[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by brgc00perboy (original)

I have emailed an update to Elms Cambridge and MINI UK regarding status of current issues.

Nicely done! Very organinzed and specific to the issues you are experiencing and the resolution that you would like to see. I may be stealing that idea if/when mine goes back in for service. A+!

[Deanliv]

BMW are replacing the whole engine on mine now. The tech reps are aware of the problem and it occurs on early build MCS. Its caused by the variable valve timing, there were 2 options either to rebuild the cylinder head or replace the engine. Replacement unit is easiest so I will report further next week when i recieve it back.

[brgc00perboy]

Hi deanliv

Sounds like good news. How far did you have to go to get this sorted. Tech reps from BMW have not yet seen my car and it goes back to the dealer next week for more investigation and some other fixes. What dealer are you currently using? Did they explain in any more detail about the problem?

Cheers

Paul

[118]

just got mine back from the dealer - they are replacing the chain tensioner next Friday so fingers crossed this will fix my problem. will keep you posted!

[Deanliv]

Chain tensioner doesnt do much. Dealer is Williams in Manchester, Ive found them very good and extremly helpful in deed. I suppose you have to let the dealers go through the motions, new tensioner, new cam lifters then like i did, keep taking it back, take recording on your phone, play them to your dealer, stress a modern engine should not be sounding like this ask them to go back to BMW for further assistance. Everything has to be carried out to BMW instructions for the dealers to put the warrenty claim in i think. BMW tech rep said they have seen the problem before and it orignates from the cyinder head, valves and variable timing. I had two options either to re build the cylinder head to incorporate the modificatiosns of the new wngines which include new valves, timing chain, cams lifters or other option replace the engine with the modified cylinder head. Apparently its the early MCS that are giving the problems.

[Richard Korby]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

Chain tensioner doesnt do much. Dealer is Williams in Manchester, Ive found them very good and extremly helpful in deed. I suppose you have to let the dealers go through the motions, new tensioner, new cam lifters then like i did, keep taking it back, take recording on your phone, play them to your dealer, stress a modern engine should not be sounding like this ask them to go back to BMW for further assistance. Everything has to be carried out to BMW instructions for the dealers to put the warrenty claim in i think. BMW tech rep said they have seen the problem before and it orignates from the cyinder head, valves and variable timing. I had two options either to re build the cylinder head to incorporate the modificatiosns of the new wngines which include new valves, timing chain, cams lifters or other option replace the engine with the modified cylinder head. Apparently its the early MCS that are giving the problems.

So should everyone with early builds sell as soon as possible before everyone knows and they become untouchable ?By the way ,I'm on my way to Carmax right now to see what they will give me for mine .

[Bishamon]

After about two weeks without incident, my Mini made the noise again today. This time the temperature had dropped to around -2 Celsius while I was at work, and the car sat for around 8.5 to 9 hours in the parking lot. This was the worst it has been yet, but it still didn't sound bad while idling, but as soon as I gave it any gas at all, around 1200rpm, it would start to get loud, and only became louder as it approached 2000rpm; I didn't rev any higher. I let it idle for around three minutes, and it was still there if I increased the revs... at four minutes, it was still there. Finally, after about five minutes I turned it off and back on... oddly enough, when the engine started and the tach hit 2500rpm+ (whatever it hits briefly when starting), it sounded normal, but again if I gave it much gas it would get loud, but not as loud, and now only at closer to 1800 or 2000rpm. It had become much more quiet, so I pulled out and started to dive. By now, about seven minutes (or more) had passed, and it was sounding pretty normal. I drove home without any probems.

I don't know what to think at this point.

[Deanliv]

Richard there not untouchable, they are great little cars, definitly not worth selling. Every car in this day and age has technical problems, thing is we are the guiny pigs of the latest model. The early build engines apparently had a design fault with the cylinder head seals therefore the oil wouldnt be retainied for start up. The new engine is in, running perfect, I knew the moment it fired up it was perfect, no clatter clatter like in the old engine. So those having the clatter sound at startup maybe worth getting back to your dealer and requesting a new engine with the modified seals in the cylinder head.

[specky 1]

My new engine has been in for a good few weeks now and is just 40 miles off being run in.
NOT A RATTLE IN SIGHT....OR SOUND YET. Car is fantastic.

[Deanliv]

Its good news isnt it, Finally there is a resoloution. Other mini owners, rcord the clatter on your phone, request a new engine.

Ive just done 400 miles on the new engine since Tue, been keeping it to under 3,000 RPM driving lightly, mainly all m/way sat on crusie at 60mph. How many miles is considered enough before you can start opening the taps on her??

[caesar]

I have only had the 'clatter' once on my June 07 build MCS, and that occurred when it was parked overnight on the steep drive leading down to the garage instead of being in the garage.

The noise was audible when I rev'd to reverse up the drive, and stopped once it was on a level surface. The following morning I let the engine tick-over for a couple of minutes before reversing and the noise has not occurred since !

In view of the remark " only early engines are effected" does not appear to be consistent with the problem I have described above.

Would appreciate members comments.

[specky 1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

Its good news isnt it, Finally there is a resoloution. Other mini owners, rcord the clatter on your phone, request a new engine.

