Ok just got wifes new to us 2012 R57 S home. And almost every time when you put key in and push button there is a pretty loud noise coming from valve train area and it does it again when you turn it off.

My 2013 never makes this noise, is there a different valve train in 2012 vs 2013 or is the vanos going ? Car is under warranty so no biggie but it sounds like something moving the valve train . Nothing heard when running, no codes etc.

 

Could be a VANOs solenoid, I had to replace the exhaust side in my '12, but it had thrown a code. Since you're under warranty, I would use it.

 

So is the vanos something that moves when ign on and off ?

 

Good question, hopefully someone that knows more will chime in. My understanding is it's electrically activated, but uses oil pressure to actually change the timing..

 

sounds like a starter grinding sorta for a sec or two

 

Dealer time. That's what warranties are for.

It does sound like a starter grind to me as well--but higher-pitched? I doubt it's good for whatever is making the noise. I'd get it in ASAP to have it checked out.

 

Yes I know warranty time. Just not too much faith in my dealer
Service dept, we leave for vacation tomorrow so it's just gonna sit till Monday as it goes in for a new window anyways . We just bought the car and never heard that on test drive. Just hoping I could guide the dealer as I can't be the first to have had this problem. If I was starting car I'd say starter but this happens when you press button to turn on ign and when off. Other thought is HPFP ?

 

Its the valvetronic motor moving, it hits both endstops before the car starts. Normal operation.

 

This is a visual of what is happening.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...pBXB8K9pfqxM8A

 

Well it got quiet , and is a 2012 different than a 2011 and 2013 cuz I have those and they never made that noise , and now that this one got quiet I wonder why. Either the oil change or the lack of moving from sitting on lot.

I just hope it stays quiet or fails before warranty up

 

Yeah it croaked , p301 limp mode, just got towed

 

Any diagnosis yet, failed valvetronic motor?

 

Thinking unrelated failure, coil #1 bad.

 

A failing HPFP will start the car but it will struggle to get to an acceptable RPM range and its driveable once it settles.

I had this same issue, soundwise, with my old Gen1 Miata and it was the starter solenoid that was at fault. Thought at first it was the battery being loose and not providing enough juice to crank Cheap fix.

Sorry, I know it's apples and oranges but I hope it helps. Cars too new for the starter (and solenoid) to fail IMO.

 

Going to say HPFP also or just a bad coil.

 

Been told by a MINI tech I trust that HPFP is motor driven and only works when car is running , not with IGN on only. I think it is vanos and it got quiet from A use B new oil C it will fail in the future . It's a CPO so I won't worry about it for a while.

WIFE just loves the convertible in the mean time.

 

Yes HPFP is driven off 2 tangs on the intake can and would not cause the noise you here. I think it sounds like a binding valvetronic motor.

 

Got like 4 MINI techs to listen to it , said its throttle body and may have been dirty or may die but later down road. So now I know.