OK. For the record, Im a Jeep guy! In September 2011 I bought my wife a 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman. It currently has about 52k miles and I've experienced two annoying problems.

First, last winter when the weather was quite cold -- say below 20 F -- there was a distinctive fuel smell in the passenger compartment. Took it into the dealer twice and they were unable reproduce. Ive never been able to reproduce this problem if the temp is about 30 F. Frustrating!

Recently, the car has been sounding HORRIBLE when starting -- sounds like a 1978 VW Rabbit diesel but only for about 5 seconds. That horrible sounds subsides but it still doesnt sound smooth. Now when she accelerates it has somewhat of a whine as if it's a turbo but I know it's not!

I've done lots of reading here about the "Death Rattle" but what I cant figure out is if it affects non "S" minis. Im sure this is going to involve a trip to the dealer.

What I can say for sure is it's a helluva lot easier working on my '94 Wrangler than this little thing!

Thanks in advance.

 

The typical "death rattle" or "cold start chatter" that you read so much about on the forums is an "S" model phenomenon. That said, even the non-S MINI has a timing chain and it is possible it could be stretched beyond spec, you could have a broken guide rail or something else. So it is going to sound like what all the S owners get and really, it is the same thing. Just not nearly as common on the non-S models.

 

the death rattle also occurs on the non-s. Have you check your wife's oil level? These engines burn a lot of oil and lack of oil can cause the noise as well.

 

The non-S shouldn't burn (a lot of) oil, as it doesn't have a turbo. If it does consume oil, then something must be seriously wrong with it. Also noises that sound only for a few seconds on start are normal, as it takes some time for the pump to build the necessary pressure and lubricate everything. You can read through the TSB database and get more detail info on it.

The "death rattle" will last for up to 5 minutes after starting the engine, which is why it is also potentially dangerous. That being said, the tensioners may be similar on both models and work with both a spring and oil pressure, so inadequate oil and/or pressure makes it softer. Part of the problem is that the tensioner is not in the oil pan, so if the car is left undriven for some time the tensioner drains (acc. to Nick Czerula of Bentley Publishers).

 

This might only apply to r53's but I was told that many aftermarket oil filters are made slightly shorter and will allow the residual oil in cannister to drain back into pan. Therefore you would be getting a dry start-up every morning.

 

This is my 09 Justa. Been sitting in my garage for 30 mins now. IT sounded worse when I got out of work, where it sat 6 hours since lunch.

Should I be concerned of death rattle?
I hear nothing in the cabin, or outside the car with the hood down.

 

nil

 

Update on this: I changed oil w/ new Mann filter and 4.6 q of Castrol full synth and noise went away. Oil level may have been a bit low (have had another discussion with the, uhhhh, primary driver about checking this) but fine now. Filter appeared to be mis-shapen in the housing -- a bit 'compressed'. Many thanks for the pointers. Regarding the oil change -- I wasnt looking forward to this but other than having to dig up my 6mm hex key it was a breeze!

 

Welcome to NAM!
I have an 07 non S since new. It has always sounded like a diesel rabbit
when starting it up. I check the oil every 200 miles. I do not think it uses oil
but for a while I did have a leak (fixed now). The diesel sound goes away
fairly quickly. If I do not give it at least 10 minutes of baby driving after I leave
work I get a VANOS error code. But it sits longer at home for the morning drive
and it does not happen there.

 

I'm not saying you are wrong, just trying to educate myself. What about a turbo causes an engine to burn oil?