My daughter brought her 2009 Cooper into the dealer with a list of things to check at 48,000 miles. One of the things that I noticed was after she drove home from work, about 20 miles, the engine would have a knocking sound at idle. Checked the oil frequently and it is always full. Well the service rep has duplicated the sound, but after 2 days on the lift and with the oil pan dropped they have no idea of the cause. I think they are taking a guess on the fuel pump and are going to change that. He did say this is the N12 engine and had not seen this problem before. So does anyone out there have a guess or idea I can pass along to service? Thanks

 

It has been 3 days since I made this post. 127 views and Zero replies. Maybe my SA is telling the truth when he said he had never heard this noise on a Cooper before.

 

In fairness to the rest of us, it's understandably difficult to diagnose sounds based on written descriptions. Posting a video of the sound will generally get you a better response.

 

Well the DX from my SA today is excessive camshaft end play which caused damage to the block as seen when dissembled today. A replacement engine has been ordered and will be the repair with a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. He says he has only seen this one time before on a 2007 and not a common occurrence. I guess the positive is a car with 48,000 miles on the odo which will have a brand new engine.