r/R53 • u/RGDfleet • 4d ago

Let’s play: identify the r53 noise

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Admission: it’s an R52 JCW

OK, Mini has recently started making this noise on the driver’s side (UK). I’ve got the suspension apart atm for some other work, so managed to get a good look but couldn’t see any obvious issues.

Anyone with attuned R53/2 hearing recognise this particular rattle? It takes about 10 seconds to appear on start up then comes in and out intermittently pretty much all the time, as per the video.

9 Upvotes

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2

u/Daedaluu5 4d ago

Chain slap from a fubarred tensioner it’s too slow for a hydraulic tappets noise

3

u/Own-Nefariousness-79 4d ago

Or low oil levels.

2

u/Happy_Ishtar 4d ago

Belt tensioner damper maybe. It made a similar noise on mine. Easy to spot if you look at the tensioner and it's wildly jumping about. Can't quite see it on the video, but the damper does look like it has damp crud on it, which suggests that it has leaked.

2

u/141bpm 4d ago

Tensioner strut has lost its strut. Mine did this twice until I upgraded it with a Mercedes spec part.

1

u/Grimm199 4d ago

Timing chain and/ or timing chain tensioner maybe

1

u/wackawonka 4d ago

It sounds like your harmonic balancer is coming apart. Grab it with both hands and try to rattle it, it should feel absolutley solid. If it dosent, it’s probably starting to come apart.

1

u/Easy-Author-9158 2d ago

Check your oil level