R56 Mini One - Patriotic Edition
Discussion
Bought this Mini yesterday to replace my wife's Polo (which is from the company scheme) so my son can learn to drive next year:
Really tidy and only 33k, but despite this there is a top end rattle that Google tells me is the timing chain/guides. I've ordered all the bits and tools so fingers crossed a few hours of work next weekend it can be sorted.
Polished up well and other then a couple of really minor dings it's immaculate.
These black round things are stopping the wheels scrapping on the floor, but they are not what I'd call tyres, and someone used hammer on weights! The horror.
Once I've sorted the engine it will be getting a set of Contis or similar.
Hopefully this will make us a sound family car for a few years whilst both kids learn to drive and then one of them can buy it off us!
Really tidy and only 33k, but despite this there is a top end rattle that Google tells me is the timing chain/guides. I've ordered all the bits and tools so fingers crossed a few hours of work next weekend it can be sorted.
Polished up well and other then a couple of really minor dings it's immaculate.
These black round things are stopping the wheels scrapping on the floor, but they are not what I'd call tyres, and someone used hammer on weights! The horror.
Once I've sorted the engine it will be getting a set of Contis or similar.
Hopefully this will make us a sound family car for a few years whilst both kids learn to drive and then one of them can buy it off us!
Lookup ericthecarguy on YouTube. He’s got loads of great how to videos etc. The reason I’m suggesting him is he’s just done a series of videos on the mini, and his had the same chain rattle as yours (common chain wear fault) and he did a VERY informative video detailing all the steps to change the chain, guides and tensioner
The noise suspect was the timing chain, so I changed that today along with the guides, tensioner], aux belt etc but it still does it... Maybe a day wasted, maybe a sound precaution...
Next on the list is the water pump but I'm open to suggestions.
Video of the noise (after doing the chains!)
IMG_0878
Hopefully once I've sorted this I'll get to drive it at some point!
Next on the list is the water pump but I'm open to suggestions.
Video of the noise (after doing the chains!)
IMG_0878Hopefully once I've sorted this I'll get to drive it at some point!
vikingaero said:
My Cooper S sounds like a diesel. I've got a similar knocking noise (but not as loud) which the garage has told me is a motor that pushes the water pump pulley onto the drive belt (or something like that!)
It’s a weird spring loaded pulley that transfers the drive from the crank pulley to the water pump. You detension it by pulling a little tab. I’ll try that (briefly!) and see if it shuts up.
I pulled the arch liner and cam cover off again last night for a closer look at what else it could be.
It’s not the water pump or transfer pulley thing as when the engine is cold it’s not engaged so isn’t rotating.
Close inspection of cam lobes, springs etc has found absolutely nothing wrong, no obvious wear, nothing loose.
So next guess is one of the Vanos units as it’s a heavy noise right from that area.
Is there anyway to diagnose these without just spending the money and replacing them?
Would a failed solenoid cause a knocking? I’ve no warning lights.
The noise is present at idle, goes at about 1800 rpm then comes back above about 2000rpm and on lift off. This is just statically revving it.
The One has two VANOS units rather than the one on the Cooper so I’d like to cut it down and not just do both.
Thanks for any guidance!
It’s not the water pump or transfer pulley thing as when the engine is cold it’s not engaged so isn’t rotating.
Close inspection of cam lobes, springs etc has found absolutely nothing wrong, no obvious wear, nothing loose.
So next guess is one of the Vanos units as it’s a heavy noise right from that area.
Is there anyway to diagnose these without just spending the money and replacing them?
Would a failed solenoid cause a knocking? I’ve no warning lights.
The noise is present at idle, goes at about 1800 rpm then comes back above about 2000rpm and on lift off. This is just statically revving it.
The One has two VANOS units rather than the one on the Cooper so I’d like to cut it down and not just do both.
Thanks for any guidance!
Time passes...
I’ve since changed the VANOS units (for other used items) and done all the tappets (which wasn’t fun).
Still making that noise
So I took it to Mini on Thursday and they diagnosed piston slap.
Piston slap? I thought that was something worn Cortinas had in the 80s, not 30k old modern engines.
Anyway evidently it’s not uncommon and can happen at any time. Great piece of design alongside that regularly failing timing chain.
So I’m gathering parts for a bottom end rebuild with a +0.25mm overbore in a couple of weeks time. I’ve looked at various second hand engines etc, and looking at £600 to £900 for unknown quantities the DIY rebuild is the only option.
Hopefully this will get us back up and running for a few years as the rest of the car is still good!
I’ve since changed the VANOS units (for other used items) and done all the tappets (which wasn’t fun).
Still making that noise
So I took it to Mini on Thursday and they diagnosed piston slap.
Piston slap? I thought that was something worn Cortinas had in the 80s, not 30k old modern engines.
Anyway evidently it’s not uncommon and can happen at any time. Great piece of design alongside that regularly failing timing chain.
So I’m gathering parts for a bottom end rebuild with a +0.25mm overbore in a couple of weeks time. I’ve looked at various second hand engines etc, and looking at £600 to £900 for unknown quantities the DIY rebuild is the only option.
Hopefully this will get us back up and running for a few years as the rest of the car is still good!
Is this the 1.4 by any chance? If so I had troubles with a mini one 1.4 that would run on 3 cylinders as soon as it was warm, anything over 5/10 miles or so. Never got to the bottom of it before selling as a spares or repair, changed spark plus, injectors, timing chain was done too but it was looking like a tear down job to diagnose. Sorry for not being a helpful post
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