My MCS has 87k miles on it. When listening to the motor, I honestly can't tell if it's starting to have the "death rattle" or not. This is the first car I've owned with a timing chain rather than a belt so I'm not sure how quiet / loud is still considered to be okay. At this mileage, would it make sense to just go ahead and refresh it with a new tensioner?

 

I changed mine out. It was rattling on start up especially on cold mornings. 2 days in a row was enough for me. I also changed out my idler pulley at the same time. Both jobs took under 45 minuets combined with no prep time.

 

"Death rattle" is a gen2, aka, prince motor, not a Brazilian made tritec issue...
Yes...tensioner CAN fail or get weak, but it is far from common...but changing one out is very easy.

 

Sometimes you read all these posts and it causes you to start changing things that might not need messing with. Do you know if it has been previously changed?

 

It has not. Is it one of those things that might fail tomorrow or might go another 50k?

 

Now I'm curious. Is there an service interval for this type of item?

 

I don't know of a service interval. But I can say when it needs to be replaced it will make a sound. Mine did and the old one was crunchy when pressed.

 

Normally a change is much stronger the a belt, but the tensioner needs enough oil, synthetic oil and a lot of fast accelerations will not be good for the chain.

 

Honestly, it's only a 20 min. job, if you feel the need, just by one and have it handy, you'll also need a torque wrench and 19mm swivel socket to make it easier.
Even if it starts to act up and your not home, drive easy and you'll get home no problem, I've never heard of a chain jumping a tooth because of this, esp. under normal driving for a short period.

 

First time I've heard this mentioned. What is different with synthetic oil regarding timing chain wear?

 

A turbo engine has a lot of immediate torque (twice that of a justa).If you do a lot of fast starts the chain will have more stress. The tensioner and the chain need lubrication.When the engine is cold a synthetic oil will be able to perform faster.
The first tensioner was not strong enough, they made 4 changes.Now the problem is solved.

 

When was the last change made on the tensioner and what year model did it come out on as stock?
I have a 2013 "justa" which has started making this cold start "rattle" which lasts around ten minutes before quieting down.

 

You have a 2013 JUSTA, completely different motor than the R53 being discussed here. Most people in this forum don't know a lot about the 2nd gens let alone the Justa. But given you have a 2013 - are you under warranty? Should be unless you drive TONS.

 

Oops, my bad. Didn't realize they had tensioner problems with the R53 also.
Yes our Mini is under warranty and our dealership told us the cold engine start up rattle was normal but I don't think it is good to rattle like that for ten to fifteen minutes before quieting down.
Again sorry for the mistake of posting this on a R53 posting.

 

No problem -- I just didn't want you following guidance and advice from people on this post as it would be completely mis-informed at best. As for your dealer issue -- if you have another dealer take it there and tell them that you are uncomfortable with this noise and/or at the very least get it documented that you complained about rattling during cold weather so that IF there were a major failure you could point to the fact that you had requested they examine it and they replied that it was normal. Some other advice for you -- drop the car off the night before and have them start it in the morning so they can experience it first hand. Might change their opinion on what is normal.

Good luck.

 

OK, synthetic is good... that's what I thought.

I read your original reply as synthetic oil and fast acceleration as both being bad for the timing chain.