13 replies to this topic

[Philcooper]

Hi Guys. 2004 Mini Cooper FSH etc. some mornings when I start it up there is a Tappet rattle for a couple of minutes then it goes away. Is thus normal? Mileage is 62000

Cheers

[HarrysMini]

Yes, that is normal. Most engines will sound tappetty when they're cold. As the engine heats up and the components expand, the noise will go away.

 

Completely normal :)

[Jordie]

Couple of minutes? Are these engines timing chain?

[HarrysMini]

Couple of minutes? Are these engines timing chain?

Yes they are.

[Jordie]

Ive had cars with rattly chains before, that lasts a couple of mins from cold.

[sonikk4]

My mates JCW Cooper S does exactly the same then once warmed up its fine. A lot of cars with hydraulic followers do this. I had two 16 Valve Calibras and both did the same thing.

One was under warranty and when I had a chat to the chief service engineer he said it was very common.

[midridge2]

Yes, we have had 2 from new and they were both tappety till they warmed up.

[jaydee]

Flush engine oil, galleries are blocked by sludge, typical on engines with BMW scheduled maintanance.

[minisilverbullet]

I had a loud tappet  noise on my 3 series, changed to a BMW approved oil, it the noise certainly reduced. 

 

As said though the hydraulic lifters are noisy at start up. 

[The Principal]

I have a BMW Cooper S and spend some time on the Mini2 Forum, there are known faults on the BMW timing chain worst case scenario is a snapped chain. Have a read up on the BMW Mini forums and get that looked at soon.

 

http://www.mini2.com

[HarrysMini]

I have a BMW Cooper S and spend some time on the Mini2 Forum, there are known faults on the BMW timing chain worst case scenario is a snapped chain. Have a read up on the BMW Mini forums and get that looked at soon.

 

http://www.mini2.com

I think you'd know if you had a snapped chain, it would be doing more than a slightly louder tappet noise.

[mini13]

these engines have rockers with hydraulic tappets in, these can get a bit noisy when cold after the engine has racked up some miles... also there is a timing chain tensioner that normally needs changing at about 100,000 miles, if this is dicky it could make it rattle a bit.

[Badboytunes]

The timing chain issues are for the PSA/BMW unit ( Prince ) . There are documented issues regarding " death rattles".

 

 

The OP states he has an 04 car which has the Tritec Chrysler engine. These engines should be quiet. If its noisy then I would say there is an issue somewhere.....

[HarrysMini]

The OP states he has an 04 car which has the Tritec Chrysler engine. These engines should be quiet. If its noisy then I would say there is an issue somewhere.....

Not necessarily. Our R53 and plenty others I have heard rattle a bit on a cold startup. As I said above, this is usually completely normal. Obviously, if it is continually tappetty, then there probably is an issue, however this isn't the OP's case.