So for the last three-four days I've been having this weird whistle sound at startup for about 20-30 seconds. Can anyone justify that is possibly coming for the exhaust? Maybe a leak? It is pretty loud

When listening to the video, I would recommend you don't wear headphones.



Thanks!

 

No one has any ideas at least?

 

Rob, somewhere I saw a TSB on this. I believe something with the exhaust gaskets. I will try to find it.

 

I just looked and I also see that it could be your water pump or tensioner. I will find that bulletin.

 

Sweet that's just what I need if that's the case. I searched on YouTube but couldn't find the same issue. Thanks if you can find that thread. I'm taking it to my exhaust guy Monday.

 

Did you call ECS about the muffler or going a different route?

 

I did but they were closed when I called. Just hoping I can get the muffler for a good price. I am also gonna call minimassparts and pelican parts too. I have a magnaflow but it's way too loud without the resonator and I don't want the resonator on since I already took the second cat off.

 

I was thinking if getting an OEM R56 cooper s muffler and put bigger tips on it and add a catless DP. I might just get the perfect not too droney exhaust.

 

That could work. Good luck either way. I am still trying to find the TSB. I hope I can.

 

Thanks, I really appreciate your help! I think I owe you a few.

 

You are welcome. You owe me nothing. I like to help when I can.

 

I have heard a belt tensioner make a similar noise just before it exploded, but not on a Mini. In that case, the pulley was wobbling and made the alternator also "shimmy" which lead to such a loud noise. When the alt pulley shimmied the cooling fans scraped the alt housing. To me, the recording sounds like metal on metal. Good luck.

You say it only goes 30 seconds or so? And never does it on a "hot-start"? Only cold starts? Have you tried belt lube and watched the tension pulley at start up?

Suppose it could be an exhaust leak, but it wouldn't stay high pitched for very long before it became louder and lower in tone as the hole size increased. I see it is a Turbo, there are a few tight spots that could leak in that system. When it is making that noise, does revving up the throttle make it instantly disappear or raise its pitch/volume first?

 

Today I listened closely and heard the whistle sound come from the engine compartment. It sounds like a leak but couldn't pinpoint exactly where.

 

The more I listen to this it sounds like some kind of roller bearing on it's way out. It's hard to diagnose unless you can physically feel the smoothness that rotatinng components have on the bearing. This would be stuff like the friction wheel and belt tensioner on the front of the engine. I had the same issue on my Sunfire with an idler pulley that's bearing was shot. It's easy on that car to reach down and feel, but on the MINI you'll need to take out the passenger wheel liner and relieve the belt tension to check it.

Aren't cars fun to fix

 

Clearly it's this..



(Ok, sorry.. It's all I can think of as soon as I read the title...)

But, it does remind me of a belt tensioner sound. It's crude... But with the car running.. Spray water on the belts... See if the noise changes or goes away..

 

Hahaha damn that was ghetto...I can't believe people think that's cool.

 

It was only a matter of time till the whistle tip video got posted.

WOOT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

 

Update for those looking at this thread. It is my PCV connected to the valve cover. To get fixed it'll be $450. Going to the dealership now to tell them to fix the issue. I'm not paying this out of pocket!

 

Well glad you figured it out. Things sometimes are not as easy as them seem. Good luck.

 

$450 !!!! for a PCV replacement???? What, NASA rubber o-rings? Please detail this repair for us.

 

Okay so it's like this, for the N18 it's different compared to the N14. Our PCV system is connected to the stupid valve cover, good job MINI might I add, so with that said the part to replace the PCV broken part and replace the valve cover that's connected with it. The parts are $345 alone. $100 labor but Detroit Tuned said I could do it myself but I don't have patience with stuff like this.

I took my claim to my dealership who are good people there and nice. I simply explained the problem and that MINI should fix this ridiculous issue out of good-will. They sent the issue over to MINI USA and I will hear back by Wednesday or Thursday. I'm not paying for something I didn't break and shouldn't break at 54k miles...

I will keep you guys and gals updated.

 

Damn....rooting for you man