NEED HELP 2008 Mini R56 BAD Engine noise 160k

Hello, my mini has 160,000 miles, never had any issues ever!
Now all of a sudden, when you go to start the car it makes a hammering sound while its cranking, once the engine starts its smooth, not making the "diesel" noise of the loose timing chain.(i thought this was the issue)
When its in neutral or park you can rev the engine and its smooth as silk.
When you put it in gear and go to back up or go forward it begins making a popping sound kinda like a ujoint would make.When you begin to drive away it gets loud like the exhaust has a leak at the manifold. It reminds me of when i was young and we would turn our air filter covers upside down on the 360 4 barrel chevy pickup to make it moan when you accelerated. This mini makes that sound as you accelerate away. Heres a clue to someone who knows these cars.
When you stop, put it in reverse and begin to nack up its back to being quiet no pooing or roaring for about 5 seconds then even in reverse the same issues.

The hollow sounding banging while the starter is engages
Popping when you turn the wheel and drive away
Roaring/loud exhaust leak sound when driving
When sitting still in neutral or park rev the engine as high as you want smooth as silk.

Any ideas?

we are going to do this our selves even if we replce the motor or trans, so take it to the dealer isnt an option.....i have a good buddy whos been a mechanic his whole life that will help.

His thoughts: cracked flywheel or flex plate, he asked me if the car has an inspection plate where this can be inspected?

thanks a lot if you can help from your experience

 

you don't state what tranny ?
I'm thinking you have multiple troubles

Exhaust leak ? flex pipe leak?

have you checked the CV joints ?

have you checked the chain tensioners ?

 

All i know is its an automatic...did they put more than one automatic trans mission in the 08 mini base model h?

exhaust leak? sounds perfect when in meutral or park, no matter how high you take the rpms?
only sounds like an exhaust leak when you accelerate away in drive, when you stop and backup if it were an exhaust leak it wouldnt stop for a few seconds would it?

We have a lift and i have looked under it at these points you mentioned.

Seems strange so many things went wrong all at the same time though?

mack

 

Anyone have an opinion?
My mechaninc buddy came by today and agreed the sound mostly heard is a noise like the old days of turning the air breather over on the old 4 barrell carbs to make it the motor moan........
He looked for an air leak ...his thoughts was it was sucking air directly in from somewhere it shouldnt be.....howver he found no such leak.
He said the cv joint all were good. said e dint hear any rattle from the chain. But agreed it was pretty loud now......
Any ideas why one gets loud just out of the blue?
No exhaust leak that can be found...he thought that maybe the engine mounts were worn making the engine rattke noise.

Any help would be appreciated

 

Can anyone help?

thanks

 

Hi,
have you looked at the engine mount bushes,they can go soft and hence the noises you are hearing,going forwards and then in reverse let's them settle in different positions,easy fix if that is the issue,replace with new silicone bushes.
any good mechanic can spot it from 100 paces.engine will vibrate like crazy.