2005 Cooper S Engine sounds like diesel

[98C4S]

Hi All,

Girlfriends Cooper S has developed a rattling sound from the engine that makes it sound like a diesel. It is intermittent, the fan also comes on for longer and more often.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

[Defcon5]

Does it alter with revs/speed/heat etc?

[98C4S]

Should have given more detail - sorry

Doesnt alter with anything, totally random.

No warning lights, no loss of power, drives as normal, just get this rattling diesel noise every now and again

Mrs took it to BMW on tuesday, they didnt know what it was but thought it could be the clutch.

I dont think it could be the clutch at all, no slippage, no smells, goes in to gear properly, noise totally indendent of any clutch use

[Steve UK]

98C4S said:

Hi All,

the fan also comes on for longer and more often.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

When our fan started coming on for longer it had a water leak from the thermostat housing.

[Defcon5]

Cant see it being clutch related, it wouldnt be as random, there would be some correlation between the noise and use of the clutch.

Have you had a good rummage round the engine? Could be something as simple as a loose heatsheild or maybe part of the exhaust

[Floof]

it could be the rocker arm retaining caps

[greygoose]

Are the oil and coolant levels ok? Could be the start of a head gasket problem.

[spaceibizadance]

I have a 2005 Cooper S and mine used to rattle and sound like a diesel, but only when it was idling. When you drove it, it was fine. I had a clutch and flywheel done under warranty and that cured it.

[sad61t]

What release is it? There's a known history of the R56 Cooper S being very rattly at idle after a few thousand miles. Several posts in mini2 forums about it, some are fixed some not (or return very soon afterwards). Not quite 'they all do that' but a definite trend in that area thread with 2000 replies & 100000 hits!