So when I bought my car I called herb chambers MINI in Boston and had them do a service history by VIN look up. They said the timing chain and tensioner were replaced last year but I have noticed that in cold weather if I don't let the motor completely warm up I'm getting a rattle when I drive. It's not at idle only if I start driving and the car hasn't warmed up yet. Should I take the trip to the dealer and have it looked at? I'm outside of warranty so not really sure what they'll do.

 

Not sure how cold or how loud you mean. I have 2009 S and get some noise below freezing. I had chain checked and no issues. There is some noise with the lifters before oil heats up. I was paranoid after reading all the death rattle threads, but was convinced it's normal.

 

not too loud and now that you posted that I could def see it being lifters making the noise. It's only gotten about 40 degrees out but I notice it more on the cold mornings. If it progresses into something worse I'll take it in but your reply sounds very reasonable to what I'm experiencing.

 

Is there oil in the car?

The noise can definitely just be a little bit of valvetrain/chain noise due to the thicker viscosity of cold oil.

Direct injection systems will also become louder in colder weather until they have warmed up.

 

So I think it's the turbo heat shield. After the downpipe went in it started making the noise at cold start and when taking right turns at high RPMs. I had a tech look at it and he said it sounds like a heat shield.

 

Is this the new heat shield? I have an outstanding recall on my turbo heat shield. Maybe yours gets a free fix?

 

The bolts holding the two halves of the heat shield together as well as the ones affixing it to the engine can be a bear to get to if you have larger hands or are ill equipped. Someone may have not tightened them or omitted them all together.

I know those shields are finicky on how they slide back up and in, so if someone bent them while installing them you may have contact somewhere causing the rattle.

The heatshield that is covered under warranty is a chinsy clip on shield to keep the turbo oil feed line from melting. (wasn't very effective)

 

Thanks for the I for guys. My buddy at my dealership put it in and he is going to take a look at it on Saturday and try and get it tightened. If not I'm not sure what I'll do that sound is intolerable.