I apologize if this has been discussed, as I really cant tell the difference in other video clips. I ask because I have not been able to find a video or sound clip of what a engine without a rattle should sound like to get a reference? its a 07 70k miles and has had the timing kit replaced once with the 2nd owner.

Does this sound like it has a engine rattle?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BivUD...ature=youtu.be
The quality is not the greatest but on start up it sounds like something is rattling and always makes that sound.

 

From that video it definitely sounds like the timing chain to me. When you take the camera over the box that houses the chain assembly the ticking gets louder.

 

So the echo? like rocks shacking in a can is the timing chain. What sounds is the injectors?

 

Couldn't say what the injectors sound like. But it seems like you should certainly get that timing chain checked out in case there's breakage in there which could potentially destroy the engine.

 

When I had my timing chain components replace about two weeks ago mine didn't sound quite that bad and I had broken upper chain guide! The sound that you are hearing is the loose timing chain clanking against the upper guide, your chain sounds pretty loose and if it jumps off the cams your motor is toast!

It is my belief that I have a noisy injector that ticks at about 2000 rpms, it does sound like an electronic solenoid ticking followed by a pinging or knocking sound in one of my cylinders. I've been told it's the vacuum operated valve that activates the turbo, noise is coming from the intake side of engine underneath the intake manifold. Your video doesn't sound at all like an injector!

 

Ok, thanks for the help, luckily it this should be covered under the ct used warranty law that doesn't sound mechanical operational and sound!. I've been actually noticing the rpms fluctuating sometimes when idle and spike themselves on hills, I assume though this isn't a timing chain slip right and I would be throwing codes and have a cooked engine

 

Sounds like a normal engine to me.

 

And now I'm even more confused... As to what it should or shouldn't sound like.

 

If, at least, nothing is broken but the tensioner isn't applying adequate pressure on the chain, when you start the car from cold, it will sound just like a diesel and be very distinctive from what it will sound like once it warms up a bit. From my R56 experience, I caught it before it could degrade any further. Whether you think you have a problem or not, dead cold start-ups is when you will know and when you should be listening.

 

Ill take a listen but whether its a cold start or has warmed up it always sounds like that, it's an unusual sound coming from r50 and I'm having trouble telling

 

I wouldn't hesitate to get it checked out if you are in doubt, have a dealer or someone measure the chain deflection. You don't want to loose your chain\guides\timing. At all.

 

Both times I had issues with my chain and/or the tensioner, I did not experience any of the cold-start chatter that is so characteristic of the problem. If you get the rattling you know you have a problem. You could still have a problem, but not have the normal symptoms.

 

Well thats the problem I was hoping you guys could figure that but I do agree its hard to tell from a video. The dealer is charging 200$ to take a look at it, but its under the ct used law warranty and I would therefore have to go back to the dealership (not mini) which is further away for the them just to bring it back to mini. Its somewhat of mess.

 

You can buy the tool to measure the deflection and it shouldn't be too difficult to do on your own. Or possibly get some help if you have some active members of a MINI club close to you. Unfortunately, even if you do succeed in measuring it, that won't help you assess whether it is something else wrong like a broken guide rail versus a chain that has just stretched quite a bit.

Maybe you can find an independent shop that specializes in MINIs (or at least knows them really well) that could at least give you better price for the diagnosis.