peter1 wrote:
Interesting - that rattle when cold is in mine too - seems to go away a bit when oil pressure builds up and then when motor warms up. Actually, to be truthful the car sounds sh*t when it's cold.
I've got no clunk in the steering that I've noticed, but seem to get a lot of clunks through the transmission when changing gear (manual gearbox) - if I'm not 100% smooth on the changes, and keep a little revs in it, it will clunk as if there's a bit of lash somewhere.
I haven't noticed that vibration rattle you mention - I'll try and take more notice, but I'm pretty fussy with noises and notice things that passengers can't notice. I've got a rattle in the clutch pedal at idle that nobody else can hear, but because I've heard it it's now all i can hear!!
Need to turn up the music a bit I think!
Hi guys. Haven't logged on for ages and first time in the New MINI area. Apart from the 1963 850 & the 1964 van (still work in progress), I've been driving a new MINI for a couple of years now. It's a 2007 S Chilli (turbo model) and it's been great .... although have been frustrated no end with noises for the past 6 months or so. Developed a bad rattle at start-up late last year & it took me 2 months of complaining to the dealer to get them to agree it wasn't normal for the car to sound like a diesel until warm. They ordered parts in (2 month wait) and replaced the timing chain tensioner. Whilst waiting for the parts, a noise in the front end developed. To me it sounded like there was a worn rubber in the suspension or subframe area causing a clunk on take-off, or if you changed directions (as in come to a halt, and then reverse). You could feel it in the floor as much as hear it. I notified the dealer & they said they'd fix it when they did the timing chain work.
Timing chain was done & when I picked up the car, no surprise but they couldn't hear the noise in the suspension. Two further months of me complaining & dropping in to take them for drives. They told me it was (in no particular order):
* something in the boot
*something in the glovebox
*normal
*not there
*my imagination etc etc etc
Finally they replaced the subframe mounts & all was good.
Then the engine rattle came back. Stuff thius, went to a different dealership & they tested & said it was lifters. Parts ordered ... wait 2 months. In this time, the noise was getting worse & once warmed up the car felt like it was out of tune (rough idle, flat-spots on acceleration etc). Also it was getting hard to start cold, sort of like I needed to pull out the choke ... which obviously there isn't one.
Long story short, I picked it up last Friday. New head, cams, bearings, lifters & I think they did the timing chain tensioner again. Sounds like new again......but it still won't start from cold without at least 10 attempts & a lot of swearing. Looks like another trip back today. The 1963 is looking REAL GOOD as a daily driver just now.
