5tubby
Aug 17th, 2012, 08:08 AM
06 Cooper S Factory Standard
Hi guys, I’m back. Thanks for all your advice regarding the head gasket. The garage put it right as a good will gesture in the end, with me only paying for recovery, oil and filter.
In the last few days it has started making a noise a bit like a diesel. I understand that that Timing Chain Tensioners are an issue, so much so that most feel they should have all been replaced under recall. It’s done about 45k now and there is no evidence of it having been done before. I have listened to YouTube videos illustrating the sound this would make and it is certainly similar. The noise seems to be originating on the drivers side of the engine. At cruising speed it becomes almost unnoticeable. And keeping the car at over 3k revs greatly reduces the noise. There is no noticeable loss in power, acceleration or fuel economy, it is just noisy, particularly at low speeds.
Contrary to the experience of others, it is not worse when cold. In fact I get about 4 miles before it starts to appear. This would make sense to me as things stretch when they get warm, ergo the tensioner is not doing it’s job. A lot of people say oil pressure is a factor here so I have topped it up to maximum with little effect.
So with all that in mind (sorry it’s so long, but I’m trying to be thorough) I have some questions.
Is it likely that it is the tensioner?
How much should I expect to pay to have it done?
Not by Mini, financially I’m on my arse at the moment, mostly because of this car.
After reading about this I understand that the part is about £30 and that most DIYers say it should take half an hour, however I have neither the tools, temperament nor experience. The instructions I have found online are not clear enough for me to feel confident undertaking this myself. So are there any competent DIYers in the Reading area who could confirm my amateur diagnosis and possibly help me replace the part? I would of course pay you, just not sure I can afford garage prices and I'm not sure I should continue using the car as normal until the end of the month.
Many thanks in advance.
Steve
P.S. I would really like to post on here without it being a rant or a question of help, the fecking car just won't give me time between problems. LOL
Hi guys, I’m back. Thanks for all your advice regarding the head gasket. The garage put it right as a good will gesture in the end, with me only paying for recovery, oil and filter.
In the last few days it has started making a noise a bit like a diesel. I understand that that Timing Chain Tensioners are an issue, so much so that most feel they should have all been replaced under recall. It’s done about 45k now and there is no evidence of it having been done before. I have listened to YouTube videos illustrating the sound this would make and it is certainly similar. The noise seems to be originating on the drivers side of the engine. At cruising speed it becomes almost unnoticeable. And keeping the car at over 3k revs greatly reduces the noise. There is no noticeable loss in power, acceleration or fuel economy, it is just noisy, particularly at low speeds.
Contrary to the experience of others, it is not worse when cold. In fact I get about 4 miles before it starts to appear. This would make sense to me as things stretch when they get warm, ergo the tensioner is not doing it’s job. A lot of people say oil pressure is a factor here so I have topped it up to maximum with little effect.
So with all that in mind (sorry it’s so long, but I’m trying to be thorough) I have some questions.
Is it likely that it is the tensioner?
How much should I expect to pay to have it done?
Not by Mini, financially I’m on my arse at the moment, mostly because of this car.
After reading about this I understand that the part is about £30 and that most DIYers say it should take half an hour, however I have neither the tools, temperament nor experience. The instructions I have found online are not clear enough for me to feel confident undertaking this myself. So are there any competent DIYers in the Reading area who could confirm my amateur diagnosis and possibly help me replace the part? I would of course pay you, just not sure I can afford garage prices and I'm not sure I should continue using the car as normal until the end of the month.
Many thanks in advance.
Steve
P.S. I would really like to post on here without it being a rant or a question of help, the fecking car just won't give me time between problems. LOL