[freirum]

the dealer probably would tell you that

sounds like more than one noise there but unclear really generally, needs to be a longer clip, nearer, at the belt end, and the top by each cam plus toward the rear at the chain end perhaps, just to get an idea of where it might appear louder etc

Many thanks for your response - much appreciated.

I will try and make a better video and put it up here for comment.

Cheers

 

[freirum]

I just went through the same concern on my 2012 JCW - I also posted a video of the noise I had. I had it checked at MiniTech in Southend - left it with them overnight and they looked at it the following morning when it was cold. They diagnosed it as the chain was stretched and I went ahead with replacement and a decoke. I thought it was better to be safe than sorry. They said it was really difficult to diagnose over a video.

I do think that these engines aren't that quiet anyway but if you're getting it checked by a specialist then that's probably the best thing to do.

Best of luck!

Many thanks for the response!

May I ask how much was it to replace the chain?

I thought the death rattle issues were only associated to the supercharged version of the engine, but I suppose I was wrong!

Cheers

 

[freirum]

death rattle is all about the 56 I believe, it just gets mentioned now in other discussion if chain related. Far fewer early car chains have the same issues as the 56 and are simpler being a single cam vs twin with single or double vanos plus vacuum pump and hpfp the chain needs to drive, or having the bridge guide which fails and drops into the engine, but they do have plastic guide liners which can break up etc.

the 56's had tensioners backing out of the heads early on and some nasty oil leaks as a result which was basically the beginning of it all, then oil consumption generally which accelerates chain wear, so a few things in terms of symptoms can be about the chain system on the later car. The older one has noisy tensioners sometimes, and still oil level or pressure related noises perhaps, a less complicated engine overall and not usually terminal like some 56 engine stories have been (lots).

'some' noise is normal in the later car, the early car not so really.

fwiw one of the noises toward the end of your clip sounds like it could be the drive belt area listening to the timing of it, look for pieces missing from the ribbed area of the belt etc.

Understood, and many thanks - really appreciate the time you took to explain this!

I appreciate this is an extremely difficult question to answer, but would I be ok driving this for 15-20 miles to the garage? Or is the catastrophic failure imminent?

Cheers

 

[freirum]

from that clip a catastrophic failure isn't in question, just have a better listen to the noise or make a better clip, when the chains are loose they'll make more noise than that sounds like, but as I say, to me it's not the best video to help people get an idea.

Ok, so finally got a chance to make an additional video closer to the engine. See below.

This was filmed literally 5 seconds after a cold start.

Took it to my mechanic yesterday and he said is all good - but then again, he is not a Mini specialist.

Looking to get a second opinion from someone more knowledgeable in Mini issues next week, but in the meantime, what are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[freirum]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if you had any thoughts on the second video?

Thanks

 

[freirum]

Many thanks Hen. I do think you are right, and my auxiliary belt is asking for being replacement.

In addition to that, took the car to an specialist and basically it was confirmed that the chain was stretched and the tensioner was very weak, so full timing chain kit now installed.

Hopefully that is the end of it!!!!!