Hi, I've been having a problem for a while now with a noise in my steering on my '06 Mini Cooper. When I start it up it will make a high-pitched squeel when I'm turning, and kind of a 'tink' noise like you were strumming a rubber band (for lack of a better description). This spring I had them check it out at the dealer and they took it apart and said there was no problem. Didn't hear much this summer but now that the weather is getting cold again, it's pretty noticeable. The noise disappears once the car is up to temperature and running for a while. Oh yeah, and when I start it up there's a 'whooshing' sound, like something is being pumped through (steering fluid?). I'm kinda perplexed since the dealer had said things were fine, but that noise is not fine. Any thoughts/help are appreciated, thanks.

 

Sounds like the belt. Or the power steering going out. Take a look at both.

 

Lots of the MINI PS pumps whine like that... bugs the heck outta me but apparently not a sign of impending failure... the whoosing sounds like air in your heater core or elsewhere in the cooling system - may need to be bled.