Death rattle?

[P1ato]

Wife returned from a trip to the Lake District a couple of days ago saying her car was sounding like a diesel (it's an 08 Cooper S with 18K miles, bought from MINI Park Lane at 5K and full service history at MINI since).

Local garage said timing chain needs replacing...£1,600. But they recommended I speak to MINI to see if they would consider making a goodwill gesture.

Called MINI Park Lane, who immediately said check the oil. It needed 3 Litres to get between the lines on the dipstick, and is now running fine.

It's been a great car for the Mrs for 4 years, but tempted to chop it in...

[mike9009]

How often do you check the oil? I need to add a litre every 1000 miles or so. I check every two weeks to be safe.

It will be fine - but any car you need to check the oil.

I needed to change the timing chain tensioner on mine when I first bought it. (not expensive < £100). It had 17,000 miles when I first bought it and now has about 44000 and does not have an issue.


Mike

[rigga]

Yes the Turbo charged N14 mini engine loves to drink oil, a liter per 1k is normal consumption, needs checking regular as low oil will cause the cam chain tensioner to not have enough oil pressure to maintain correct tension allowing the chain to be slack and slap against the guides and case, then stretches beyond service limit's and need replacing, can be done for around £400 at mini independent garages, I've replaced my tensioner myself already for £25 as it occasionally rattled on start up, been quiet since.

[CB 987]

As others have said keep checking the oil as they do like a drink, on average mine used 1 litre every 1,000miles.

I had 2 chains and tensioners in 10k miles, one of the reasons why I decided to sell it. Personally I wouldn't want to run one without a warranty.