I've a 2003 MCS with a Helix 15% pulley and new belt also from Helix. Installed last October, I put only about 60 miles on the car before storing for a good Canadian Winter! I'm now getting the car up and running for the Spring and noticed that once fully warmed up I'm getting a definite ticking sound from the pulley area. Sound does not happen until car is fully warmed up and a slight boot on the gas makes the sound go away but after about 5 sec. at idle it returns! Car has very low mileage, about 18 k. I don't use a Mini mechanic so any help that I can get from here would be helpful in a diagnosis and a quick fix. Car is going in next week for a Milltek header/catback install and |I'm wondering if a tow would be better than taking it out on the road for the 20 min. drive. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Injectors do make a ticking noise, it is hard to say it isn't normal. Check the oil level and you should be safe.

 

Easiest way to determine the source of the noise is to use a mechanic's stethoscope. You should be able to pick one up fairly cheap at your local auto part's store. You can also opt for a long screwdriver and hold the handle up to your ear as you rest the tip against different engine components.

 

Thanks HRM but I'm pretty sure its not the injectors. Sound is definitely coming from the pulley/belt line. Also, no ticking until fully warmed up and I can make it end with a lil' throttle although returns as engine returns to idle.
JJ Flash, I know I'll need to locate exactly where the noise is coming from but was wondering if anyone has experienced a similar situ. I've contacted both Helix and Way by phone, I'm told its not something they can help me with over the phone without hearing and seeing the car. I get that, just wondering if someone on Nam has dealt with the same experience.

 

My Idler pulley made a ticking noise awhile back. I thought it was my supercharger pulley, was hard to tell in that close proximity

 

Thanks Intense, that could be it. What was the remedy?

 

I would first check to be sure that the belt appears to be running true and is not frayed. I would also check your crank pulley. They are known to seperate and before they do they could make a noise such as that.
Steve

 

Check the tensioner too, the fact that a load change on the belt makes the sound go away may point to a bad spring. Mine was in place, but totally apart when I changed it. Nothing was holding it on but spring pressure.

 

Thanks for the advice. I was reading another thread, mentioned another MCS ticking, not the same as mine, but after a good thrashing the ticking was gone.
I did mention that my Mini was being stored for winter, that's close to 5 months sitting. So, today I decided to start it up, yup, noise started once fully warmed up, I'm talking a good 15 min. Temp. here is still at the freezing point. Checked the belt, looks perfect, the screwdriver in my ear and up a number of dark holes, provided nada! Oil up the dip stick!
Decided to rev into the white light zone, hmmm....noise when returned to idle much less. Repeated a number of times and tick was hardly noticeable. Will try to duplicate tomorrow and if successful , I think I might have an inexpensive fix for just about any ticking noise. Just send your dollars to www.//What's that Tick & How About A Fix.ca

 

With age the bushings on the tensioner damper get brittle and go bad. You can usually see the shape of the bushings if you shine a light on them. If they're bad, you can either replace tge bushings with Powerflex or buy a new tensioner assembly. I had a bad experience with tge Powerflex tensioner bushings but apparently they came from a bad batch. I ended up replacing the whole assembly. Your description sounds like what I had experienced.

Chad

 

Thanks HRM and Croth...just in from running my Mini. Ticking started up again once fully warmed. Gave a few quick revs and after a couple of minutes ticking is gone. We are taking a trip to my mechanic to install header etc... if the snow ever stops!!!!!!Got another dumping last night, just when a wee bit of grass was becoming visible! So, will do a further inspection at the shop. I will stress a good check of the tensioner, belt condition and bushings.

 

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

 

Sounds to me like your tank vent valve bleeding off tank pressure. Its the black device just above the charger pulley.

 

Thanks Professor, I'll add it to my detailed check list. I think I had my screwdriver on that valve without hearing the ticking sound being transmitted but will make another check tomorrow.

 

might also check to make sure the bolts the hold the pulley on to the pulley hub are tight, i imagine that if one of these are loose, it would cause a ticking noise. if you had more miles on your car, i'd be worried about the condition of the charger itself. it could also be from the belt having taken on a particular shape from sitting in one place for so long, but that wouldn't make sense if you only get the noise when the engine is hot. let us all know if you find out whats wrong.

 

If your car has an Alta style tensioner stop maybe it is hitting slightly.

 

Thanks again Prof, just in from another "search and destroy the noise mission"!
Carefully, sticking my largest driver in my ear, I confirmed your diagnosis.
It is definitely the culprit, so now, what is the solution; wait and see if the noise will go with some driving or immediately replace the part?
Did a little reading up on the Evap.Emission Purging System and understand that a spring/valve/solenoid combo is making the sound. The car, minus the annoying, occasional ticking at idle seems to be at full song!
What's to do ???????
I'm planning my trip to my mechanic at the end of this week, weather permitting and receiving locking header bolts from MiniMadness.

 

on the subject of ticking, maybe i could get some help. my 06 r53 is ticking on startups and sometimes, though rarely, it also ticks after warmed up at idle. throttling up makes it tick louder. its coming from the passenger side of the enigne and for the life of me sounds just like the ticking my truck made when the lifters were loose. took it to a mechanic and he gave it an ear and said its regular lifter noise and its nothing to worry about. but after a bad history with my truck and engine problems i do worry. i also noticed since the temperature outside has gotten slightly above zero, it has decreased significantly, but i still wonder, is it just these beasties are just not happy in -40ish temperatures? is this a problem or should i really not worry and just turn up the stereo to drown it out?

 

Any updates?

 

The Professor had the answer, the ticking was coming from the tank vent valve also known as the Evap. Emission Purging System, that little black unit just above the pulley and to the right!
The car had been in storage for the winter and it seems to have gone after a few miles. Then again, it could still be ticking away but I finally have my Milltek header and catback exhaust system installed and the ticking can't be heard!!!!!
Honestly, the ticking is gone......I'll post again on this issue if it shows up next year after a further winter.
Thanks to all that took the time to help me out.