The RETURN of the cold start chatter!

[saturn]

OK, so I had the full monty done on the timing tensioner about 3 or 4 months ago. Twice within the past two weeks the infamous "Cold-Start Death Rattle" has come back. I'm wondering, am I the only one that's had the replacement done and had the noise come back in the club?

[suzerp]

Is this only happening on S's?

I have a 09 just-a-cooper that I bought in June. In August I became the owner of a new valvetronic motor actuator because the original failed - for a while before tow-truck day I was getting a weird start up - multiple revs, like I was stepping on the gas pedal (but I wasn't).

Problem was gone until yesterday (maybe). I can't tell if I'm over sensitive because I'm just watching it hyper carefully, or if it's back. When I google, this chatter issue comes up, but I can't tell if it's the same or different.

[Counterfit_Mini]

Is this only happening on S's?

I have a 09 just-a-cooper that I bought in June. In August I became the owner of a new valvetronic motor actuator because the original failed - for a while before tow-truck day I was getting a weird start up - multiple revs, like I was stepping on the gas pedal (but I wasn't).

Problem was gone until yesterday (maybe). I can't tell if I'm over sensitive because I'm just watching it hyper carefully, or if it's back. When I google, this chatter issue comes up, but I can't tell if it's the same or different.

That sounds like the moisture in the throttle body issue. I read it on NAM but usually it happens when it gets cold outside and the moisture freezes and causes the throttle to be all funky. I think they said they resolved it by installing a catch can before the throttle body to catch moisture before it makes it there..

[ddmini]

From what I have read on the various MINI sites, it seems that the fix only works part of the time. There have been a number of owners report that the chatter came back after the fix. Baron replaced the tensioner on mine about 3 weeks ago and so far so good.

[Minidave]

They replaced the tensioner on mine in April, so far so good...........

[LiLReD1]

My JCW does it.

[S-car-go]

Is this a common thing? I got my 09 last Feb and have not yet experienced this. Hopefully I didn't just jinks myself.

[LiLReD1]

Plenty of posts about it on other forums. It's not UNcommon that's for sure.

[Counterfit_Mini]

y I was getting a weird start up - multiple revs, like I was stepping on the gas pedal (but I wasn't).

Problem was gone until yesterday (maybe). I can't tell if I'm over sensitive because I'm just watching it hyper carefully, or if it's back. When I google, this chatter issue comes up, but I can't tell if it's the same or different.

Mine has been doing the the past couple days (also, the check engine light will come on with it). After letting the car warm up and then shutting the car off and turning it back on it usually fixes it. Also found out if that doesn't do it, if you rev up your engine a little (once it's warm) and then restart it, it might fix it.

[LiLReD1]

Well if you have this system, take it to the dealership. My timing chain was lose. Talk to anyone up there, and they should know what yer talking about. If not, just point to the lowered JCW Clubman that's sitting in there, and say it made the noise that one did. (Yes it's still up there.)

[MINImalist]

Just had my timing chain (stretched) and tensioner, etc replaced at Baron. This did fix my chatter at startup. Since the replacement tensioner is beefier, assume this is a factory thang.

[Minidave]

How long had it been making the noise?

[MINImalist]

Many months had it been chattering, but I go reeeeaaalll easy when it does that. Service advisor said sometimes there is even a plastic part that shatters in there, what a mess.

I have had a timing chain go out before, so I am familiar...The MINI chain is a little quieter as it goes out. Anyway, mine was 'stretched', so the paperwork said.

[Minidave]

Why didn't you get it fixed the first or second time you heard it? Why did you wait so long?

[MINImalist]

The "growl" was very short-lived on short start. Also read on other blogs that this was a mini characteristic!

[MINImalist]

I've been to the dealer numerous times for other issues..............you would have thought they would have caught it!?????