R56 Cooper (Non S) Idle Noise ticking chattering when cold?

[miniblo]

Mini R56 non S cold idle ticking chattering noise...

I only just bought the car - it is a 2010 Cooper with 4000 miles on the clock and when cold it makes a ticking/chattering noise on idle.

It goes as soon as I press the throttle
It does't rise and fall in speed with the engine
It sounds like it is coming from the intake area of the engine
It is not the same metallic clunking noise that the MCS Timing Chains make

Once warmed up the car doesn't do it.

Any ideas please before I take it back to the dealer at the weekend?

[BlueBeastie]

Hey dude

Maybe the non S motor is just noisy on cold start up?

I think play it safe and take it back to the dealer. Even if its nothing to worry about, I'de rather have that peace of mind that they did have a look at it.

[miniblo]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueBeastie (original)

Hey dude

Maybe the non S motor is just noisy on cold start up?

I think play it safe and take it back to the dealer. Even if its nothing to worry about, I'de rather have that peace of mind that they did have a look at it.

thanks for the reply - i will take in back on saturday, but wondered if anyone else has heard this noise in the meantime.

[Mattstorm]

Hi miniblo,

I have an 08 Mini Cooper (none s) and mine does not sound like this, the engine is at its quitest when just turned on believe it or not (excusing really cold temps which we have not had this winter yet and I don't know coz only had mine since june). When you first turn it on it runs richer and therefore at higher rpm so sounds nice, as it leans off it settles at 800 rpm and makes a similar fast ticking noise which is the injectors, my 3 series was awful, posh car but sounded cr*p at idle. Either way when you first turn the car on it should nice then lean to a slight ticking. This noise you have is not normal, it sounds like a diesel and at a guess I would say belt tensioner as I had a 57 plate mondeo once 2.0L petrol and one day when cold sounded just like your Mini and it was belt tensioner. Should not be a major issue but needs changing asap. Bit unlucky to go on a fairly new car but can happen.

[miniblo]

Still concerned about the noise, it also sounds like it has stuck hydraulic lifters or no oil in the top end when cold between 1500-3000rpm and won't rev above 4000rpm.

Not had any fault lights at all though. Both the ticking and the rattling disappear once the engine has been running approx 20mins.

Dealer is picking it up tomorrow and leaving me a loan car and it is booked into the workshop Monday morning so they can start it from cold.

Hopefully if there is an issue and is not just the 'charateristic noisy cold engine' they will be able to hear it and resolve it quickly.

Only had the car 1 week today and it is spoiling what is otherwise a really nice car

[miniblo]

Not that anyone seems to care, but the car is now with the dealer - being looked at tomorrow morning after it sits overnight.

Interestingly the loan 2011 cooper clubman they have given me with 7k miles on it makes exactly the same noises so I reckon my car will be returned to me with no fault found.

Or the loan car is knackered too

[Mattstorm]

I feel for you m8, I got my Cooper in June after losing thousands on a 3 series coupe (57 plate) which I owned for 4 months and had to get rid of due to it being a lemon and I loved my cooper but it made a weird smell through the vents when cold, I've been at it 5 months with Mini trying to prove my issue and they think I'm crazy as they have not experienced it. I solved the issue with a charcoal activated air filter which is absorbing the engine smells. How they are managing to get to the air intake I will never know. Basically I'm saying stick at it as once you have solved the issues they are awesome little cars and I love mine but its taken countless trips to Mini, the little dents being removed, a replacement back bench, a massive 8 hour body work detail by me, 2 hours of interior valletting by me and I came up with the filter solution. Its difficult to tell from your video but as I've said before I have two 1.6 units on my drive, one 120 bhp and one detuned 100 bhp and neither sound as clattery as the video suggests. If you get it back unsolved do another video in daylight with the bonnet shut standing 2 feet away from the car. This will give us a better idea of the sound of your car in comparison with our own and people will be able to better tell you wether or not its abnormal or ok.

Good luck!

[danny_248]

My MCS makes the same noise when it's cold. Goes after around 5-10 mins once warm. Also had a Suzuki Vitara that did the same thing. It's the hydraulic valve clearances or whatever it's called. They make the noise often when it's cold.

Mine does anyway and had it checked out and serviced and it wasn't anything to worry about. Hopefully yours will be the same mate.

[Ajax Cooper]

I like to know the dealer says about your coop.

Sometimes my 03 non s feels like a hiccup in the morning.

But after 5mins it goes away.
Anyone know what I'm talking about?


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[markimark]

Isn't the known problem with the timing belt tensioner ( or something by a similar name??). If you google ' mini death rattle' and see the YouTube videos, your car sounds similar. If it's still under warranty, it will be covered.

[miniblo]

No - the death rattle only affects the MCS

I've driven the loan car to work this morning and it is making EXACTLY the same noises - this is a 2011 cooper with slightly more miles than mine.

Plus, the dealer has called to confirm my car is making 'normal' noises

Looks like these are just noisy engines from cold.

Can't wait to get my cooper back this evening :-)

[Mattstorm]

Do another video with bonet closed in daylight standing 2 feet from car, get some one to start it for you while you hold the camera and I'll be able to tell you if its the same as mine!? Unless your happy its ok then enjoy the new car!

[miniblo]

Thanks - will do at the weekend but it is definitely the same noise on 2 different cars and heard another one today in town so I'm not worried now