Again me. Probably it was unsmart of 18 year old me (10 years ago...) to treat it as a rally car.... anyway.... with holiday season, from time to time I left my R50 unused for a 1 or 2 days, something that usually does not happen as I commute with it. To my not so pleasant surprise when, after the prolonged non-use, I start it for around a minute or so it makes a faint (well, faint for now I guess...) bad sound similar to the R56 death rattle, just less chainy and more "tapping". If I start it again after idk 4 hours it runs absolutely smooth, driving is perfect.


2k miles ago I replaced, as a precautionary measure, the chain tensioner so I do not think it is the cuplrit. I'm pretty positive it is engine-related since the clutch/transmission/etc is new from the gearbox swap.

What could it be/is it worrysome?
I thought about it for a while and AFAIK can be either .1 normal .2 something with the hydraulic cam lifters .3 broken chain guides .4 some sort of solenoid someone mentioned

How can I diagnose better? In jan I'll change the oil + filter and look for metal shavings in it (=chain guides) but other than than I have no idea.

 

it sounds like it needs a new cam chain tensioner, which can be accessed near the oil filter housing. Make sure to buy the newer OEM ones, as many on the market are untested and are bad when you put it in. (been there and done that)
Make sure to change the oil filter and only use full synthetic oil. It is important!

 

Tensioner or the chain/guides is worn pretty bad. I used the febi one with no issues. +1

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tensioner.html

Timing chain DIY:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ide-rails.html

 

Check your oil. What weight are you running? The "w" in motor oil stands for winter. The first number in the oil classification refers to a cold weather viscosity. The lower this number is, the less viscous your oil will be at low temperatures. For example, a 5W- motor oil will flow better at lower temperatures than a 15W- motor oil.

Just a thought.