[caesar]

"It's a characteristic of the engine" ???????????

If that was the case then every R56 MCS owner would be complaining!!!

[JG.26]

The 150 THP engine in my 207CC which is the same engine in the Cooper S is virtually silent, sometimes it's a little tappety but nothing that sounds alarm bells. The suggestion by MINI dealers that the noise is a charcteristic is rubbish and a nonsense. If this were the case then how come Peugeot cars that use the 150 and 175 engine aren't experiencing the same problems? Only thing I can think of is the engine is altered by MINI or the ECU settings used bythem have upset the engines running somehow?

[Vitesse]

If that was the case then every R56 MCS owner would be complaining!!![/quote]

Not really, don't get me wrong I'm not making a judgement call either way. All I'm saying is this guy giving me the lift, worked for the dealers and said that it could be embarrassing how noisy the car could be, but he had accepted that it was noisy.

People may have a different threshold of noisy and what is a noisy problem? I'm sure there are some cases where there are clearly problems but I would also imagine there are some cases where the car is simply a lot nosier than peoples expectations. Especially if they had come from an R53 which is a relatively quiet in comparison.

[S8RAH]

I had the tensioner change about 2 months ago and the death rattle improved for a while then came back. I left the car with the dealer overnight on Monday and they have no answers. They have a couple of MCS with the same problem so have taken some readings from all of them and sent info to MINI techies, awaiting response ---- however I had a Works Stage 1 kit fitted (well I thought I might as well if they wanted it for a day ) and the rattle is less obvious. Possible fix ??

[caesar]

I also experience some noise if my July 07 MCS is parked on the downward slope of the drive leading to the garage for 3 hours or more.

When I say 'noise' it's not obtrusive but more a rattle, just like a chain rattling. Provided I let the engine idle for 2 minutes, then increase the revs to reverse the noise stops.

This evening after it had been parked for 4 hours on the drive, I did an experiment. I opened the garage doors, started the engine (it rattled) then immediately let it freewheel into the garage.

The noise stopped immediately the car was on a level surface

I have checked that the oil level is OK.

Possible cause of noise: -

a) Due to the angle of the engine the oil in the sump is sloping in a particular direction
b) The engine oil pump, depending on where it is situated in the sump, could be partially starved of oil.
c) As a result a number of moving components are not getting sufficient oil pressure to function correctly hence the noise.

I have a reasonable knowledge if Internal Combustion engines either 2 or 4 stroke, and am confident this is the clue to the problem. A solution will have to be provided by BMW

[DerekH]

Latest update Oil frothing is the noise problem according to latest , caused by short runs cars oil froths and bubles and blocks pipe up to tapets, sounds it could be correct and i asked what will fix it , do longer runs and more miles, i am now going to get cam belt tensioner and some other work related to this our car has only done it twice.

[Deanliv]

If you have read my previous posts, my MCS had its timing tensioner replaced, this did nothing, BMW next advised to replace the hydraulic lifters, THIS CURED THE PROBLEM. I do over 150 motorway miles everyday, some 3000 miles per month. The problem has started to re occur after arround 1500 miles. BMW design, area tech reps and main tech reps are coming to investigate mine on DEC 6th. I will post further information as and when.

[caesar]

Hi Deanliv,

I hope you don't mind me asking, but when was your MCS built? From your previous threads it would appear you have the original Chrysler engine as opposed to the current engine which was developed by BMW and Peugeot. As it's the current engine that has the noise, then the 'fix' you mention may not apply.

[Deanliv]

Its the R56 1.6 turbocharged unit. 56 plate built Oct 06, build number 458. It is one of the early turbocharged units.

I also owned an R53 supercharged version previous before a nasty accident,

[caesar]

Thanks Deanliv, that clarifies the situation.

Will wait with great interest the outcome on DEC 6th.

