We've got a 2009 Clubman S, with 42,000 miles. Recently, the car has developed a rattling that is especially noticeable at idle. I have a video with the sound at this link: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2328398/Min...eo11012018.3gp

There is a rattling that sounds like it is coming from the valve cover, and then a clicking that comes and goes from the rear of the engine. Is this the timing chain rattle I keep reading about, or just normal operation?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

Was the rattling come from the passenger side of the valve cover?
If so, that's the tall-tale sign of a loose timing chain assembly.
And with that, have it addressed IMMEDIATELY before the timing chain skips teeth on the camshafts and will internally damage the engine.

Oil level to correct level?
Manual Transmission? If you depress the clutch pedal, does the rattle go away?

- Erik

 

Yes, the rattling appears to be coming from the passenger side of the valve cover.

Oil is full, and it does not seem to matter if the clutch is in or out.

We are out of the full warranty period, was this ever covered in a recall?

This job sounds fairly major, given the cramped location of the timing chain in a transverse-mounted engine. I did the clutch in our R53, is this much harder to accomplish on jack stands? Is there a DIY for this job?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

at 42,000 miles and 3yrs... how are you out of the full warranty period??? MINI has a warranty of 4yr/50,000 miles. the Maintenance warranty is 3yr/36,000miles.

 

Good point. I think I was confusing maintenance with warranty. I'll check with the dealer.

 

Have the dealers fix it. It's a 1500-2000 job!

 

its actually not that hard of a job (if your mechanically inclined which from the sounds of it you are), but honestly your still within your powertrain warranty, i'd go in immediately and have it checked out and more then likely repaired. It does require a few specialty tools which makes the job in some ways undoable unless you can get your hands on them. From the sounds of it, your timing chain is on its way out and has more then likely stretched beyond acceptable measures and is causing the rattle your hearing.