So I've been getting a bad clicking sound with the car running. Is that a bad timing chain? How important is it to fix right away? Is only the sound the problem or can it cause mechanical issues as well?

 

A clicking sound is probably not the timing chain. Timing chain sounds like pebbles in a tin can. If it is the timing chain, the rattle is a symptom of a mechanical issue that already exists, so you would be driving on borrowed time. Any possibility you could pist a video?

 

Yeah, I'll get one today.

 

It usually sounds worst, but this is what I got

 

Video is marked as private.

 

Should be fixed.

 

jmo, but not the chain rattle. Pretty much sounds normal. Ticking may be a tad on the loud side, but could be location of the mic.

 

That's actually a lot quieter than normal too. I'm glad it's not the chain rattle though, I was kinda scared. I'll be taking it to the dealer soon because my service light comes one when I start the car. I think it's for the little (!) on the back of the car, though I have no idea what that means. I'll have them check out the sound when I take it though.

 

any update??

 

No. I haven't had time to go to the dealer. Most likely Friday.

 

Have you checked your oil level? Our mini makes this sound when oil gets to the low/extremely low level. We learned the hard way.

Engine oil level can drop well before any dummy light or warning comes on, as we found out. On the turbo models, oil can be comsumed by turbo blow back, meaning that it can dissipate faster. For comparison, my F-150 can go a year without losing any appreciable oil level.

It happened about 6 months after we changed the oil, and there was never a warning light that came on, even though we were low on oil. I hadn't been good about checking the engine oil level, and my wife drives the Clubman mostly anyway, so i didn't hear the noise until late, and when i heard it i didn't think much of it. It made the noise for about three to four weeks before the breakdown, according to my wife. Also, it kept getting progressively louder.

Fortunately we were under warranty - i can't remember exactly what happened, but a chain of some sort broke (not the timing chain), and the oil leaked out of the engine. It had to be towed away and fixed by the dealer.

Since this encounter, i've heard the noise again. And i immediately changed the oil, and the sound went away.

One other thing i remember about the noise, it tends to get quieter or go away after the engine is warmed up. But it makes the noise loud and clear when you start cold, and pull away from the curb.

 

I didn't think of the oil. I'll check.

 

I checked the oil. I didn't see any type of line saying full, but it went to the bottom of the highest cone thing. The place where you put in the oil (which I believe is separate) looks empty though. Not sure if it's supposed to be full.

 

Your oil level is probably ok if near the top of the graduations on the dip stick,
but if your not sure how to determine then let someone else check it.

They do get noisy with low oil and tend to disassemble with no oil, get it checked asap.