Hi guys,

I got my 2010 JCW pre-own with 20k miles. Since I got it, it has this knocking sound that bothers me. Took it to the dealership complaining about a weird engine noise, they checked it and found nothing wrong. I felt that I was not very specific when describing this noise to them, and thats probably why they ignored it.

After researching in the forum, I became aware of the common problem with the timing chain, I took the car back one more time a week later, and this time being very clear that I wanted them to check the timing chain tensioner.

When I got the car back they told me to change the chain tensioner (part 11-31-4-609-482)

Here is a clip of my car after they replaced the tensioner. The sound is still there.

http://youtu.be/8BOfCmUKZ8M

So I'm wondering is this is a normal sound for the car. Or is something still wrong.


What do you think?

Thanks

 

Check your oil level it sounds low.

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My old 2007 was making the same noise when my oil was extremely low. I have since got rid of that vehicle and know drive a 2012 JCW. I have checked a friends mini with the same noise and it was his oil level also.

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I would hope a certified technician would check the oil just because of the history of these issues. Some apparently do the bare minimum.. If you are low I would hope you would get an oil light. If you are low or were low please tell us.. It may save a few of us in the future.. It will teach people to not be complacent waiting for an oil light and it would also be more ammo for a class action lawsuit or maybe a recall or TSB on making the oil light come on earlier.

If you want I can record my engine bay using cell phone. There is some noise i hear in your video that I am hoping I do not hear in mine.

 

Wait, are there really people who wait for an oil light? Thats just..... why do they even own a car.

 

Yes there are and thats why there called idiot lights!

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Checked the oil this morning. Its fine.


This morning I started the car again and I feel the sound is different when I do a cold start.

It's driving me crazy. Please, I need more feedback. Is this normal?

 

So true lol....

 

+1

No reflection on the OP but checking the oil should be at least a weekly ritual, I pull the stick every time I refuel.

 

Yeah....does not help a few ...read A FEW MAKES, and mini is not one, have replaced the dipstick with a add oil light....on the MINI it is still a low oil preassure light....and you can infer if psi is low, it is cause the pump is low, and is sucking air...but dammage is done...

 

if your noise seams to be more up top where the valve train is.
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I guess I will have to start checking my oil more often. Sometimes I think this car was built in 1952. Does mini think you pull up at a gas station, 4 guys run out and check your fluids, fill your tank and wipe your windshield? For all the high tech gizmos, you would think it would be able to tell you if there was an oil problem before dammage was done. You know, like all the other modern cars on the road that can make it between oil changes without blowing up.

 

Your car sounds normal! This is the exact same sounds my MINI S '07 does. But I did have and sometimes still get the famed chain rattle and I can DEFINITELY tell you that ain't it!

The chain rattle sounds like a tractor engine period! But on cars where only the tensioner is replaced you only hear it between 1600-2500 rpm. Also what makes it emphatically wrong, is the fact that after a couple of minutes the engine becomes more silent, so you know something changed.

PS:

 

(My following comment is in no way taking issue one way or t'other with the above quote, merely reflecting upon it as conversation starter.)

Nothing is forever, sadly, and technology can't change that equation. In the last 2 or 3 years there seems to be a lot more glitches, gripes, red lights and/or complaints from people with the newer models. If there were some way to watch over their shoulder, it might be educational to see how many 2nd Gen and CM owners rely solely on bells and whistles to tell them something is amiss rather than do regular systems checks themselve and take care of issues proactively before the red lights start flashing. Anyone with a minor in Philosophy wanna jump in?

 

If, when I bought my mini at the mini dealership, they told me that I needed to keep an eye on the oil level because the turbo model likes to burn through it, I would have walked right out. The dealer expects you to come into get the car re-programmed so you can turn your fog lights on, but the same system can't properly monitor a critical system like the oil?

I thought I was buying a reliable, low maintenence daily driver that has a sports car vibe. I think I got an unreliable, high maintenece sports car with a daily driver vibe.

Anyway, I will leave your thread alone, but I too had to have my chain tensioners replaced. Still makes funny noises in the morning.

 

I guess I just grew up in a different time and old habits don't just fade away. Oil levels, grease zirks, air pressure, hydraulics and coolant levels were all checked and topped off every morning before any engine was turned over. It took 10 or 15 minutes to get just the JD 45 combine ready for a day in the field. There ain't no idiot lights to tell you a shaft bearing is about to sieze up on the cutter head.