MCS Engine noise when cold

[caesar]

Hi Bardot,

There are approx' 1300 posts on this topic, you really need to look back through them.

Basically BMW/MINI are aware of the problem and different fixes are/will be available depending on the build date i.e. engines built before 01-05-07 and after. Visit your Dealer and ask them to read PuMA Measure 10686850 this contains all the information.

Although the 'noise' is annoying there have been no cases of engine damage as a result. The 'noise' is acoustic ..........the timing chain rattling against the guides. From what I understand the 'fix' for early build engines involves replacement of the chain, sprockets and tensioner. Later build engines just requre the fitting of a new spring loaded tensioner to replace the current oil pressure operated tensioner........which will be available this month.

[bardot]

Hello Caesar:

I'm sorry - but do not think all is as resolved as you intimate. A casual perusal of many sites shows the same 'help is just a fix away' refrain. Please - since the beginning of 07 and even late 06 as first r-56 cars were produced people were complaining about this issue. On Mini North America, we have the same sort of reports from 09 mini 'S' owners. If the factory knows what the problem is -why are they still producing engines ...with the problem?

You know -if it wasn't sad it would be comical. To look through the good faith efforts of owners -on these forums for almost two years now - as they attempt to accurately describe this noise - which is just god awful. With all respect - most Mini Owners are not hell bent on spending their days reading through the minutia of the documentation - replete with video - of the S car sounding like a cement mixer - with the repeated refrain that we are only one cam tensioner away from a fix. The factory should be searching us out - and calling us in to have this problem made right.

Sorry, Caesar - I appreciate your response - but just so I know who I am talking with -are you a BMW or Mini representative?

[mike ken]

i have been waiting for this fix for 5 mounths still no news yet

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by bardot (original)

Hello Caesar:



Sorry, Caesar - I appreciate your response - but just so I know who I am talking with -are you a BMW or Mini representative?

Neither......I work in the UK Financial Services Industry.

I'm sorry to hear you did not appreciate my reply, but at least you have some good information to act on. Suggest you put pressure on your Dealer.

[S8RAH]

I've got to say I'm still to be convinced that MINI have got to the bottom of this issue.
Mainly because my last car had all the 'fixes' installed but still rattled like a tractor whereas others of the same/similar age just had a bit of tinkering and are now problem free. Added to that, not all MCS's develop the noise.
I would love to think that these Dec release parts (which are still not available & the factory is now shut) will put everyone out of their misery but I'm not holding my breath.
At least one contributor to this thread has had a serious failure of the timing chain and my dealers said that there were now reports of unusual top end wear (no idea what that means, I'm a girl!) probably caused by lack of oil- there may be no connection & I don't want to be the prophet of doom but makes ya think.....

[caesar]

Top end wear is normally associated with the valves and piston heads. If these are worn then it's not a difficult task to replace them.

However I have not seen any threads on this forum where this was necessary

[bardot]

Caesar:
You're a gentleman. Lets hope you are more right than I.

Barry

John Cleese (Fawlty Towers) drove a Mini in the show by the way. When it made bad sounds he hit it with a branch.

[caesar]

John Cleese (Fawlty Towers) drove a Mini in the show by the way. When it made bad sounds he hit it with a branch.[/quote]



Hi Barry........already tried that but it just scratched the paintwork

Seriously though my MCS is a June 07 build........I get the 'noise' occasionally if the car is parked facing down the slope leading to the garage. If the 'noise' occurs then I turn off the engine wait a few seconds and restart.....it's OK

This is the only time I have the problem (fortunately), but nevertheless I would like to stop it happening. I took the matter up with dealer who stated that they had not heard of this. I was not satisfied so wrote to Mini Customer Services with the engine and chassis number and about the problem. Mini replied stating they would contact the dealer and I would hear from them.
The Dealer then wrote a semi apologetic letter stating they had logged my complain about the problem on their system, and would notify me when they heard from BMW/MINI.

This all took place in September 08........since then I have hear nothing further. I intend to take the matter up again after Xmas.

[S8RAH]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Top end wear is normally associated with the valves and piston heads. If these are worn then it's not a difficult task to replace them.

However I have not seen any threads on this forum where this was necessary

Not difficult maybe but doubtless incredibly expensive-- OK it probably won't bother us but I pity the poor sap who buys an early R56 MCS out of warranty and finds they have a potentially pricey repair.
MINI should not only fix the noise but also do some preliminary checks on the engines.
I was going to stick with mine until the dealers told me about the engine wear (in fairness, they did offer to replace the engine) but when I found out about this I decided to bail rather than hang on to a car which would doubtless, knowing my luck , fail at 37 months. There were other problems with mine which where proving impossible to diagnose, they may have clouded my judgement somewhat.

By the way, you're right, the stick thing doesn't work, tried it

[mike ken]

spoke to my dealer today have told me that the new part has been ordered
hope this will fix it
should have new part on car next week

[dr Dunkel]

Any PuMA on that?

[mike ken]

yes

[dr Dunkel]

Care to elaborate?

[mike ken]

my dealer told me they have followed the puma today and the new part has been ordered

[dr Dunkel]

That is great news, should there be a new PuMA then we will soon be getting confirmation that there in fact is a fix.