R56 N16 (2013 normally aspirated) Rough idle on cold start up

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Sep 30, 2018 | 01:10 PM
  #1  
All - I have a 2013 Mini Cooper N16 (100kkm or 72k miles) normally aspirated engine that has a rough (almost surging) idle for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on a cold start. There is no engine check light. The coils, plugs, belt and battery were replaced in January by the previous owner at the dealer.

Now this rough idle causes some strange sounds (Minis love to make strange sounds to send us on wild goose chases...) that I thought perhaps was the timing chain death rattle. Nope. I inspected the guilds and they were all intact - took the time to replace the top guide anyway and install an updated tensioner.

Ive determined the sound was caused by the cold start rough idle while investigating a strange noise ( my other thread where so far I know the friction pulley needs a new bearing), I witnessed the belt vibrating wildly due to the idle - I’ll video it next ti
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Sep 30, 2018 | 01:34 PM
  #2  
I’ll post a video that shows the rough idle and the belt vibrating and associated sound.

Im relieved I’ve rulled out the timing chain creating that sound.

While trying to isolate another sound (my other thread) I removed the belt and started the cold engine. No unusual sounds but it was clear there was a rough idle! so once I find the source of this I will have a perfect mini!

Now I need to find the the source of that cold rough idle. Once warm, there is no rough idle on start up. No CEL.

More to come.
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Sep 30, 2018 | 05:45 PM
  #3  
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AqL5to3ffxX1g1ThfVfAwv8FGEqZ

this is a cold start video with no friction wheel or belt on the car - you can hear the engine surging subtly.

ill be replacing the friction wheel ( bad bearing) and water pump pulley ( rubber chunks missing) to start - I have another thread on this.


Once i straigten out these items and confirm the alternate or and tensioner are ok, I will start looking to see if there are any codes. I’m not getting a CEL.



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Oct 10, 2018 | 08:23 PM
  #4  
Now that I’ve addressed the other issues (my other thread where I replaced the friction wheel, water pump pulley and tensioner) this will be my number one focus.

I ordered up some bg44k so I will try at least 2 treatments. While investigating where to get it, I spoke with my local distributor and it’s clear almost all dealers use this stuff....in my area. Hopefully it would for me!!
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Oct 10, 2018 | 08:27 PM
  #5  
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Oct 12, 2020 | 05:42 AM
  #6  
Just to revive this thread - I did two treatments but the rough or surging on cold start is still there.

Once warm - it disappears.

I think I’ll let the dealer take a look (diagnostic only) as to what the issue is.
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Sep 9, 2021 | 06:05 PM
  #7  
Rough idle on cold start
I just recently purchased a 2012 Mini with the N16 as well. It’s also experiencing a rough idle only on cold start where the RPMs will fluctuate quite a bit. It was sitting for about 8 months so I figured it was due to the old fuel. Filling the car up with 91 and fixing the exhaust leak seems to have made the issue less pronounced but RPMs are still fluctuating a bit.

Any updates on what the issue could be?

Quote: Just to revive this thread - I did two treatments but the rough or surging on cold start is still there.

Once warm - it disappears.

I think I’ll let the dealer take a look (diagnostic only) as to what the issue is.
Reply 0
Dec 29, 2021 | 07:59 AM
  #8  
Hi there, I was searching for an issues to a strange harmonic rattle I hear it about 3,200 to 3300 RPM. It kind of rattles for a few second and then stops and then rattles for a few second and then stops, and it goes away below that rpm, but the harmonic rattle seems to be constant. Thinking it was the timing chain I was looking for related issues because I don't have the death rattle at startup, not yet haha. Anyways, this updated tensioner has me curious, can anyone just put one in or does it need any special tools? Because I would like to eliminate it if it is the timing chain or not
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Mar 4, 2022 | 11:41 PM
  #9  
Quote:
All - I have a 2013 Mini Cooper N16 (100kkm or 72k miles) normally aspirated engine that has a rough (almost surging) idle for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on a cold start. There is no engine check light. The coils, plugs, belt and battery were replaced in January by the previous owner at the dealer.

Now this rough idle causes some strange sounds (Minis love to make strange sounds to send us on wild goose chases...) that I thought perhaps was the timing chain death rattle. Nope. I inspected the guilds and they were all intact - took the time to replace the top guide anyway and install an updated tensioner.

Ive determined the sound was caused by the cold start rough idle while investigating a strange noise ( my other thread where so far I know the friction pulley needs a new bearing), I witnessed the belt vibrating wildly due to the idle - I’ll video it next ti
have you solved this problem ?
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