Is this the death rattle?

[Luke.]

Afternoon all.

Recently bought a R56 MCS and just wondered if you thought this was the rattly timing chain issue?

Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW7o471w4PU&fea...

[Luke.]

Chr1sch said:

Potentially, ours sounded something like that, it's more pronounced on startup and tends to fade away. They are pretty tappy engines but there does sound like there is an underlying rattle

Thanks Chris. Still can't quite make up my mind whether there's a problem or not. Did you get yours sorted?

[Luke.]

Thanks all. Still seems like it could go either way whether there's a problem or not. Seems to be a case of TADTS.

[Luke.]

mike9009 said:

Does sound very much like mine did! So could well be the death rattle. Fairly easy to fix...

Best of luck...

Mike

Thanks Mike. To be honest, unless the bonnet's open I don't really notice it.

[Luke.]

Sam.F said:

I only ever found that mine made the noise when the engine was cold, and it was most pronounced when pulling away. Difficult to tell from a video where the car is idling with the bonnet open as that engine always sounds a bit rattly at idle, does the noise get louder on pulling away?

It doesn't get any louder on pulling away at all. To be honest, unless the bonnets open it's very apparent. Reckon it my be normal?

[Luke.]

jimslops said:

Timing chain

£300-3400 to fix at dealer. Half that anywhere else.

It's still under warranty, so I'll get it booked in. Ta.

[Luke.]

I don't suppose anyone has a link to a normal sounding engine?

Try to find one, but all I got was rattles.

[Luke.]

Morning all. Just driven to the station, about 3 miles, and the noise was exactly the same the other end. Does thus suggest there's no problem and r56 engines generally sound diesely?

[Luke.]

MarioKart said:

They're not the most refined engines at idle. I queried the sound of mine with the dealer who happily let me compare with 2 other Minis. One was brand new and seemed a bit quieter (could be the newer engine, mine is mid 2009) while the other one sounded the same.

As soon as I apply a few revs though mine sounds lovely and smooth (especially after I've been driving the other half's diesel Focus!) As has been said previously just keep the oil topped up and don't worry about it, unless it becomes horrendous!

Cheers Mario Kart. Just had a squizz at your profile and you mentioned you had your death rattle cured. Did the fix work and does it now sound quieter than mine in the Youtube link?

[Luke.]

MarioKart said:

At work at the moment so can't view the link but I'll have a look later and let you know. However I would say if you can't hear any rattling when you're in the car (with the windows up!) it's probably fine.

Mine was never really that bad- there were 2 or 3 instances where it seemed noisier first thing in the morning so I mentioned it when I went in for a service. They read the codes on my key and said it needed doing. This was some time after I'd done the comparison with other Minis and been 'reassured'.

Apparently modern direct injection petrol engines have a lot in common with diesels which may explain their character at idle.

Cheers. All good to know.

[Luke.]

MarioKart said:

OP, just seen your vid and heard your engine- sounds just like mine :-)

It's like there are three distinct sounds going on- a constant humming (as you might expect), a high pitched ticking (injectors- quite noisy on this engine anyway) and a more mid range rattle which on mine sounds more like it is coming from the front- this was the sound that was concerning me but I was told is normal.

Just relax and enjoy your car

Thanks. Much appreciated. And certainly gives me peace of mind.