Rattling engine from cold- 08 MCS
Discussion
My 08 MCS has started to sound very diesel like on start up, a noise that is quite harsh but fades to normal after a minute or two.
Plenty of oil in it, and nothing untoward- that I can see at least.
Any ideas chaps- is it a common issue? It has only started now the weather has become particularly cold.
Plenty of oil in it, and nothing untoward- that I can see at least.
Any ideas chaps- is it a common issue? It has only started now the weather has become particularly cold.
This old chestnut? MINI will deny strenuously there's anything amiss and there probably isn't but the old line 'they all do that mate' is a bit worn out these days. My wife's old MCS did this on start up which was exacerbated by cold weather and is something to do with the direct injection system failing to lubricate on initial start up - sounds like a Massey Ferguson to begin with and disappears when warmed up?
The present factory JCW has also started exhibiting this behaviour three months into ownership, possibly as it spent Christmas in a warmer climate and was suddenly returned to -10c and then to the UK's current weather. I'm fairly disappointed as the factory JCW is significantly different to the stock internals found on the MCS Works version but as there have been numerous 'fixes' none of which seemed to have worked, I think you'll have to put up with it.
The present factory JCW has also started exhibiting this behaviour three months into ownership, possibly as it spent Christmas in a warmer climate and was suddenly returned to -10c and then to the UK's current weather. I'm fairly disappointed as the factory JCW is significantly different to the stock internals found on the MCS Works version but as there have been numerous 'fixes' none of which seemed to have worked, I think you'll have to put up with it.
Thanks for the response, and while there seems to be no solution at least this sheds some light onto the problem.
It is rather embarrassing to have a new car that sounds like a bag of nails in the morning and a 1991 car that starts and immediatley settles into a quiet idle, regardless of the weather.
I'll take it to the dealer and see what response I get, if only to highlight the problem in my next long term report on the PH homepage.
It is rather embarrassing to have a new car that sounds like a bag of nails in the morning and a 1991 car that starts and immediatley settles into a quiet idle, regardless of the weather.
I'll take it to the dealer and see what response I get, if only to highlight the problem in my next long term report on the PH homepage.
I think there are a few threads about this on the www.MINI2.com forum (wish I was clever enough to post a direct link to them (
).
).Edited by Hartge210 on Monday 5th January 19:05
This is a common problem on the R56 - Though I have heard that some dealers have a fix of some sorts. This link my be of use 
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/13...
And Ian's post shows some light at the end of the tunnel - http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/13...
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/13...
And Ian's post shows some light at the end of the tunnel - http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/13...
Hi,
Found this on motoringfile, they say a fix is on its way - but who knows how long that will be! As the above have said, the post on M2 - shows that your not alone. This should help at the dealers.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/07/07/r56-cold-st...
Found this on motoringfile, they say a fix is on its way - but who knows how long that will be! As the above have said, the post on M2 - shows that your not alone. This should help at the dealers.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/07/07/r56-cold-st...
Garlick said:
Thanks for the response, and while there seems to be no solution at least this sheds some light onto the problem.
It is rather embarrassing to have a new car that sounds like a bag of nails in the morning and a 1991 car that starts and immediatley settles into a quiet idle, regardless of the weather.
I'll take it to the dealer and see what response I get, if only to highlight the problem in my next long term report on the PH homepage.
Give us a shout fella if you want me to get it booked in for you...It is rather embarrassing to have a new car that sounds like a bag of nails in the morning and a 1991 car that starts and immediatley settles into a quiet idle, regardless of the weather.
I'll take it to the dealer and see what response I get, if only to highlight the problem in my next long term report on the PH homepage.
Greg
Just to kick start this thread again.......MCS Oct 2007 (8K miles only....wife's car) had the same "diesel type" noise, worse on very cold days on start up.
Had it serviced a couple of weeks ago and mentioned the noise. Quick listen from the technician......timing chain says he......booked in and fixed within 5 days......noise gone.
