I just drove from LA to Colorado Springs (awesome trip BTW). When I got to around Glenwood Springs area I pulled over for a nap (it was 12am and 14hrs on the road ). When I started my MCS back up, at idle a slight whining sound, or squeal comes from the engine. This is NOT the normal ticking sound a lot of people mention, but a rather intermittent, however quiet yet noticeable squeal. It almost sounds like a belt is just a tad loose, and it does go away when I increase engine speed to anything above idle.

Any thoughts? Just a loose belt or something far more sinister?

 

power steering? somewhere i read that your power steering makes a whine that you will hear when your either going really slow or you are stopped... i could be wrong but ya might check that...

 

You might want to call Schomp MINI in Denver, ask for the service manager or any of the Advisors might be able to give you some information.

303-798-1500 ask for service.

Not sure what that one might be, let us know what it turns out to be.

Glad your trip so far has been good.

 

If you had anything electrical on while you snoozed the alternator would be trying to re-charge the battery and that would whine.

If it was expecially quiet and your windows where open you would notice it more too......

 

When sitting at idle, turn the steering wheel to the left and right. If the whine changes in intensity then its a normal sounding power steering pump. I have gotten to really like the sound of mine.

 

Another simple test, take a squirt bottle of water and spray a little on the serpentine belt while the engines running. See if that doesn't quiet things down.

If it does, you may need new pulleys/idler wheels. Mine were replaced by the dealer at no cost, no noise since. Just a thought.

 

Just dropped my MCS off for this same problem. We shall see what they do/say.

nK

 

Any updates? I now have the same squeal at idle. Thanks in advance.

 

Just when through the same issue on my '07 MCS. Went back to the dealer twice. First was a tensioner. Noise reoccurred. Dealer did a nice job and replaced the water pump. That did the trick. Noice only noticeable at idle and when turning off.

 

Now I'm whining. Any updates on this?

 

It was my water pump also... replaced and whine is gone.

 

Sorry to sound pessimistic, But i have had engine whine for a while and the dealer so helpfully and so concernedly said that they could not replicate the noise. I bought mine December 28th 2007, noise started ~march 2008....dealer kindly told me that they couldnt replicate it and my rental car was becoming to much of an expense to them....after...2 days..hrm...The noise went away when the temperatures rose but now tht the temps are dropping my noise has faithfully returned. I am not sure if I am going to bother going into my dealer. Just pay it down, break even, sell the damn thing........Most likely gunna take it in to get it looked at, lol...just a little bitter right now.

I hope your dealer cares about you unlike a lot of mini dealers. They seem to care about making the sale but not taking care of us. It seems worth mentioning that mini to BMW is the equivalent of Geo to Cadillac. There were BMW customers talking with the SA before my appointment and he seemed overly joyed to accommodate them, then my turn and the charm turned into udder apathy about my problem.

 

I had the exact same problem with my '07 MCS, it turned out to be the turbo charger in the engine. The entire turbo was replaced and then whining stopped.

 

Check out this thread over in Stock Problems/Issues. I'm starting to have the same issue as allot of you. It helps to be armed with info when going in for service.