Yup. That's the sound. Thanks. Until I get the new tensioner installed, I'll tell people it's a Diesel.

 

 

We just had to replace the entire timing chain, tensioner and a broken guide to fix the noise. But it's all done and working fine now.

 

Mark,

Had the problem as soon as I got my MCS (07/08 build). Full Monty fix at 1100 miles, done 3600 miles and no return of problem.

 

One thing to add to my post, have also driven several times in (slightly) sub-freezing weather, no noise.

 

Just an update...got a call from the Service Department today stating that they have to replace the timing chain now. In my last post, i said that a year ago they did the chain tensioner only. Supposedly, the timing chain replacement is a lot more work, but hopefully it fixes it.

I didn't realize the chain tensioner was something different from the timing chain.

 

Mark - Up to 33,000 currently.

 

Thanks everyone... you've confirmed what I was hoping.

That being, a true fix this time.

This timing chain tensioner issue drives me nuts. If I'm spending over 31K for a go kart, I expect things like sunroofs working and engines that don't sound like a diesel.

I'm glad to see that Mini has stepped up to the plate and fixed both issues. Once I get the stock tune reinstalled, I'm going to the dealer and having them fix that stupid noise.

I'm thrilled ya'll have gotten your cars fixed.

Thanks,


Mark

 

Good to hear your MINI is back and functioning properly.

Go 'clones, and Go Navy!

 

Tensioner replaced on 02-15-10
Mileage: 49217
I now have 50025 miles as of today.
No more rattle (yet)

 

Replaced at 7K miles, no repeat at 8.5K. Shop tensioners in once that were worse than the ones they took out, so they did the job again. Good results so far. '09 Clubman S

 

Do you know if the dealer is still using SIM110207 as the reference for the parts to replace? I'm wondering if you could post a scanned copy of your service record indicating what was replace

 

I know a lot of us are going in and having the chain tensioner and timing chain replaced and now not having the noise, but I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that the weather has been considerably warmer in the last few weeks and that this issue gets worse as the oil in the car gets older.

Let's hope we don't hear the dreaded rattle next fall/winter.

 

Since I live in bucolic NoCal, I am thinking that temperature was not the issue. At start up mine sounded like a diesel for about 5 minutes and then quieted down. Lowest temp on my gauge was 45F, but the noise would happen at start no matter the temp. Don't have many miles on since the fix and will report if any appear. Work done pretty well at Mini of Concord. They replaced only the tensioners, not the chain. Should that concern me?

 

Temperature definitely makes it worse as the colder it gets, the more viscous the oil becomes. For me, replacing only the chain tensioner did not do anything. The weather warmed up after they did that for me last year, so I didn't hear anything until this past November, but when I did hear it, it was really loud. This time they did the tensioners and the timing chain.

 

2007 Cooper S. Timing chain, gears, tensioner changed about 7000 miles ago or one year. Seems OK but I did have a bit of a rattle the other day when starting but I have put that down to the engine lacking oil as it had been stood for two weeks without starting. Definately much much better and acceptabel. Now saying that the f@@**ing noise will come back. Dave from Grimsby UK

 

you seem to be quite the "people person" mark

 

Just following my own request. I didn't want a discussion about how or why, there's plenty of threads already about that.

So I followed my own request and made a video elsewhere... not sure why that makes me "rude" but whatever...


Mark

 

Word on the latest fix.....

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

 

just had my tensioner replaced under SIM#110207. tech had it for a week and started in every AM, nose-down, with no further noise. this AM it sounded so smooth, minue the faint ticking of the DI. we'll see I guess

 

Had my tensioner looked at around 25,000ish miles and noise went away but came back around 32,000 so dealer replaced. Tensioner broke at the Dragon last year around 38,000 miles. Had it towed 600 miles to my dealer which replaced it again with a new sim update (not sure which one off the top of my head) Worked fine up until about 45,000 miles and just went back in the shop 2 weeks ago. Dealer is in the process of replacing my entire engine as I type this so hopefully this will include all the latest sim updates / fixes and won't happen again.

 

Thanks ya'll... I made an appt. with my dealership. (of course, as usual it's a 3-4 week waiting period )

Anyway, hopefully they'll do this once and be done with it...


Mark

 

fixed about 20,000 miles ago no noises since

 

Are you all replacing the entire assembly or just the tensioner plunger?

 

had my 08's plunger replaced about 6k ago, the noise seems to be getting slightly louder. it's not cold right now though, i can't really pin it down. it's not idling roughly like it was before the fix though.