Report says......Tolerance on timing chain found to be below the required limit. Replaced timing chain and tensioner with MODIFIED tensioner.
Excellent service from Broad Oak Ashford. Not one word about TADTS (they all do that Sir).
Had it serviced a couple of weeks ago and mentioned the noise. Quick listen from the technician......timing chain says he......booked in and fixed within 5 days......noise gone.
Report says......Tolerance on timing chain found to be below the required limit. Replaced timing chain and tensioner with MODIFIED tensioner.
Excellent service from Broad Oak Ashford. Not one word about TADTS (they all do that Sir).
Sorry to dredge this one up, but I am currently looking for a MCS Clubman and this issue is causing me serious concern.
I fell foul of the dreaded MR2 Roadster oil burning last year and do not wish to repeat that performance!
Off to look at a 22k miles 57 plate tomorrow in a private sale (so no warranty). I will obviously ask the question, but I have no way of being assured the seller is honest. I can ask to see the car started from cold, but I understand this issue only really occurs with the first start of the day.
All in all, if I am stung, is this fix now definitive? Questions also asked on Mini2, but I'd like as many opinions as possible.
Also, is the fix covered under a recall or would I be expected to shell out? If so, approximate cost?
Thanks.
I fell foul of the dreaded MR2 Roadster oil burning last year and do not wish to repeat that performance!
Off to look at a 22k miles 57 plate tomorrow in a private sale (so no warranty). I will obviously ask the question, but I have no way of being assured the seller is honest. I can ask to see the car started from cold, but I understand this issue only really occurs with the first start of the day.
All in all, if I am stung, is this fix now definitive? Questions also asked on Mini2, but I'd like as many opinions as possible.
Also, is the fix covered under a recall or would I be expected to shell out? If so, approximate cost?
Thanks.
Same problem on my wife's R56 S. Sounded like a tractor with piston slap and big ends hanging out on a cold start. Apparently, it is the same problem that they Vauxhalls have - oil-fed tensioner with a jet too small to let the thick oil through when it is cold, causing the chain to be slack and slam around the casing.
My guess is that it would be reasonably expensive. They are changing the chain and tensioner on my wife's car, and I hear noises of around 200 quid for parts... and then there is the labour, which is running slightly over book hours I would suggest...
Fortunately, my wife's car has an aftermarket warranty on it, which means that I do not have to pay for the 3 and a half weeks' labour that the garage appointed by the warranty company have taken on changing a timiing chain and tensioner !!
And, also I pay nothing for the special "engine lock tool" that they had to buy to ensure that the timing was held while the chain was changed. Guess they ran out of mechanical knowledge, straight edges and scribers to make their own timing marks.
Still waiting for the car - 3 and a half weeks later.
My guess is that it would be reasonably expensive. They are changing the chain and tensioner on my wife's car, and I hear noises of around 200 quid for parts... and then there is the labour, which is running slightly over book hours I would suggest...
Fortunately, my wife's car has an aftermarket warranty on it, which means that I do not have to pay for the 3 and a half weeks' labour that the garage appointed by the warranty company have taken on changing a timiing chain and tensioner !!
And, also I pay nothing for the special "engine lock tool" that they had to buy to ensure that the timing was held while the chain was changed. Guess they ran out of mechanical knowledge, straight edges and scribers to make their own timing marks.
Still waiting for the car - 3 and a half weeks later.
Chr1sch said:
Our old Cooper S had this, it took them a few hours to fix, its the tensioner every time.....
Exactly. But on the really noisy ones, BMW recommend to change the chain too.Sadly the organisation that the warranty company have given this car to have no idea on minis, probably few skills in mechanics except for changing what the computer tells them to, and frankly, it is no more than I expected when the warranty people told me the name of the establishment.
I couldn't see it being more than a few hours work to replace a tensioner and chain, even if I had to make my own static timing marks on pulleys and casing... but I haven't had an hours book for some years.
The wife phoned today and apparently they are waiting for some little plastic components (?) and we will get it back tomorrow.
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