Help!
my wife and i just bought a 2006 S model, it has about 600 miles on it
in the morning when started just for a couple of seconds it sounds like a
rod is knocking?
has anyone had an issue with this
thanks
Bob

 

What octane have you been using? Do you have any reason to suspect that you may have bad fuel?

 

First of all, congratulations on your car!

Second, please check your engine oil level. Make sure there's enough oil.

Third, is there any smoke or rough running?

 

octane is 89
no smoke or running rough

 

It could be the 89 octane causing the knock at start-up...then the knock sensors are kicking in and "fixing it" by retarding the timing.

When your tank of 89 is halfway gone, top it off with 93. Then use 93 from here on in... I've been using 93 Octane since day one...no knocking in 37,000 miles!

rock on,

-boognish

 

Are you sure it's not just valvetrain noise? I think that's more common at startup.

 

the handbook says only to use premuim fuel. you did not......there is your answer.

 

It might be the valves "tapping" before oil is pumped up to them for lubrication. A lot of cars do it but I haven't noticed any on the MINI yet. Also, on older cars, this happens when the valves are in need of an adjustment. Your MINI is brand new so I wouldn't expect that to be the problem.

 

*says minimum 91 octane on the inside of my fuel lid... does it not say that on the S lids?

 

The MINI Owner's Manual also states that a minimum of 91 octane is to be used. I suspect this new MINI is not liking its restrictive octane diet.

Did your Motoring Advisor suggest using 89? I sure hope not.

Maximusmini's 2005 Vader's fuel lid says "premium unleaded." (I'm visiting him and don't have my Wanda available to check right now). :smile:


Clover

 

I doubt it is an octane problem on cold start-up. While I agree you should use at least 91 octane, my mini does the same thing. Sound is down low and only for 1/2 to one second on first start of the day (but not everyday..). My guess is check valve is not holding oil and it drians back into the pan after sitting overnite. It takes about a second for the oil pressure to build back up in the morning.
I'm going to see Randy Webb tomorrow and will ask him what he thinks.

BTW: I use only 93 octane

 

think your answer hits the nail on the head
i will run 91 or higher from now on
thanks everyone
and please let me know what Randy Webb Says
thanks again everyone

 

Another thing, blue.....turn the key to on, but don't crank it right away. Maybe that will let the oil move back into place? :smile: Crank after about 20+ seconds. :smile:


Clover

 

Um, folks, from what I understand about modern adaptive ECU's, the timing wouldn't change with every start up. Once the vehicle sees knock at the first instance of 89 octane, its going to retard timing and keep it that way. Eventually it will try and bring the timing back up until knock is detected, then it will set it just below that level. I seriously doubt the ECU returns to 91 octane tuning every time you turn it off.

IF this is the case, then the engine won't knock with every startup. To me it sounds like partly the cold start issue, and partly oil starvation. 89 is fine to run in the MINI, it will just retard the timing and keep it there. You won't see nearly full power, but it won't hurt anything. At least under normal driving conditions... if your running to redline on a regular basis than maybe the ECU might try to increase the timing to help you out, with bad results, but that's about all I can think of.


Anyway, hope you find out what's ailing your MINI!

Rm2k5

 

Make sure you check the oil level!!!!

 

is it a knock or a tapp..... tapping is usually the hydralic valve lifters.... no worries...

 

Presumably you are referring to a dry sump oil system ("...turn the key to on, but don't crank it right away."). I wasn't aware that the MINI (of any flavor) came with a dry sump oil system. Am I mistaken?

 

I don't think waiting to turn it on right away would help. Does anyone know if the MINI has an anti-backflow valve of some sort in the lubrication system? I've never heard valvetrain noise - even after leaving the car for a week or two.

 

If your car is a manual, depress the clutch and see if the knocking goes away. If so it is the input shaft on the trans, which is normal, annoying but normal.

 

I also get the "rapping" occasionally on startup. I only run Sunoco 93. Had it back at the dealer, but they couldn't reproduce it. Seems to do it worse when it sits outside my garage overnight. It's not the input shaft (familiar with that noise, and the infamous LSD rub, too).
I'm guessing low oil to the lifters, or maybe an exhaust leak. Let me know if you find out what it is.

 

I sincerely doubt it has anything to do with gas. At start-up, stone cold and under no load, octane would not happen. This issue sounds more like a question of oil getting all circulated to me.

 

I explained knock to Randy and he didn't have any ideas. Did say the oil pressure check valve is not easy to get to.