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by DerekH (original)

Latest update Oil frothing is the noise problem according to latest , caused by short runs cars oil froths and bubles and blocks pipe up to tapets, sounds it could be correct and i asked what will fix it , do longer runs and more miles, i am now going to get cam belt tensioner and some other work related to this our car has only done it twice.

The "frothing oil" explaintion does make some sence as to why oil is not getting into the tensioner piston and hydralic lifters.

Not 100% sold on the "longer runs" fix. My cummute is 20 miles each way. More than enough time to get the oil warmed up to operating temps and optimum viscocity IMO.

Still keeping my fingers crossed (and thanking my luckey stars for an active warranty )

[118]

I have the same rattly sound occaisionally when its really cold in the morning - haven't read right through all the posts, but did you get a resolution?? thanks

[Bishamon]

Quote: Originally Posted by 118 (original)

I have the same rattly sound occaisionally when its really cold in the morning - haven't read right through all the posts, but did you get a resolution?? thanks

I'm starting to think there is more than one scenario going on here. First, we have those complaining that their engine can be noisy when it is cold. In some cases, based on the videos posted, this seems to be at idle as well as when revving. In my case, if the car hasn't been driving for a couple of days and it's been around freezing, it can be a little noisy as it approaches 2000rpm, but sounds perfectly normal at idle. The sound is similar to what has been posted in the videos, but it's difficult to say if it is the same noise. It goes away after the engine has warmed up (usually takes about two to three minutes). My previous car's engine also became noisy under the same conditions, and took about the same time to sound normal, though it only became noticable around 2500 rpm. At this point, I'm not particularly concerned since my engine doesn't have 'it' as severe as others here. It's plausible that whatever is causing the noise in my engine occasionally is the same thing causing others to have the diesel sound, only for some reason theirs is more severe. Now, we also have at least one person whose engine makes a similar sound in all weather conditions, which isn't consistent with what others have posted. Is it the same noise? We might have two or three different problems in this thread (normal cold engine sounds, cam chain or another part of the engine being starved of oil causing a similar yet more severe sound, and oil frothing), but no explanations have been confirmed.

I'll be continuing to listen closely to my engine throughout the winter, which is only just beginning.

[caesar]

Bishamon is correct about a number of scenarios, but there is no doubt there is a problem which requires a solution!

It would be interesting to know if Peugeot owners with the same engine are having this 'noise'.

[118]

definately - just about to give my dealer a call about getting a couple of other minor things checked, so will mention this to them. it's only done it a few times in the last 8 months that I've owned the car though

[DerekH]

Hi Deanliv will await your news re next fix, i am fed up doing the searching for answers Mini are very slow sorting this out IMHO

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Bishamon is correct about a number of scenarios, but there is no doubt there is a problem which requires a solution!

It would be interesting to know if Peugeot owners with the same engine are having this 'noise'.

caesar,

From my earlier post I have this engine in my 207CC albeit 150bhp and have no problems regarding noisy running. The engine was a little tappety curiously once it warmed up when new but I have noticed now its gone quieter with a few miles on it. I have spoken to fellow CC owners on Pug forums and also my local dealer regarding noisy engine probs and it doesn't seem to have surfaced where this engine is used. Its strange why it seems to be affecting the MCS only Have to say when driving this engine is very smooth and refined in the 207, unsure how MCS owners are finding it from inside the cabin?

[118]

my S is going in on Friday so will see what they say - will report back

[TTMCS]

It can get very cold here in Alberta, Canada so I was a bit anxious to go away for 4 days and have to leave my car on the driveway throughout. However, had no problem despite the overnight getting down to -20c once or twice. This morning however I started my MCS R56 and the yellow Check Engine symbol came up immediately. Temp was about -18c. I let the car run for 5 minutes, got in and the light was still on. Drove off carefully and after about 3 minutes the light went out. I'm now booked in for an inspection but they can't get me in till January!!

[brgc00perboy]

Car booked in for three days on the 12th. I have emailed an update to Elms Cambridge and MINI UK regarding status of current issues.