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Recently, I noticed that at idle I could hear a whine almost like a squeal. I thought at first it must be the supercharger belt slipping.
I took it in to the dealership to have it looked at and fixed. They did replace the belt and tensioner but the problem persisted. many of the mechanics said they could hear the problem, but the service person did and pushed on for a fix.
They replaced the bypass valve but that also wasn't it. After a week, they still couldn't find it so they gave it back to me to bring in when a MINI rep/engineer was able to help diagnose it.
Since I've had it back I've had a little time to find out how to reproduce it and found that it was most noticable at contant engine speed. If I tip into the throttle or release the throttle while driving or standing still the noise goes away. as soon as the engine settles to the new speed, the noise is back. From the engine bay it almost sounds like it come from the center under the intercooler.
any ideas? If I can get my dealer some suggestions, I might get it fixed more quickly. they claim (which I say because I cannot verify this) that they managed to detect that there was an air leak somewhere by spraying carb cleaner in areas. I believe this is what lead them to think it might be the bypass valve.
So service had it for a while longer and the MINI engineering rep was by to look at the problem. Turns out to be a bad intake manifold gasket. I don't have my car back, yet to confirm it's corrected, but it certainly sounds plausible. I'll update when I confirm this.
04mcs 11/03 buid with 10,000 miles. it has done this since day one only recently it has gotten worse. I guess now I will experience some MAJOR hp increases, now that my boost isn't venting into the engine bay.
edit: I just picked up my car and WOW. It appears the defect was in at engine assembly (brazil). It drives night and day better. I had an 05 convertible as a loaner and I thought, "This is smooth". I just drove my fixed MCS home and it drives just as smoothly. I did have it stall once. I looked and the throttle was drastically oversooting to idle and would get low enough to stall. After a few miles of stop and go, the Ethrottle learned the right idle position. Amazing how dynamically the ECM was able to comp for the air leak.
Last edited by mattcoon; 11-03-2004 at 04:40 PM.
Reason: update after driving home
I have this problem and both my MINI Dealer and alternate mechanic could not diagnose.. I had the belt tensioner and oil gasket replaced but the noise is still there.
I was told not to worry about it... but it scares small children and dogs on side of road. It goes up and down when driving at low rpm (I assume it speeds up and I can't hear it)?
I have 50k on my '04 S and many mods to engine - this came on around 3k ago.
I am not sure what " defect was in at engine assembly" does that mean the manifold gasket was still at fault?
Help, the car sounds like that fat kid in 'Lord of the Flies"
__________________ 2004 MCS -' SLVR BLLT' - Traded for...2011 C Gray Camaro SS + BBK CAI, Diablo Tune, BMR Level 1 handling package /end links, sway bar
2006 MCS JCW GP #0364- 'GalloP' (M1N1 BAR)
2004 MCS -' SLVR BLLT' - Traded for...2011 C Gray Camaro SS + BBK CAI, Diablo Tune, BMR Level 1 handling package /end links, sway bar
