Howdy folks,

Over the last week or so, I've noticed that after a long drive (56 miles each way for my commute) a chirping sound can be heard from the area of the serpentine belt. The sound is only heard after the car has been running for a while. I haven't heard it when I am doing around the town driving. The Car is a 2010 MCS with 20k miles on the clock. Is it possible that the belt needs to be replaced already? or could it be the tensioner is on the way out? I had the car in for an oil change over the weekend and was told that the belt was checked. Any thoughts?

Cheers!
~MattS

 

Hey there,

I have an update, after my evening commute. The sounds is only heard at idle. When I pulled in the driveway, I needed to clean the inside of the windows so I let the car idle. After a couple minutes the chirping sound went away. After finishing I pulled it into the garage. The chirping sound started all over again.

puzzling...

 

Chirping sounds are more likely a belt, belt tensioner, or pulley. Given the car only has 20k on it, I'd be most suspicious of the belt, but anything is possible.

It could also just be some dirt on the belt, but I would specifically check is to see if the water pump is getting leaky; coolant on a serpentine belt will make a chirping noise, and the water pump seems to be one of the weaker components on the MINI...

 

Thanks, I'll check the water pump tomorrow.

 

Update: I checked all around the serpentine belt and didn't see any leaks. Noise seems to be occurring sooner and much more frequently and louder. Guess it is time to bring it to the dealership...

 

I had nearly an identicle problem and it was the water pump.

 

its not the belt, you have a crack in your Valve cover and the internal mechanism makes a squeaky noise when its warm. Does it only happen once the car reaches 220? Also do you hear a small vacuum leek under the hood?

 

There was known issues with water pumps and tensioner for water pump. They issued a bulletin for the noises , if I recall , noise under 1100 rpm was water pump and above 1100 was friction tensioner. Pretty common thing if they issue a bulletin for it.

 

I don't have a temp gauge, but that sounds about right. Come to think of it, yes I think I did hear something along those lines. Will check it at lunch.

 

its an internal leak you wont be able to see it. If you can hear the vacuum leak for a few seconds after the car is shut down with the hood open (while standing infront of it) Also if you get a P1497 code, its an unmetered air leak.

I just changed my vavle cover myself and problem solved. I even had it at the dealer they said they looked for five hours and couldnt find the problem then told me to get my car out of there because I have aftermarket tubes.

I told them when I took it in it sounds like the valve cover is cracked. It took 30 minutes to change, the people at the dealerships are on the verge of incompetence.

 

I have the same noise and I'm taking in my car for service today for the cold start rattle. I'll let them know what I found out about the chirping.

 

I had my timing chain replaced when my car was in the dealer. They said the chirping sound was the tensioner. I told them it was not, it was coming from the area of the pass side rear on the valve cover or maybe the drive belt.

They fixed the timming chain and said , see the noise is gone. (they didnt let it warm all the way up to 220) but told me they did let it "warm up". So on my way home the noise came back, i had to take it back in again and thats when they just gave up and asked me to come get my car.

Just make them let it warm up to 220. it takes almost a half hour at idle in the cold.

 

I even purchased a serpentine belt friction tensioner because I thought that was the problem allong with the valve cover, but as soon as I replaced the valve cover or (cylendar head cover) the noise was gone.

 

If you would, please post back hear what they had to say. I want to make sure I have enough information to address any and all questions they may have and speak intelligently, while doing so. It is over an hour ride to the dealership, so I would only like to do this once.

 

I should be getting my car back tomorrow or Friday so I'll post up here when I find out more

 

Update: On the ride home after about 40 miles, the chirping was quite loud at stop lights. I decided to call the dealership and get it looked at. I will be driving it in on Friday and was told to give them a call so they know when to expect me. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

They replaced my water pump. I'll let you know if that stopped the chirping or not.

 

Thank you for the update!

How many miles on your Mini?

 

Update: I am at the dealership, brought the car in while it eas exhibiting the sound. They put it up on the lift and found that the water pump was leaking. *crosses fingers*

 

There is a specific bulletin for the water pump and water pump pulley making this high pitch noise when engaged. Your dealer should know better!

 

M 11 03 09
December 2009
Technical Service


This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M11 03 09 dated December 2009.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Whistling Noise from the Water Pump Area


MODEL
R55, R56, R57 produced up to June 2009


SITUATION
A whistling or squealing noise is heard from the engine at idle and/or at higher engine speeds.

CAUSE

1. Noise is caused by the water pump.

1. Noise is caused by the friction wheel of the belt tensioner.

PROCEDURE

1. Run the engine up to the operating temperature. Confirm that the noise is coming from the area around the water pump during engine idle speed.
2. Increase the engine speed up to 1,000 rpm.
3. If a noise disappears at 1,000 rpm or higher, replace the water pump. Refer to Repair Instruction RA11 51 00, found in MINI TIS.
4. If a noise is still present at 1,000 rpm or higher, replace the friction wheel of the belt tensioner with the improved part, P/N 11 28 7 571 833. Refer to Repair Instruction RA11 28 035.

 

33,500 miles. Still makes the chirping noise :(

 

Sorry to hear that. My chirping sound is gone with the replacement of the water pump.

Thanks to all who posted to this thread.

 

i got the same problem. Car in dealer this morning, advisor said possibly water pump. Will see what the mechanic say when I get it later today. Car under 5K miles

 

Just a couple things...

1) is this issue only with the "S" or the Cooper or both?

2) also, this is a little off topic but while talking about the serpentine
belt..how often does that get changed and can someone post some instructions on how to do it?