Hi everyone,
I've recently purchased a 2010 MCS and it still has the mini next warranty. The timing chain was replaced around 25k miles ago. But I was hearing this rattling noise on cold starts so I decided to take it to my dealer. After inspection they stated that the timing chain was stretched 72mm and needed to be replaced. When I went to pick up my mini, I checked if the noise was still there and it was, which you can hear it in the video below. I asked a service technician if the noise is usual or not and he told me that the engine sounded OK. However, I would like to get you guys opinion too. Since I have only 4 months of warranty left, I just wanna make sure that this "rattling" noise is usual. Thank you....

 

Sounds a little louder then normal. Is the oil level ok?

 

Do you mean the oil level? If so, they changed the oil when they replaced the timing chain. I checked the level couple times after that and it was ok.

Also, I've watched couple N14 death rattle videos and I can say that the rattling noise is different than what I hear with my engine. I guess this inconsistent ticking noise is usual but as you said sounds a bit louder.

EDIT: The oil was at this level. A little bit over the red part.

 

Oil level, edit

Ok, they overfilled it a hair, they do that because the N14 early engine are known to consume oil. When they get low you can get a very loud knock and timing chain rattle. I have heard the knock on cold start and its a little quieter then that. The N14 earlier ones do have a little knock noise to them.

 

Thanks ECS

 

Is your MINI a manual Trans? could be flywheel rattle... depress the clutch pedal and see if it goes away if so..

 

That does not sound like my R55 when it had broken timing chain guides, needed a new timing chain, and had the "death rattle". That sounded like a loud diesel engine for a couple minutes until it warmed up.

Yours sounds there's some flubber or chatty chatty bang bang in the engine!

But seriously, that doesn't sounds great, but I don't know what the cause could be.

 

It's normal, I think his mic is just a little sensitive.

 

I took a closer listen to my R55 S engine and it makes that flubbery sort of tapping noise also, just not as loud as in the OP's video. I am really curious what makes that noise. It is such an unusual sound.

 

Possibly vacuum pump. Maybe stethascope to narrow down source?

 

who replaced the timing chain to begin with? what was the extend of the work?