Ive just done 400 miles on the new engine since Tue, been keeping it to under 3,000 RPM driving lightly, mainly all m/way sat on crusie at 60mph. How many miles is considered enough before you can start opening the taps on her??

In book it says that 1250 milos under 4500 rpm or 100 mph. Just openin mi monster up now little by little! But its cryin out for more all the time ! It just wants to GO all the time. Its an animal if SPORT button's on.

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

The early build engines apparently had a design fault with the cylinder head seals therefore the oil wouldnt be retainied for start up. So those having the clatter sound at startup maybe worth getting back to your dealer and requesting a new engine with the modified seals in the cylinder head.

It would be very helpful if you posted exactly what your service invoice says. If MINI, via one of their dealerships, is acknowledging a known fault, knows how to fix it and has acknowledged changing the manufacturing process to address the issue it would be helpful for other owners to know SPECIFICLLY what they said. Even more helpful would be what they put in writing.

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

Its good news isnt it, Finally there is a resoloution. Other mini owners, rcord the clatter on your phone, request a new engine.

Sorry, but 500 miles means nothing. 5000 will be looking promicing. When you're at 10,000 miles with no clatter, I'd consider it a likley fix. Some owners have gone several thousand miles before this issue ever popped up.

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

In view of the remark " only early engines are effected" does not appear to be consistent with the problem I have described above.

Exactly. There are older and newer builds showing the same symptoms. Dealers have done cam chains... hydralic lifters... valve guides... installed "no-return valves" to keep oil in the engine for start-up... and numerous other things to address this problem. Some have worked tempararily. Others... had no effect whatsoever.

I sincerely HOPE things are getting sorted. But like I said, without specifics, combined with some proof that they've changed some manufacturing process to officially solve the issue... well, I'm pessimistic.

[Deanliv]

Apparently the new engines have a new type of seals in the cylinder head. I do some 2000 miles per month so only time will tell, Ill report further if I run into any problems.

[msh441]

Awwwwww, CRAP! I'm bring mine in again next week. The rattly start-up has occurred now twice this week. I'm not a happy camper (not furious, just disapointed. Ya-know?). Here's a copy of what I wrote the dealer. Hopefully that take me seriously and look into it again. Based on the fact that they heard it in October, I hope they look into this and give it the attention it deserves:

Greetings,

I'm experiencing a HORRIBLE engine rattle on 1 out of 20 cold starts. Usually occurring after a short trip after the engine has had the opportunity to cool completely. Please understand I'm not confusing this with the constant noise of the Direct Fuel Injection clicking away... I clearly understand that is a NORMAL noise. I'm talking about a rattle that sounds like my valves are getting ground to pieces and my cam chain is going to jump some teeth and knock a hole in the engine block. The rattling goes away after a few minutes as the engine warms up... but during that period of time, IT SOUNDS TERRIBLE!!!

It happened to me a couple-dozen times before getting it into the dealer in October. At that time it got progressivly worse up until that appointment (increasing in both duration and frequency). During that visit the cam chain tensioner was replaced after finding the piston was not getting enough oil on start-up. Since then its come back. Again sounds like its coming from the chain tensioner/head area. I don't want to wait until it's happening during every start-up or lasting 5-minutes before dissipating.

I think this matter should be given a relativly high priority as it appears other MINI drivers are experiencing a similar issue as reported on North American Motoring and MINI2 websites. Some deler techs (via owners online) have suggested that the issue could be frothing oil not allowing for the proper operation of cam chain tensioner and hydralic lifters. Others have suggested bad valve guides or a certain seal in the head itself. Whatever the cause, I'm very concerned about future valve train damage if this issue is not addressed once and for all.

I will attempt to have a current video ready, or I can provide you with a link to a series of videos online documenting what I am attempting to describe here. Any research and assistance would be greatly appreciated. I truley love this car... but due to the unpredictability and sheer VOLUME of this issue, I'm truely afraid the engine is going to be severely damaged in some way if the cause of this issue is not found and addressed.

Thank you.

Mike H

Wish me luck!

[Martin F]

I have been noticing this noise on recent cold mornings on start up but it soon goes away.

Has anyone yet produced any evidence that it causes any more serious problems?

Should I be concerned about it?

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Martin F (original)

I have been noticing this noise on recent cold mornings on start up but it soon goes away.

Has anyone yet produced any evidence that it causes any more serious problems?

Should I be concerned about it?

I have not noticed any threads where the engine has been damaged as a result of the noise, but obviously it's not something to be complacent about

If you are experiencing this noise then make sure the oil level is OK, otherwise if the engine is damaged and the oil level was low BMW could say it was due to owners negligence.

[Martin F]

I check the oil level regularly and have never allowed it to get too low.

[caesar]

Hi Martin F,

As a matter of interest when was your MCS built, and what is the current mileage ?

[Martin F]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Hi Martin F,

As a matter of interest when was your MCS built, and what is the current mileage ?

November 2006 and 9000 miles.

It made this noise once or twice last winter so it seems to be related to cold conditions. But the car has run really well all year, which is why I wonder whether I should get myself stressed about it and start making a fuss with the dealer with endless visits, loan cars etc.

If it is an early warning sign of sudden engine failure that would be a different matter but so far it seems to be an unexpectedly loud rattle which lasts for a short time after certain cold starts. And nobody seems to have reported any serious consequences so far as I can tell.