Is this cam chain rattle?

[wiliferus]

The other half has a 2010 R56 Cooper. 50k miles, FSH. I’m fastidious about watching the oil levels etc.

On start up I’ve noticed this noise. Obviously I’m aware of the cam chain issues for this engine, but I’m not sure whether this is the noise of doom.

Thoughts?

https://youtu.be/fHo5plnLPME

Thanks in advance.

[scrw.]

Any hint of rattle like this I would take off the cam cover for a quick peek at the tensioners

[Pip1968]

Mine sounded like a diesel when the tensioner started to go and there may have been "some chain stretch" which I assume meant the tensioner wasn't picking up on it.

Pip

[paultownsend]

I got a new tensioner for ours. £40 from Mini. It’s at the rear left of the head. Took 10 minutes. I’d do that. Flush the oil. OE filter then go from there.

If I remember correctly our local Mini independent plugged it into the computer and checked for cam stretch.

Honestly. They just sound like a bag of bolts.

[wiliferus]

It’s now been into a trusted BMW Indy. They’re happy the chain is fine. They think the noise is the poly V belt tensioner on its way out, so it’s going back in for that shortly.
Had a good chat with the mechanic and we discussed the chain and oil etc. Apparently these engines can burn 0.5l of oil every 600 miles, and that’s within tolerance That’s about a month for my OH. Looks like I’ll be getting a big bottle of Shell Helix for the garage.
Thanks for the input gents.

[paultownsend]

Yes, this is definitely an option. Our aux belt snapped and took out the tensioner. It ended up being quite expensive. I think it also took out the water pump drive which I believe is actuated on these.

[TimmyMallett]

wiliferus said:

. Apparently these engines can burn 0.5l of oil every 600 miles, and that’s within tolerance .

I see this a lot about these engines but I certainly haven't experienced any near that kind of loss, if anything at all between services.

IF the valve seals go, then yes, but that will show in the exhaust, and as an advisory on an MOT.