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Just purchased a 2006 Mini Cooper S. Car runs good and smooth but i have noticed a rattling/vibrating sound coming from the passenger side of the engine bay at idle. It doesnt sound like a timing chain noise. At idle it just sounds like a loose bracket that is vibrating against metal. At about 1500-2000 rpm the noise goes away but returns as the vehicle returns to idle. Also, it seems to wind down when turning off the engine, like a failed bearing though I would think that if this were the case the noise would be present all the time and not disappear as rpm's are raised. Any thoughts on what this might be? Thank you.
My guess - idler pulley? Or belt tentioner?
If you have the belt tensioner tool you can remove the belt to help narrow it down.
Thanks for the reply. I have just ordered the tool. I was worried that it might be something with the supercharger but the previous owner said he just did a service on it.
Thanks for the reply. I have just ordered the tool. I was worried that it might be something with the supercharger but the previous owner said he just did a service on it.
Now that you mentioned the supercharger - It might be a good idea to get a (cheap) stethoscope while waiting for the tensioner tool to arrive and probe around while the belt is still attached.
I think I picked one up at my local Advance Auto crap store for about $12 - $15 (?). The tensioner tool is a must have but having a stethoscope on hand wouldn't be a bad idea either. These engines can be noisy at times when something isn't right..
a rattling/vibrating sound coming from the passenger side of the engine bay at idle. It doesnt sound like a timing chain noise. At idle it just sounds like a loose bracket that is vibrating against metal. At about 1500-2000 rpm the noise goes away but returns as the vehicle returns to idle. Also, it seems to wind down when turning off the engine,
If it sounds like bb's in a coffee can, it might be this thing
Thanks for the reply. Its kind of a scratchy/rattly noise. Hard to describe but definitely coming from the idler or tensioner pulley area. I am going to try to get a video later for better reference.
These engines can be noisy at times when something isn't right..
Lol, i am finding that out. I bought a 2002 S about 3 weeks ago. Needed a timing chain tensioner but ran good otherwise. Put a tensioner in it and less than 50 miles later it spun a bearing. Thankfully i wasnt out but about 500 bucks. I fell in love with it though in that 3 week time period and decided to take a chance on another one. Hopefully im not digging another well....
Just purchased a 2006 Mini Cooper S. Car runs good and smooth but i have noticed a rattling/vibrating sound coming from the passenger side of the engine bay at idle. It doesnt sound like a timing chain noise. At idle it just sounds like a loose bracket that is vibrating against metal. At about 1500-2000 rpm the noise goes away but returns as the vehicle returns to idle. Also, it seems to wind down when turning off the engine, like a failed bearing though I would think that if this were the case the noise would be present all the time and not disappear as rpm's are raised. Any thoughts on what this might be? Thank you.
Update...
Go in the car this morning to go to work. Fired it up. Same rattle as was described but for the first minute or so i had some belt squeal. Then it was gone.
Go in the car this morning to go to work. Fired it up. Same rattle as was described but for the first minute or so i had some belt squeal. Then it was gone.
Would drive the car as little as possible at this point, if at all. Squeal = belt slippage. Need to find out why.
Indicates issues with one or more pulleys; supercharger, AC, alternator, idler, belt tensioner and my personal favorite, the crankshaft pulley / harmonic dampener, a known, very common issue on these cars. Probably should have been a recall, but naturally it wasn't because BMW.
As was previously suggested, when the belt tool arrives you can pull the belt and spin over each pulley by hand, attempt to shake it axially and radially to check for play, binding, grinding, excess resistance, loose mounting bolts etc. All pulleys should be smooth, even, and quiet; no rattle, no play, no spinning resistance.
If you have the original crank pulley / dampener on the car would just outright replace it regardless (get an ATI or SFI/PRW). It's not a question of if, but when with these things. My belt made a massive squeal and then a big "SCHTOK" sound before the AC instantly stopped running and there was a strong smell of burning rubber. Then the car died. At first I thought the compressor seized but it was the crank pulley that upon inspection discovered it had separated neatly into two halves like a bagel. Pic related:
Would drive the car as little as possible at this point, if at all. Squeal = belt slippage. Need to find out why.
Indicates issues with one or more pulleys; supercharger, AC, alternator, idler, belt tensioner and my personal favorite, the crankshaft pulley / harmonic dampener, a known, very common issue on these cars. Probably should have been a recall, but naturally it wasn't because BMW.
As was previously suggested, when the belt tool arrives you can pull the belt and spin over each pulley by hand, attempt to shake it axially and radially to check for play, binding, grinding, excess resistance, loose mounting bolts etc. All pulleys should be smooth, even, and quiet; no rattle, no play, no spinning resistance.
