Rattling noise from 2009 diesel Clubman - UPDATED

[MiniDeLux]

Okay, a little bit of history.

I have a 2009 Clubman with about 67,000km on it. Used primarily for highway driving with about a 70km daily round trip to work with little to no stop and start driving. I just had the water pump replaced and prior to that the timing belt was changed (in relation to the water pump service).

Lately the car has been making a rattling/knocking noise that has become quite noticeable - it is possible that this has been going on for quite some time as I was focused on the water pump noise. I can best describe it as a rattling noise that sounds like something deep in the engine is knocking - not unlike the noise of a sewing machine. This occurs at idle. When I push in the clutch at idle with the car in neutral, the noise diminishes considerable, although if I listen and ignore the normal diesel noise of the engine, I can still faintly hear it. When I let the clutch out, the rattle returns and is very loud - louder than the normal diesel clatter.

The car seems to run fine and shifting and changing gears are both smooth. Car has had all the scheduled services performed by the dealership. However, lately the noise seems to be getting worse.

I've read in other threads that 1st generation Minis seem to have suffered from a similar problem, but I haven't heard about 2nd generation Minis being affected by this.

Does anyone have any ideas of what this could be? I'm sure the car did not do this when it was new.

Also, I don't know if it's related or not, but sometimes on cold startup I hear a real slapping noise like two plates of metal clacking together that disappears after engine ignition. I wondered if somehow the two noises were related.

Any ideas would be highly appreciated!


UPDATE: This car is causing me frustration. The water pump was changed in July and now it's on its way out again. In addition to this, the rattling noise associated with the clutch is still ongoing. Could there be some underlying, common problem? The car has had all the scheduled services and I don't drive it hard. I can't understand how a water pump can fail again, only after barely 3 months.

Any help would be highly appreciated, as I'm getting discouraged since the car is now out of warranty.

[stead34]

just a couple of things to consider is the dual mass flywheel and the crank pulley......

[MiniDeLux]

Quote: Originally Posted by stead34 (original)

just a couple of things to consider is the dual mass flywheel and the crank pulley......

Thanks for the reply.

If it were flywheel chatter, wouldn't I also be hearing this under load or when increasing the rpms? When I give it a little gas (in neutral, clutch out) the noise disappears as well.

Think I'll have to take it in a diagnose it, although the dealership is good at telling me "it's normal".