Hi, brand new guy here. I recently acquired 2012 Countryman S All4 and so far I'm loving it. The only thing that bothers me is this weird noise that seems to be coming from the transmission or transfer case area??? It sounds like a gear whine. It doesn't affect my driving, the car runs smooth actually, just that noise that bothers me. It happens when I'm around 25%-40% on the gas pedal. The noise will last for about 4 seconds then it'll come back after 2 secs or so. Coasting on the freeway, the car is silent, until I step on it. I'm thinking maybe a low tranny/transfer case fluid? What you all think? Here's the video of it:

 

Could be a bad transfer case. I had mine replaced under warranty a few years ago. It did a similar howling noise under light load. And it's doing it again. And I don't want to think about what that might cost me.
I also was getting intermittent DSC / Brake warnings the first time (and this time, though large bumps in the road may be the culprit there).

I did also notice I was low on (engine) oil, so maybe check that too.

But yeah, light throttle when RPM is around 3000 or slightly above. I almost wonder if VANOS has something to do with it--if the oil is low. advacing the intake cam can sometimes make a change in the engine note and around that RPM is a reasonable place to do it .. under light load especially.

 

Brought it back to the dealership and they're looking at it now. Initially they diagnose that it was the water pump, but the noise did not disappear. Now they're replacing the transfer case. Ill update once I get the car back.

 

Funny story that isn't making me laugh:

They told me my noise was heat shields rubbing. I went back and forth with them asking "are you sure, it sounds like another transfer case..." and they gave me 37 reasons why they were confident. OK I said, but if it isn't, remember these conversations.

Today they tell me the heat shields were all replaced and the noise persists. It's the transfer case. I said nothing, I think the service tech was very embarassed. They already replaced the DSC / Yaw sensor ($$$) and the heat shields (labor was ridiculous) but they are telilng me they'll eat 1k in labor becasue they goofed. I aslo requested a significant extension on parts and labor warranty on the transfer case repair. Standard at this dealer is 2 years.

On the one hand, they totally screwed me with a really off-base diagnosis. On the other hand, I didn't really have to ask for them to make it right. Or at least come most of the way to making it right.

 

Almost the same thing when I dropped off my countryman. The mechanic rode with me so he can hear the noise. After hearing it, he said it might be the vacuum (brake booster) and I told him that I'm pretty sure vacuum noise does not sound like metal grinding together.

 

Any Updates? Was it the Transfer case?

 

Any updates? Was this the issue?

 

They replaced the transfer case and the noise is gone.

 

Thanks, My car is making the exact same noise. Just picked up a 2014 transfer case with 70,00 kms on it, hoping it was the issue. This is reassuring, I appreciate it.