[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Boro Boy (original)

Thanks brgc00perboy.

Someone else I see suggesting the use of a different grade of oil:

"... I would get some nice thick oil & do an oil change & leave as is. Nissans engines are known to have rattling timing chains ..."

I know there are MINI2 members who are 'oil experts' ... have any of you any views on using more viscous oil and how this may have adverse effects on the engine, and affect the warranty?

Cheers.

The higher the viscosity means thicker oil and vice versa. In cold climates the oil needs to be thinner so it will circulate quicker, and warm climates need thicker oil. Therefore you should follow the instructions in the Handbook regarding the recommended grade of oil to use.

[Bluebabe]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

The higher the viscosity means thicker oil and vice versa. In cold climates the oil needs to be thinner so it will circulate quicker, and warm climates need thicker oil. Therefore you should follow the instructions in the Handbook regarding the recommended grade of oil to use.

Just been cruisin the "Car Bibles^ engine oil bible. Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

It literally explains everything about oil!

Is there a possibility that BMW/MINI have got their engine oil wrong for this engine?

Please spank me if I am being very dim!!!

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluebabe (original)

Just been cruisin the "Car Bibles^ engine oil bible. Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

It literally explains everything about oil!

Is there a possibility that BMW/MINI have got their engine oil wrong for this engine?

Please spank me if I am being very dim!!!

A good question Bluebabe with no definitive answer.

The oil BMW/MINI recommend is Castrol Edge 5W-30. The alternative is 0W-30 which has a lower viscosity and is more suitable for colder climates. There have been a number of posts here and on NAM where owners have changed to 0W-30 and the 'noise' has ceased.

Castrol are a very reputable company and so are BMW !

[Bluebabe]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluebabe (original)

Just been cruisin the "Car Bibles^ engine oil bible. Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

It literally explains everything about oil!

Is there a possibility that BMW/MINI have got their engine oil wrong for this engine?

Please spank me if I am being very dim!!!

The above links to a very long info page on oil. Around halfway down "checking the engine oil and topping up" it has a piece about overfilling with oil and some of its causes, one being aeration of the oil, "frothing" from being in contact with the crank. Which is quite interesting as this would cause a lack of lubrication due to the air and consequently rapid engine wear!

If you read the whole link you really do start to try and find cures for our problem. Well I mean I don't have the problem yet! .....Haven't even picked up my R56 yet! ........I must be getting paranoid! ...have even considered cancelling my order!! ... ... But not for long. lol!

[kevkbuk]

Just wanted to let everyone know that R56 Mini Cooper S now seems to be working ok.

[Berthil]

I have put up a Dutch registration form up on the NewMINIclub.nl website:
Koude Start Probleem R56 MINI Cooper S :: Rapportageformulier

Please fill in the form if you are Dutch and have the cold start problem.

On of our members will communicate all reports to MINI Netherlands to be stronger as a group as opposed to an individual.

[Boro Boy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluebabe (original)

Just been cruisin the "Car Bibles^ engine oil bible. Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

It literally explains everything about oil!

Is there a possibility that BMW/MINI have got their engine oil wrong for this engine?

Please spank me if I am being very dim!!!

Thanks for that, Bluebabe (for the link, not the offer to receive a spanking)

There was some explanation of SAEs, but I'm still somewhat unclear about what all the figures relate to. Some members have suggested that a thinner oil (at a given temp) will circulate quicker in an engine started from cold, and if it is indeed oil starvation that is the root cause of this problem, then the thinner the oil the better? The problem is then that it might be too thin when the engine is hot?? Too many questions here, sorry!

[Bluebabe]

Quote: Originally Posted by Boro Boy (original)

Thanks for that, Bluebabe (for the link, not the offer to receive a spanking)

There was some explanation of SAEs, but I'm still somewhat unclear about what all the figures relate to. Some members have suggested that a thinner oil (at a given temp) will circulate quicker in an engine started from cold, and if it is indeed oil starvation that is the root cause of this problem, then the thinner the oil the better? The problem is then that it might be too thin when the engine is hot?? Too many questions here, sorry!

