I noticed it when I first test drove some Countrymen and also when I listened to other Mini's. I asked my MA about it before I even ordered and he joked "that's just the sound of all that raw power!"

Today though as I started up the car I thought about it again and wondered; why do our engines make all sorts of goofy noises when no other new car I know of does? It almost sounds diesel like. I do put premium gas in by the way.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Nick

 

They are direct injected engines, that means that they have fuel injected directly into the cylinders, like a diesel. These injectors make a clicking sound when they are working, it is more noticeable when it is cold.

Dave

 

My other car is a 2009 VW Sportwagen TDI (turbo diesel). The CMS does not sound like the TDI at all in my opinion.

 

This is my first car that has ever sounded like this. Funky sounds while idling, but I love the driving noises!

 

I love to open my window and hear the exhaust during shifts

 

In sport mode, I can hear a slight pop or backfire. Sounds good, though it probably means the car is not running efficiently.

 

it's designed to make the popping noises during coastdown in gear. Generally it's not a sign of anything bad since I'm sure they're cutting fuel to the cylinders in both sport and normal modes during engine braking.

I think it has something to do with valve timing and ignition (spark) timing during coasting that makes it do this.

I have a miata powered by megasquirt and I can make it do the same thing even without injecting a drop of fuel. BURRBLE BURBLE POP BURBLE POP BURB!

 

My car isn't covered by the recalls. I recorded this just in case......
MINI chain tensioner noise
This the same noise you're hearing?

 

It is a direct injection engine. Many more motorists will have to get used to the noises as more manufacturers start using this tech to improve fuel economy, etc.

After 4 years of R56 engines I am still not used to it.

 

That's the classic British sports car noise. It's basically replicating the exhaust noises you'd get if the engine had a carburetor with a bit rich idle jet. In the 05 & 06 models mini cranked the pop & burble up, but supposedly some American's complained and it was removed from the American market cars for several years, coming back first with the JCW. Jan's been promising for years to add it back into the R56 tune, but it's great to know it's been brought back with the R60.

 

I JUST got my CM 3 days ago, and I am hearing this exact same noise. Should I be concerned? Or is this the direct injection everyone is talking about above?

 

Depends on where the noises are coming from - near the timing chain or not. Now that I have the window or sunroof open more often, I am hearing the noise a lot when next to other cars or objects reflecting the noise back into the car.

Will be checking if it is still the usual DI noise or chain again. Like I said before... 4 years with an R56 and I am still not used to this Prince engine sound.

 

Yup its the direct injection. Our mazda cx-7 (turbo DI too) was even louder than the Mini. Mazda's new sky active (13:1 DI) sounds even stranger at cold startup. Almost like a air compressor/pump at first.

 

I may post this as a separate thread: but at ~4500 miles now, I am noticing a "funny noise" too, but I don't think it's the engine. When the clutch is engaged and I'm accelerating (typically below 35-40 mph), I'm noticing what I can only describe as a "creaking/clicking" sound that increases in frequency as the car goes faster. Think of the sound effect you typically hear fior a "haunted house" door whose hinges creak when opened.

It sounds like it's coming from the back of the car. Only when clutch engaged and accelerating. Can't hear it at speeds higher than 40 mph (but I don't know that it's not there for sure). Another analogy to try to describe the sound: think of when (if) you ever placed a playing card in the spokes of your bicyle wheel. Sounds a little like that (or at least the frequency-with-acceleration part of it).

Clutch engagement with the rear wheels maybe?

Anyone have this problem too?

 

@rcsmrk -- could it be the infamous sunroof rattle? https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...of-rattle.html

That describes the sound that I was hearing.

 

I doubt it because for sure it only happens when the clutch is engaged and I'm accelerating (not when coasting or clutch disengaged). Also sounds like it's coming from the back of the car (and not above my head) but I'll double-check.

 

The sunroof rattle sound is from the back rather than above, because what is happening is that the wind from the sunroof is hitting a small flap behind the sunroof. It's a 1 minute fix that is worth trying. In my case, it worked like a charm - odd flapping sound gone.

 

2012 models don't have the flap any longer, so I doubt that is what he is hearing.

 

Turbo cars have the ticking....it's normal

 

Ha...funny. Reminds me of the VW commercial, "is it fast? It has a lighting bolt doesn't it?" "is it fast? I don't even know if it's street legal!".

Anyways, you're engine is fine, that's the noise it make from the injectors, in either closed loop or open loop from what I understand.

Those that ask of the popping sound, completely normal and intended while in sport mode. Wifes 2011 MCS pops a lot, and loud.

My CMS only in sport mode and it's rather mild. I'll be changing that soon...

 

The weird idle noise is the direct injection. The fuel pressure on direct injected engines is about 2,000 psi verses 60 psi with older style fuel injection!! Our injectors are working hard. The upside and the reasons everyone is going to direct injection include much better fuel economy, lower emissions, more power, and a wider torque band from just above idle RPM to redline. It is a key reason why this engine pulls so well.

 

From my mechanic, and the mini dealership, the popping noise when you let off the clutch is the exhaust venting the excess pressure from the turbo in turbo'd cars. In sports cars this is typically accomplished by a butterfly valve set in the exhaust to turbo connection.

In my CMS, the turbo does this only in sport mode. In normal mode the turbo vents through a different method resulting in more of a fast forced exhale sound. It's normal; and from what I've heard, the popping off is actually better for the turbo than the "exhale"... Less stressful/more efficient.

As for the 'diesel' sound in idle, especially in the cold, that's normal too. Mine made that sound at start-up on the dealer showroom floor. Definitely more pronounced when the engine is cold. Don't sweat it. Embrace it! It's another MINI quirk! 😄

 

Psst... this is a post from 2 years ago....

 

Didn't see the date. Still learning the whole forum thing. Saw the thread; and figured I'd pass on what little I know about the topic, in case anyone found it helpful, like I've found so many other bits of advice on this site.