Hi All just picked up a 2013 JCW with the N18 motor with 98k . Would you mind taking a listen and giving me your option on this sound.
I removed the valve cover and the upper timing chain guide looks fine.

Honestly I am not sure what a normal R56 should sound like.

Thanks

M

 

Hard to say from the video. Our 2012 MCS has always made a sewing machine sound.

 

It’s always hard to tell with video, but it sounds pretty normal to me. With the direct injection you can hear the injectors and the HPFP making noise... it’s a noisy diesel/sewing machine sound......sort of..... but make sure your oil is fresh and topped up and you should be good to go!

 

I used to get weird rattles from various things. Hold with your hand the air pipe coming from front bumper to air box, might eliminate some vibrational sounds. If you genuinely think it sounds off, buy a car stethoscope and investigate. Sounds normal-ish to me but every mini engine sounds a little different

 

After driving it around a bit more and sticking my ear close to the HPFP, I think the majority of the noise is from the HPFP. It sounds like a ball of marbles. Is that normal?

Car drives fine. No check engine light.

M

 

One way to test HPFP is with a scan tool that can read fuel pressure (low and high). I was told with car off, press ignition without foot on brake and scan with tool and your HPFP should be outputting 65-75 psi. During normal operation my HPFP sits between 1180-1220 psi with peaks to 2200 under heavy boost driving. If you are in California around Orange County i'll come scan your car with my scantool no charge to help you out.

 

It sounds a little louder than my R56 N12 engine. Do you have a really light oil in it? I think mine quieted down a bit on 5-40. Does not sound like chain rattle to me - wouldn’t know about the HPVD

Edit - That’s HPFP... funny. Thankfully would not know about HPV either....

 

If you have a manual transmission (not sure if this works with an automatic), try cruising on a quiet road surface at a low speed -- 15-25 MPH -- then lift your foot off the gas pedal. If the noise immediately stops, it's probably just the fuel injectors (they shut off under those conditions to save fuel). It's very noticeable in my car.

 

Anyone ever replace timing chains just for precaution? My 2013 MCS has been rock solid reliable at over 90k (bought at only 8500) and I’d like to keep it as long as I can, at least another 25k.

 

I have an R53 and I'm not sure of the similarities, if any, between your drive belt tensioner and mine but just a word of caution. I had a similar noise that I thought was a loose timing chain. It turned out to be a rattle caused by a missing bushing in the drive belt tensioner damper that caused the damper to vibrate against one of the attachment bolts. A $12 part (new damper) and 30 minutes labor and the noise is gone. It may be worth checking on your MINI.

 

Yeah the tensioner and also the water pump pulley and friction wheel can rattle if they are getting tired. The HPFP is pretty noisy, I think it’s just the HPFP and injectors you are hearing. For oil I run Liquid Moly 5-40 and it quiets it down a little. These are noisy little engines.

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have not had a chance to tear into the engine yet.

 

Would this rattle in relation to revs? I’m getting a rattle that sounds similar to a heat shield but is related to revs, I’m starting to think it might be waste gate related