

Thank you all for posting on this - the first time it happened I had a good idea of what was happening and took immediate and appropriate action.

Many thanks!

 

Dave '09 MCSa +1

 

Chris 2007 mcs +1

 

Jamie 09 MCS +1