There's a really annoying rattle coming from the radiator side of the engine. I have eliminated the water pump and altenator as the source of the noise. I think it's either coming from the Air con compressor unit or the cam chain. It does it most of the time when idling, and even at higher revs. The engines done about 65,000k's so im thinking the cam chain could need tensioning? Any ideas would be a great help.

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Mini Clubman, 1.3i, air con, 12" mags, pioneer sound system.

With most Oz Minis the only way to tension the timing chain is replace it.
Is it a rattle (chain) or a knock under load (far, far worse..... )?

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

classic timing chain rattle, replace with a duplex one

What he said...^^^
But do buy a decent chain, most of what's out there for sale now is rubbish.
Best I've found is the German made `Iwis' duplex.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I thought it was BMC / Leyland standard practice to have crap chains NEW.

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Website: www.justanothermini.com

Try lifting up the radiator by the cap, or pushing it down when engine is running (use a towel). Could be fan hitting against rad bolts or something like that.

Harmonic Balancer??

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"Show me the Mini!"

it's definatly a rattle. It's not the radiator either because I took that out and made sure the fan was clearing everything I'll disconnect the fan belt and see if it is the air con unit, could be a dry or worn out bearing. Going by what all of you said though it's probably the cam chain. Cos theres also a slight tapping sound coming from somewhere. I checked all the rocker/tappet clearances and there fine and my dad rekons it might have something to do with the cam chain.

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Mini Clubman, 1.3i, air con, 12" mags, pioneer sound system.

I hate the same prob a while ago. It was on one of ma 998's. i could not
find the rattle. turned out being the pulley (where a harmonic balancer is for 1098 and 1275 motors go). it is a shitty spot welded thing that just shredded after a few days of rattling.

Also, it's not an oz engine, it's a later model imported 1.3spi does this make any difference?

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Mini Clubman, 1.3i, air con, 12" mags, pioneer sound system.

rover minis had chain tensioners

it does to my explanation as 1275's had harmonic balancers