If you have the original crank pulley / dampener on the car would just outright replace it regardless (get an ATI or SFI/PRW). It's not a question of if, but when with these things. My belt made a massive squeal and then a big "SCHTOK" sound before the AC instantly stopped running and there was a strong smell of burning rubber. Then the car died. At first I thought the compressor seized but it was the crank pulley that upon inspection discovered it had separated neatly into two halves like a bagel. Pic related:
I used the wrong word but its a chirp chirp chirp and not a squeal. Still most likely pulley related as you said. Question though. What mechanically keeps spinning after a cars engine is cut off? The noise i am hearing continues on after the car shuts off, like an electric fan or spooling down turbo.
How long after shutting down and how long does it "chirp" after shutting down. After a drive, before killing the ignition - can you pop the hood, shut down and run to the engine bay to hear where it may be coming from? Could be the fan bearing/armature?
My suspicion - a failing idler pulley (bearing noise) still spinning ready to desintergrate? Since you say the noise is coming from the passenger side.
Of course it's just a guess, mind you.
How long after shutting down and how long does it "chirp" after shutting down. After a drive, before killing the ignition - can you pop the hood, shut down and run to the engine bay to hear where it may be coming from? Could be the fan bearing/armature?
My suspicion - a failing idler pulley (bearing noise) still spinning ready to desintergrate? Since you say the noise is coming from the passenger side.
Of course it's just a guess, mind you.
so the belt chirp happened this morning and it only lasted for about 30-45 seconds. did it again at lunch today but again it was there and then it wasnt. it runs on for 3-5 seconds after killing the ignition. i will get a second pair of eyes and ears to help me diagnose this evening and will be digging in a little further when the tensioner tool arrives
So I'm pretty sure i have a few issues going on after digging a little deeper tonight. With the engine running the i can see a pretty good vibration in the tensioner. The upper most bolt that holds the dampener on seems tight but i can see a piece of what i am assuming is the rubber bushing bouncing around on the exposed threads. I know i can replace the dampener by itself but should i get just the dampener or buy a whole new tensioner? Detroit Tuned has a package deal going on right now with a tensioner and idler pully for 160.
The second issue is the scratchy, failing bearing sound that winds down for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. After shutting the engine down the noise sounds like its coming from the rear of the engine on the passenger side. Its not pulley noise. It seems to be related in some way to the clutch. I get the noise either way but its not as "in your face" at times depending on the position of the clutch pedal when the car is shut off. I dont notice the noise when the car is running or with the pedal in or out. I only hear it for about 5 seconds after the car shut off. What could this be and is it normal to have this kind of noise? Could it be the throwout bearing? Something else? I have some general knowledge of car mechanics but this is over my head.
I know i can replace the dampener by itself but should i get just the dampener or buy a whole new tensioner? Detroit Tuned has a package deal going on right now with a tensioner and idler pulley for 160.
When mine made its racket I just replaced the dampener (mini shock). Then and now, the factory tensioner seemed to be working fine.That said, I keep a spare tensioner and idler pulley in my pack up kit. The plan is to run the factory originals for now and replace in any case at 100K. The car is at 68K.
$160 is a decent package deal from Detroit, but would reserve final judgement for the shipping. Meanwhile not a bad INA package from Rock Auto, $123 includes a belt and idler, and only $7 shipping (to my location anyway) and they always throw a cool refrigerator magnet in the box: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ensioner,11659
The second issue is the scratchy, failing bearing sound that winds down for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. After shutting the engine down the noise sounds like its coming from the rear of the engine on the passenger side. Its not pulley noise. It seems to be related in some way to the clutch. I get the noise either way but its not as "in your face" at times depending on the position of the clutch pedal when the car is shut off. I dont notice the noise when the car is running or with the pedal in or out. I only hear it for about 5 seconds after the car shut off. What could this be and is it normal to have this kind of noise? Could it be the throwout bearing? Something else? I have some general knowledge of car mechanics but this is over my head.
Five seconds is a long time for something to run out / spool down after motor shut-down, which itself takes what, maybe 1 second after turning the key off? Three things come to mind:
>HVAC fan
>radiator fan
>power steering pump and/or cooling fan
The first two should be easy enough to check in the driveway with a helper, the last one probably needs the car in the air to be sure. As for the clutch would try shutting the car down with the clutch in, and then out (in neutral). See if the noise is related to the gear works turning with the clutch engaged while idling in neutral etc...