Not surprised it is a lot to take in! Lets see if i got it right..The first number refers to the weight of the oil ie; thickness, but also the viscosity or how much it thins as it warms up.( the higher the number the thicker the oil.) The second number I beleive refers to the ambient temperature that the viscosity works when oil is warm. Which I also beleive is possibly why when some people have changed from the 5w-30 to the 0-w30 (Now Amended) their noise symptoms seemed to have subsided.

The Oil Bible also gives other areas of concern ie. phosphorus content within the oil. It seems that due to ecological considerations phosphorus has been reduced within the oils. This is good for the environment but bad for valve train components as they wear out quicker.

It also states another scenario where overfilling will bring the level of oil into contact with the crank and create frothing which adds air into the oil. This also is a bad thing as air is a bad lubricant and therefore reduces the oil lubrication properties.

An expert second opinion would be very welcome at this time. I'm off to spank myself back to normal now!!

[caesar]

Hi Bluebabe

There is an error in your statement ! Owners who have changed from 5W-30 to 0W-30 have noticed a reduction in the noise. You had it the other way around.....you will have to spank yourself

[caesar]

This is a new site specifically for R56 MCS owners who have the 'noise' problem. It has been mentioned in earlier threads this week, but unfortunately you could register but could not post due to a problem, this has now been resolved.

Here is the link: -

R56 Mini Cooper S;

You need to register then answer the question about your problem, it's pre-formatted so quite easy to do. Navigation of the site takes a while (at least for me) to understand compared with this Forum.

I would urge members of this Topic to give their support as it's the only way we can put pressure on BMW to do something. NAM MCS have a similar method but they are a long way away.

[Martin F]

What a badly organised website. But I managed to post my details in the end.

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Martin F (original)

What a badly organised website. But I managed to post my details in the end.

I'm glad somebody else agrees with me

Of the people who have registered so far 57% have the noise at least once per week

[Washy]

I have taken to driving more 'dynamically'

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

I have taken to driving more 'dynamically'

Joking apart, you might well have made a good point. Possibly we are too caring

Sports Button on all the time

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Joking apart, you might well have made a good point. Possibly we are too caring

Sports Button on all the time

Hasn't actually cured the rattle though....
Just so annoying as if they could sort this my car would be perfect .....I have really got attched to this one.

[zyo]

With reference to how many owners have the noise at least once a week, I could hear it every day if I left my car on the slope of the drive..it's that predicatable if left on a slope...but the dealer couldn't replicate it. Surely you could just leave the back of the car on axle stands to replicate it being on a slope. I have recorded it on my little 4 track recorder now I'm just waiting to get a 'normal sounding engine ' for comparison and then I'll pop it on a CD for the dealer.
Does this sound like everybody elses because whilst I have had the noise an a cold morning it is definately the parking on a slope that causes it?

[MJS]

I don't know, mine has been at its worst whilst parked in a flat garage overnight! Infact coming to think about it, 95% of times have been in the garage!

I haven't heard it once this week on the new engine, if you don't count Saturday morning and sunday night....
Saying that nearly everyday here has been above 10˙C this week.
I just hope there is a fix that comes out very soon because if the weather carries on like it is there is no chance of the noise coming back unless we have another cold spell....

Before we know it, it will be summer and the noise will have stopped, we will have "forgotten" about it and then when it comes back in the colder weather towards the end of the year it will come back with vengeance and we will all be a further 6 months out of warranty.....

[drb5]

Hmmm, now i'm confused!

Just seen Kevkbuk's video on youtube and that doesn't sound like the noise i get! Mine is purely tappy, like something i loose in the engine...

[caesar]

[quote=zyo;3412214]With reference to how many owners have the noise at least once a week, I could hear it every day if I left my car on the slope of the drive..it's that predicatable if left on a slope...


Ditto with mine ZYO... but dependent on how long it's been parked there. Could not guarantee it would occur every time. It also does it occasionally if parked overnight in the garage. In both scenarios switching off and restarting stops the noise.

[caesar]

It's the oil......5W-30.

Change to 0W-30 and the noise will stop. Alternatively use a 50/50 mix of the two during the warm weather.