Hey guys

Any help is appreciated.

I have a 2012 MCS with 83k km on it. I purchased it used a few months ago. I've noticed recently now that it's getting colder outside that the engine makes a vibratey drone at around 2-3k rpm when it is cold. It usually only happens when I change from 1st to 2nd, maybe a couple times and then it's gone.

Does anyone have any clue what this might be?

 

Welcome to the board! These noises are well documented so you will find the support and a wealth of information to assist.
You might search under a few key words to start and see what you agree with.
1. Friction wheel
2. Water pump
3. Timing chain
4. Proper oil level and how to measure
5. Turbo fluttering noise and defective diverter valve.
Post up some pictures or videos of your noises, folks are quick to help here.
Enjoy the car!!!

 

Hey! Thanks for the reply.

So I recorded a couple of videos and it really didn't work out. It's a buzzing/vibration kind of noise that I wasn't able to reproduce when I went to record the video. Oil level was OK.

Here's revving from 1st to 2nd

Here's the engine @ idle

Ill try again tomorrow morning see if I can get it to show better on video.

 

Not my video but it's almost exactly like this!

 

Any ideas? Seems to happen only when in gear and mostly when in 2nd between 2500-3500 rpm.

 

And another video

Mine is similar but not NEARLY as bad--it goes away after a few gear changes.

 

Sounds like timing chain flutter due to low oil level. You might have the shop update you to the newest version hydro chain tensioner which will respond more quickly on cold starts and adjust the tension in the timing chain more quickly when cold. Please check the oil level and report what you find.

 

Thanks for the reply

Oil level was good. At the full level.

 

top of the dipstick? What weight oil are you using?

 

Top of the dip stick, it was changed maybe 4-5 weeks ago at my local BMW dealer. They put in BMW LL 5W-40. Oil is brown in color--not black. Car was warmed up to operating temp and I checked the oil after ~20 min of it sitting.

 

I was finally able to capture it.
Right at 2000 rpm the sound comes on. Please turn your volume up.
And the engine @ idle:

 

Almost sounds like something loose that stops vibrating once heated up. Look at the bolts on the heat shield, as well as the bottom retaining nuts on the down pipe. There are four in total at the bottom of the down pipe. Two on each side of the down pipe. One nuts holds a bracket to the engine the other secures the down pipe flange to the bracket. I've seen the nuts holding the bracket to the engine block loosen. Check the exhaust clamp while you're there as well as the retaining nuts on the underside heat shield in the area.

If you don't find anything there, I'd remove the primary O2 sensor and the upper heat shield from the turbo. Looks for leaks around the upper down pipe flange and loose nuts. Look at the nuts that secure the exhaust manifold. An inspection mirror helps. Check the nuts on the wastegate itself and check for play at the turbo wastegate arm.

 

Sounds like the timing chain due to a faulty or lazy timing chain tensioner. Once the oil warms up the tensor regains its full adjustment range and picks up the slack in the chain and the noise goes away.
Cheap and simple to replace during next oil change.

 

Thanks for this--Looks like I have some work to do. I'll take a look when I get a chance this weekend. I'll be honest I have no idea what half of that stuff is but I can learn. I just wanted to check with the community and make sure it's nothing serious in the engine!

 

So would I request a timing chain tensioner replacement?

 

You will want to double check the latest updated part number at ECS Tuning or other vendor. There have been many versions of this part. # 11317607551. Or you can look at RealOEM.com and so part search. Super easy to have this updated to the newest version.

 

^^ 11317607551 is the newest chain thats in our full new kits. 11314609482 is the older version that is a replacement part for stretched chains within the stretch tolerance, pretty much just a quick fix without replacing the chain and everything.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nsioner-3.html

 

How labor intensive is this job? How much can I expect to be paying for this?

 

Full kit or just the tensioner fix?

 

Not exactly sure--whatever is needed. Are these symptoms consistent with timing chain issues? It's fine at idle, there is no rattle, even when cold.

 

Those links I shared are N14 engine, but the N18 shares the same New tensioner 11317607551, not the N14 fix tensioner 11314609482:


N18 = Your MINI engine.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-Cooper-R56-S-Coupe-L4_1.6L_N18B16A/Engine/Timing/


You could swap in a 11317607551, it does not take much and much better than doing the whole chain. Makes sure your oil level is up and good also. Cost, that depends on the shop, maybe 1 hr labor rate, for the full chain replacement and tensioner is could be $$$$ and 5 hrs or more labor rate.

here is the N14 engine tensioner swap, pretty much the same on the N18. If you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself have a shop who knows how to do it. Most BMW/MINI shops can do it.

 

Lol. Hey we all gotta start somewhere since no one is born knowing this stuff. I try and learn something new every day. But if your going to own an English car out of warranty, and aren’t made out of wads of cash, the Bentley manual can be your best friend.

Also lots of sharp guys on this board, plus we have some great sponsors/vendors that can be super helpful as well (ECS, Pelican, Way, etc.)

Happy Motoring

 

Thanks everyone. One more question--This noise only seems to appear when I'm in gear in motion. Doesn't happen when I'm in neutral... does that mean anything?

 

Possible that its putting more load on the engine and causing it.

 

So the noise happens:
1- when it’s cold
2. When under load