MCS Engine noise when cold

[CC07ERS]

Glad you got a result specky

[CC07ERS]

Glad you got a result specky

[specky 1]

@ Sheri. Thanks for that. Nice to here from you. I'm planning on writing a letter and sending it off to Mini UK......just as soon as the novelty of having a WORKS MCS wears off a bit. Not stopped smilin yet. I get mixed responses from some people....some say i'm daft for staying with my car. Some say i should have DEMANDED a new one and quite a few said GET YOUR MONEY BACK.
In my opinion "I've" made the right decision. If i live to regret it, then...... thats my fault. If your ever in Yorkshire, i'll gladly take you for a blast in Sulley to help you stop feelin sad. We are havin a weekend away to Edinburgh in December so this should help to run him in. All the best...... SPECKSTER.

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by specky 1 (original)

I'm planning on writing a letter and sending it off to Mini UK......just as soon as the novelty of having a WORKS MCS wears off a bit. Not stopped smilin yet. I get mixed responses from some people....some say i'm daft for staying with my car. Some say i should have DEMANDED a new one and quite a few said GET YOUR MONEY BACK.
In my opinion "I've" made the right decision. If i live to regret it, then...... thats my fault.

I know exactly what you mean. I've had the cam chain tensioner replaced so far. The raucous rattle returned once... ever-so briefly (about 15-20 seconds). My heart pretty much sank.

I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the car on the whole. The JCW engine kit rocks! I think I've just come to the conclusion that I will fix what comes up through the warranty period... pray a long-term fix developes during that time... and failing that, keep the option open for a JCW Stage III (or whatever it's called at that time) in 2012.

[CooperS-indiblue]

Well finally someone with the same problem. My car also makes that strange noise. My dealer doesn't know what it is, or what to do. Also they have to hear the noise live, so a video didn't do it for them. I made 2 video's from my Cooper S after he already warms up for 5 minutes:

1.

MINI Cooper S R56 5 minuten na starten

2.

MINI Cooper S R56 na 5 minuten warm draaien

My car is a January 30th and it makes this noise for a few months. Not every time when I start it, but mainly when it is raining or has rained. Very strange! It is scary to drive away. I hope they can solve it quickly!

[caesar]

Sounds like either the timing or cam chain is rattling. This could be due the chain tensioner is not working correctly because: -

a) It's faulty
b) Your oil level is low so it's not getting sufficient oil pressure to function properly

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS-indiblue (original)

Well finally someone with the same problem. My car also makes that strange noise. My dealer doesn't know what it is, or what to do.

OMG! Turn it off! Ouch!

Yes that's EXACTLY what mine sounded like and it turned out to be the tensioner (no oil in the piston). It was replaced under warranty. Noise popped up again, though (once, ever-so briefly). So I fear the tesniner failure might be a symptom of another problem in the oil circut itself.

[CC07ERS]

Mine done this aswell , its scary to think ist a new car doing this

[Deanliv]

Well the problem is cured!!

1st Visit te deale replaced the cm tensioner. THIS DIDNOT CURE THE PROBLEM,

2nd Visit my car had to the dealer, BMW advised to replace the hydraulic lifters. THIS HAS CURED THE PROBLEM!!!!

Replacing the hydraulic lifters has certainly cured the rattle tapping noise on start up which indicates either a bad batch of hydraulic lifters or they are quite simply wearing out most likely due to material quality. I cover 600miles per week so as soon as the noise comes back it will be back at the dealer. I feel that this problem is getting closer to being resolved for other Mini owners.

[specky 1]

[quote=Deanliv;3223889]Well the problem is cured!!

1st Visit te deale replaced the cm tensioner. THIS DIDNOT CURE THE PROBLEM,

2nd Visit my car had to the dealer, BMW advised to replace the hydraulic lifters. THIS HAS CURED THE PROBLEM!!!!

Replacing the hydraulic lifters has certainly cured the rattle tapping noise on start up which indicates either a bad batch of hydraulic lifters or they are quite simply wearing out most likely due to material quality. I cover 600miles per week so as soon as the noise comes back it will be back at the dealer. I feel that this problem is getting closer to being resolved for other Mini owners.[/QUOTE)

Glad you've got it sorted. Not the best situation to be in. Word of warning though...... new lifters did JACK on my car !!!!! Hope, like you say "Bad batch" is or was the problem.

