I just bought this car about 6 months ago. It has now 104k miles on it. It's a 2007 S Model.

Is this the "Death Rattle"? I'm assuming since it is chain related then I should try not to drive it but the repair is pretty expensive isn't it?

Do I have any other options? How hard is the repair if I was to do it myself? I've replaced timing belts and transmissions but I've moved and no longer have access to my tools. Would it be worth finding someone who has the tools and attempting myself?

Reading the forums I am getting scared.

 

Could you take a video from outside with the hood up? And not revving the engine - just let it idle? Very hard to tell from the clip.

 

I'll do it when I get into work. Thanks for trying.

 

Listening on my iphone speaker mind you, I think that's probably it. Especially noticing how it gets louder when the camera was moved to the passenger side. If it is the timing chain, yes, it is expensive to fix if there's so much slack that the whole assembly needs replacing. If this is the case and you want to do it yourself, I know there's special cam locking tools you'll need at an additional cost. I don't know how hard it is, but I'm sure someone on here has posted about DIY'ing it. If there's just a little slack, this can be taken up with a simple repair by installing the revised tensioner.

Take a look at this thread -- https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-database.html -- and click on the top link (google doc). I think you'll be looking for TSB # SIM 11 02 07 if I'm not mistaken. You can download the MINI bulletin about it.

 

Thank you. All my searches kept leading me to threads asking about the problems but not the actual bulletin.

I'll take an outside video after it cools back down. It did it this afternoon leaving for work. I want to describe it as kind of like a vibration that comes in and out but its pretty constant. Frequency changes as the RPMs change.

It also does it after its warm on the highway. It's not as loud but its a pretty constant drone. It gets louder as the RPMs drop when you make an upshift but the frequency also gets lower. Almost like the sound of a broken heatshield rattling against an exhaust pipe. It's definitely coming form the passenger side.

 

Mike, here is a link to the bulletin as of October 2010. I'm pretty sure there have been newer versions published since then, but if you can't find them that will at least give you a start. I'd imagine any changes are just updating parts numbers.

 

Hmmm...with that last description I'm thinking it could be something else possibly. Unless its so stretched that it's always dragging. Another vid would be helpful.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I just tried to take a vid of it but it decided to take a break from antagonizing me. I also think I may have figured out something that is causing that noise I describe on the highway. I have the K&N Apollo system and the rubber hose where the filter connects allows it to smack against that rear manifold. I attempted to tie it back and when I go to lunch I will see what this does to the noise and if it changes at all.

Also unrelated. Can anyone identify this part? It looks brand new. It is on the drivers side near the drivers side headlight and coolant bottle.
http://imgur.com/a/ARpku

 

The part in the photo (I assume the one with the serial number) is part of the shifter linkage that supports the bowden cable. At least that's what it corresponds to on my diesel engined model (looks the same).

 

Just as an update.

I am now getting a reduced power light during highway speeds when throttle is less then 10% or when I release the throttle. It comes on for about 10 seconds then goes right back off after I left off the throttle a few times. This has been happening more consistently over the last few days.


I am in the process of scheduling an appointment. I've submitted an online form but haven't received an answer back from Mini of Chicago.

I'll let you know what they come up with.

 

Wouldn't start this morning.

Getting it towed to the dealership tomorrow morning. I didn't drive it all day yesterday. Added half a quart of oil last night and warmed it up to check the level. It ran fine and didn't make any alarming noises when I cut it off.

Go out to start it this morning and it tries to crank over but never fully cranks.

I'm hoping it's the fuel pump since it would still be covered under the 120 warranty. I imagine if the chain broke or jumped a tooth then I would have known by some type of noise or rough idle.