Comments on: Details Behind the Cold Start Fix

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:22:00 +0000

I have 2007 Cooper S. I just took it in a few days ago and mentioned the rattle sputtering sound at cold start and the next day the advisor called me telling me it needed a new timing chain.I was curious when they replace the timing chain does that automatically include the tensioner and the other related parts or should I make it a point to ask if that is also being done?I see this thread go back pretty far, for those of you that have had yours replaced and some time has now passes how has your MINI been to you? Should I sell it and move on. I am out of warranty as of the end of January.

By: James

James — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:13:58 +0000

My 08 MCCS is in the garage right now… This is the 3rd timing chain replacement in 3 years. Where do I stand warranty wise with this? Surely there comes a point when it’s considered not fit for purpose…

By: Joe Dupre

Joe Dupre — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:04:16 +0000

I had this happen to my 2008 Clubman S. The car was in the shop probably 5 times during Nov.-Dec 09 when the engine light kept tripping. Initially I was told it was excess carbon build up in the intake. It was cleaned a couple times and I was told that cars in my area were experiencing this same issue. After that I started experiencing cold start issues and wildly rough idle. I took it in again and they adjusted a few things and sent me on my way. Ever since, I noticed the car was still idling rough, but not as noticable. About 1-1/2 weeks ago, the engine light came on again so back to the shop it went. They diagnosed the VANOS solenoid as the issue and replaced it. Then the car would not idle at all and they observed the engine had jumped timing. They verified their findings with BMW and replaced the complete timing assembly. I got the car back yesterday and it’s a night and day change in performance. It starts and idles so smoothly now. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder that it was running out of time for months now. Hopefully no collateral damage has occurred internally.

By: gerald foye

gerald foye — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:35:54 +0000

I have 2007 mini cooper S with about 14000 miles. Suddenly have cold start issue - I am not familiar with modern injection systems - but comparing problem with carburetors - it reacts same as if the choke valve is stuck in place & won't open.

Is this the problem I see as a consumer complaint?

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:05:53 +0000

Just had my ’08 MCS fixed. They replaced the tensioner. Have to commend Otto’s in West Chester PA. Car has 51k miles on it (out of warranty). The recognized that I had asked them to check this before and took care of the fix under warranty.

By: Banj

Banj — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:03:37 +0000

I took my 2008 MCS to the Mini of Pittsburgh service department in early September '09 to fix the cold start problem. I mentioned to them that it might be the timing chain tensioner (thanks to this article). They repaired it that same day, the first time I had brought it in. SIM-11-02-07. It was covered under warranty.

The car has been starting up perfectly ever since (over two months now). Even when the car sits idle for several days, or is started up in very cold temperatures. Hopefully when we get down to the single digit temperatures this winter it will still start up with no rattles.

By: Newbie R56 advice - MINI2 - MINI Forum

Newbie R56 advice - MINI2 - MINI Forum — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:21:53 +0000

[...] New cam chain tensioner MotoringFile Archive Details Behind the Cold Start Fix [...]

By: CC

CC — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:35:00 +0000

My engine just failed with 68K miles. (Yep, out of warranty.) I had it towed to the dealer, who tells me diagnostics indicate a broken camshaft. I have a hunch that the cause may be the "cold start noise" issue being discussed here.

Do I have any options, short of spending the $4,500+ dollars to repair, or the $8,000 to replace the engine?

By: Scottab36

Scottab36 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:31:32 +0000

Took my 05/2007 R56 in for this issue on Wednesday. Received a much quieter R56 when returned on Saturday. All under warranty and no questions or problems. I love my MINI dealer!

By: Dean

Dean — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:05:37 +0000

My service measured 66 mm. They performed SIM-11-02-07 steps 1-11 and replaced the timing tensioner. This was done today.

By: oldMGguy

oldMGguy — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:53:44 +0000

I had the latest timing chain tensioner repair 2 weeks ago. Since the chain deflection test exceeded 68 mm, I got the full package of new parts. So far, after numerous "cold" starts, including nose-down attitudes, all starts have been normal - finally!

The overall reduction in general engine noise heard in the cabin is remarkable.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:22:21 +0000

For all Aussies – The PuMA reference has not yet been identified here in Sydney. I took my 2007 MCS to BMW Sydney. They had to submit two PuMA records as there was nothing on the system regarding the rattle OR the melted hood scoop… unbelievable.

By: Roccorocket

Roccorocket — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:32:42 +0000

I canâ€™t believe the person, that posted about, trading the car because of this. Why would you willingly take a loss because MINI canâ€™t build an engine properly? Anyway, I have the noise, 2008 MCCS, it was supposedly fixed once and is back with a vengeance. The car is going bye bye.

By: Stephen Warwick

Stephen Warwick — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:27:51 +0000

What helped me get the dealer going on a noise is not to have ago and get heated with the service advisor, The service advisor will help go through the nosie in the engine , but you need to give him some help me I took in the information that came from australia that came for the UK ,And the dealer got to work and now we are going back again because the noise came back, I lov to here about how bmw get things put right. My UK dealer is Cotswold Gloucester . And I got to say one of the best ,I will see in the first week in June if the noise has gone I will let MF know all about it ,This is the last fix in the BMW box ? lol !!!!!!!!!! WE WILL SEE

By: Scott Purvis

Scott Purvis — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:51:34 +0000

Classic MINI replaced the chain tensioner, finally. this after performing the oil bleed down service the cars first trip to service about 6 months ago. I must say, in 2 weeks now, not one time has the cold chattered returned! And here in Cleveland, we’re still having cold nights, so I’m encouraged here. Fingers crossed and thanks to Classic MINI for truly listening to me and taking care of it. So far……

By: Bruce Ebright

Bruce Ebright — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:21:41 +0000

Park with the nose pointed downhill, that’ll assist in hearing it usually.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » White Roof Radio #296

MotoringFile » Archive » White Roof Radio #296 — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:13:33 +0000

[...] you suffer from the dreaded Death Rattle? Check that post at MF and definitely bring it up with your dealer! And, if you are looking for some [...]

By: James Irmiger

James Irmiger — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:48:16 +0000

mnicpt: Video didn't help me one bit. They said they had to reproduce it themselves in order for it to be covered under warranty.

I can't remember which direction it was, but someone on NAM said that if you parked either slightly uphill or downhill overnight, it would help reproduce the sound by draining the oil from the tensioner more reliably than on flat ground.

By: that.guy

that.guy — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:23:28 +0000

I was told that this fix did not work on a car and a new AT RMFD engine was installed that was noisier.

That is awesome.

By: mnicpt

mnicpt — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:58:02 +0000

Patrick MINI has been very difficult to work with and said that they wouldn’t do it until Winter. I had the sound just today and it was 65 degrees. Looks like I’m getting out the video camera.