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

I feel that this problem is getting closer to being resolved for other Mini owners.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Doing the cam-chain tensioner has worked for me, at least tempararily. I'll suggest lifters to my dealer if the problem returns with any frequency.

I just pray they get it sorted once-and-for-all within the warranty period. It's such an awsome car otherwise...

[Bishamon]

My car made a similar noise this morning, but not right away at start up. I hadn't driven since last Thursday, and the temperature in the garage was around 3 celsius this morning (barely above freezing). I started it up, and it sounded normal at idle. Backing down the driveway it sounded normal, but pulling away as the engine hit about 2000 rpm, it became very loud and noisy. Keeping it at very low revs it sounded fine, but again in second gear it became loud as it hit 2000rpm. I have had quite a few mornings so far with similar temperatures and not had any issues, but the weather has been getting colder, and will hit much colder temperatures regularly as we head into winter.

I'm not sure if I should be overly concerned yet; my previous vehicle (a 2002 Toyota Corolla purchased new and owned for six years) used to get a little loud when it was cold (though not quite as loud, and at slightly higher engine speeds). It didn't even have to be this cold and it would become noisy around 2500rpm until the engine warmed up, and then it would go away. Apart from that issue, my Corolla was completely problem free for just over six years. Tomorrow I will let the Mini warm up for a bit before starting to drive and I'll see if I have any unusual noise, but the weather is actually due to warm up several degrees over the next few days, so I may not have an issue regardless.

[caesar]

Bishamon.......Had exactly the same problem with my July 07 MCS when I parked on the driveway overnight, instead of in the garage (see my earlier threads on this topic).

The driveway slopes down towards the garage at an angle of approx 30 degrees. To stop it occuring I let the engine tick over for 2-3 minutes, then gently reverse up the slope.

I suggest you try this, and also check the engine oil level as per the Owners Handbook.

[brgc00perboy]

hello all

I have an April 2007 MCS and over the past two months numerous problems have occured, the two main ones being the gearbox/clutch grinding problem and the tractor type noise during cold starts form the engine.

A month ago i took it to the dealer (Elms MINI Cambridge) and they changed the timing chain tensioner as per PUMA recommendation. This seemed to solve the problem for a couple of weeks (although there was still a faint knocking when cold) but unfourtunatley the sound has returned.

In my experience it has occured when the car has been standing outside on the drive instead of the garage coupled with cold and damp/wet conditions.

Now I'm wondering what to do. Could it be that the tensioner has started to fail again. I'm not so sure that this is problem and it is kind of weird that it occurs only when wet. The vibration as stated in earlier replies to this thread occurs at the 2k rpm level. Could it be heatshield related?

Looks like I am going to have to book her in again for a another few days which is great. I really love all the time i have to spend trying to get these problems sorted NOT.

I am definatley going to remember to mention the lifters as possible problem as stated earlier in this thread. So far after the first vist for three days to Elms MINI Cambridge three weeks ago:

1. storage compartment rattle - replaced and fitted
2. gearbox grinding and difficulty selecting 2nd from 1st and 3rd - bedding in for clutch carried out but still not fixed in my book as its is still diffult to select 2nd
3. chatter from clutch trust plate bearing - not fixed
4. tractor noise from engine when cold - timing chain tension changed but noise has returned
5. noise from top of windscreen - windscreen re-fitted

I then had to book her in again because the wind screen was not fittled correctly. Got her back and noticed that the roof rainfall rubber above rthe drivers rear quarter were all pushed in from replacing the windscreen. Then over the past week the dash has developed a nasty rattle post windcreen replacement. The car is now due in on the 27th next week to get the rubbers and rattle sorted.

So after this week I will have to book her in AGAIN for the forth time to try and get some of these major mechanical issue sorted. How many chances to these guys need as I am really getting hacked off. Its such a great car but I want a drivet rain that sounds like its going to last the disatnce and not just 20K

Here is a video of the engine noise problem

YouTube - R56 Mini Cooper S Engine Noise When Cold

Pablo

[caesar]

brgc00perboy.........that video of the engine noise is very distressing, no wonder you are worried.

It would be a good idea if you could send a copy to BMW Mini.

As regards the noisy windscreen, had the same problem with my July 07 MCS when driving at 70 mph or higher during the summer. Since the cooler weather it has stopped, I have posted a few threads on this titled "Wind Noise" and other owners have the same problem.