[weepuk]

I have noted the various comments about this noise and have read Tom at MMMC's post.
Unfortunately I have had the same problem with my R56 MCS. Although I had the problem wither the weather was hot or cold and even when I had been out in it ,stopped briefly and then restarted the engine. (Feb 07 build)
I had taken the car to the dealership where I had purchased it .Who informed me there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Unsatisfied with this response I took it to an alternative dealership. They retained the vehicle for 3 weeks due to trying to get the parts and refit the full cylinder head. A list of items replaced are as follows.

Cylinder Head
Inlet Camshaft
Outlet Camshaft
Roller Drag Lever (16 of)
Hdr. Valve pushrod (16 of)
Repair kit valve seal ring
set bolt cylinder head
torx bolt (part number 11367545863)
torx bolt (Part number 11367536087)
Cylinder head gasket
set of profile gaskets (part number 11127572851)
vacuum pump
gasket, oil pan
gasket W/heat prot. shield
profile gasket (4 of) (part number 11617528340)
set of sealing and fastening parts (4 of)
profile-gasket (part number 11537548658)
gasket ring (4 of) (part number 07119963151)
gasket ring (4 of) (part number 07119963201)
valve collet (22 of)
set oil-filter element

(I have added part numbers for items of the same name in case anyone thought it was a duplication this is taken from a list supplied by the dealership who fitted them.)

Followed by a 100 mile roadtest.

I haven't had the noise since but I have no faith that it is now fixed for good as I have been waiting for 8 weeks now for an actual explanation of what the problem was and why so many components had to be replaced. All I have been told so far is that I had a leaking cylinder head although the oil had been checked and the level was fine and there was no traces of oil or smell of oil.

The car now has a relatively loud tick at idle wither it is hot or cold or even when it has been used. Although I have been told that this is normal and I have heard it on others but don't remember it being as loud on my car before the problem.

This is probably the most serious of the 10 problems I have had some cosmetic ie interior panels rattling, Sunroof blinds and panels squeaking, Rubber rear window seal below spoiler coming loose, Chrome stripping on bonnet coming off, scuttle panel riding up.

Window not returning properly when door shut leave a gap when closed.
2 electrical faults - flashed up warning lights, other flashed up warning lights and said to contact dealer at not move vehicle. Both rectified on individual visits to garage by replace parts.

Some more annoying like a sunroof which doesn't open when its warm. This has had bits replaced on countless occasions over the last 13 months and has had the full sunroof replaced too and it still is not operating properly.

I've had my car since 01/03/07 and it has been in the garage for repair over 25 times. Most of which for the sunroof and the rear window seal.

I just thought I would share this because of the relevance to this post and the number of people commenting on it.

This is my third Mini and at the moment I wouldn't recommend one to anybody due to my lack of faith in the car I have.

[Tracie]

I think you have a good case for rejection, evan after 14 months of ownership.

[campfreddie]

New engine and 10,000 miles later and no rattle! Well when i say no rattle i mean no rattle from the engine. Obviously there are rattles from everything else!

I have sort of tuned out of this problem somewhat in the last few months or so but i am guessing not much headway has been made yet!

I think that weepuk's car like mine was built at 5.30pm on a Friday afternoon!

[caesar]

Years ago the Friday afternoon or Monday morning built car could have problems. Nowadays the are assembled by Robot's and in theory this should not apply..........unless one of the Robot's is faulty

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Years ago the Friday afternoon or Monday morning built car could have problems. Nowadays the are assembled by Robot's and in theory this should not apply..........unless one of the Robot's is faulty

Actually most of the assembly is still done by hand....(lots of robots in the body in white shop though.) It is well worthwhile getting on a factory tour as it really is fascinating especially the way they turn the cars over to work on the underneath...

[campfreddie]

Dont assembly line robots look forwards to a Friday night pint like everyone else then?

[S8RAH]

Two months and, apart from one heart stopping 5 seconds, the noise has not returned.
I'm dreading winter though, I'm convinced it will start again.

Smug (with some trepidation) of Blackburn

[taskmaxter]

Quote: Originally Posted by campfreddie (original)

Dont assembly line robots look forwards to a Friday night pint like everyone else then?

Thats what I always thought too

[Union Jacks]

my MCS is also 06 and was making a tapping noise on start up

took it to the dealer and they say the hydraulic tappits go through a self bleed process on start up - this maybe the noise your hearing as my car makes the same noise as yours occasionally on start-up.

it sounds like the noise your hearing is the bleed sequence amplified by the gentle revving of the engine.

[MJS]

Is everyone else all quiet with the warmer weather?

I've noticed its gone a lot quieter on this post recently....

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by MJS (original)

Is everyone else all quiet with the warmer weather?

I've noticed its gone a lot quieter on this post recently....

Yes noticed the same

Mine is occasionally making the noise when parked for a few hours facing down the driveway to garage. Turn off the engine and restart and it's OK !

How about your MCS ?

[Washy]

Mine is still doing it..... take it that no one had had a cure yet?

[118]

mine still does it too - going in on the 24th to be looked at again

[MJS]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

How about your MCS ?

Not really heard anything on mine but temperatures here haven't really dropped below 10˙C since march/april time so I wasn't really expecting anything until the colder months.

Anyway, about 2 weeks ago I agreed a "deal" with dealer and Mini. Basically I have rejected the car and have a replacement coming end of June at no cost to me

Both dealer and Mini have been very good and can't fault them on this one.

[kevkbuk]

Mine hasn't done it since the last visit to the dealer for the updated parts... waiting for winter though!

[caesar]

KEVBUK & MJS

Have your Dealers openly admitted there is a problem, and have they stated there is a definitive permanent 'fix' ??

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

KEVBUK & MJS

Have your Dealers openly admitted there is a problem, and have they stated there is a definitive permanent 'fix' ??

Yes, the problem was the timing chain being a little loose and rattling against plastic guides. There had been at least two revisions to the chain tensioner to solve it. The latest chain tensioner and several other components had to be back ordered from Germany at the time. According to Mini was car was 'over' repaired to be on the safe side. Whilst installing the new tensioner they replaced almost everything else the chain came into contact with totalling just over £1,000 worth of parts.

Others on this thread had the new components installed and the noise returned though!

Mini is aware this is an issue, who knows if they have fixed it or not. As I've mentioned before I won't be 100% happy until the car has seen another winter.

[MJS]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

KEVBUK & MJS

Have your Dealers openly admitted there is a problem, and have they stated there is a definitive permanent 'fix' ??

hmmm, good question....

they have heard the noise and they know that it doesn't sound right and I guess they know there is a problem because there is a "fix" for it.

I honestly don't think there is a definitive permanent fix for this or that Mini themselves know how to cure the problem, based on the experiences I have had.
If there was such a fix why have I had replaced all the timing parts available under the sun? a new engine? and now a new car?

hmmmm something somewhere isn't quite right. I don't think any company would go to all the trouble if there wasn't a huge underlying problem

what do you think?

[caesar]

That's the jackpot question MJS - and I don't know the answer

[Bishamon]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Yes noticed the same

Mine is occasionally making the noise when parked for a few hours facing down the driveway to garage. Turn off the engine and restart and it's OK !

How about your MCS ?

The noise been much less frequent with the warmer weather. It did make the noise very slightly the other day in 21 degree (Celsius) weather, but a restart made it go away.

Since MINI clearly hasn't discovered the source of the problem (at least, they certainly haven't yet found a solution), and as '08 owners have been reporting the same problem, I have been less concerned as of late.