Hi

Basically i recently have been experiencing some Issues with my Mini JCW GP

ive had the car since July 2011 and have had no problems until a a week ago, it started with a very loud rattling noise from the left side of the engine, so i thought at first id see on google if anyone else had this problem, and found quite a few people have. one person wrote to check oil level with i did only to find the oil was basically empty nothing on the dipstick... i thought this was strange as i only filled it up a few weeks before, so i topped it back up with about 3 litres until it was showing on the dipstick 3/4 on the dipstick... anyway the noise did not go straight away i drove to a train station for work which is about 5 minute drive away when i got back from work the car had stopped making the noise which i thought was a result...

then about 20 miles later it started rattling again i checked the oil again and it had gone considerably low considering how much i put in a few days ago, i then filled it it so the oil was at the top of the dipstick, ive drove the car a few times since and when the engine reaches normal hot temperature i can smell burning oil, there is no smoke and no leaks (just had a new driveway layed so definately no leaks as i think my dad would have something to say lol)

i was going to get a timing chain tensioner as a lot of people say this and as its a reasonably easy job and apparently cheap i figured i would try, only thing is i cant find the part anywhere to buy :(...

also i have been getting a slight lack of power for a month or two, at one point it seemed to be back to full power like when i bought it for a few days, but now it has gone back to lack of power again :(

does anybody know why this is, hope you can help thanks :)