Ok so I've had my new U.S. MCS for about 2 weeks now (some of you may recall I sold my Euro-spec MCS when I moved to the States), and a few seconds after I start it up, I often hear a faint "ticking" sound coming from the rear passenger side of the car. It kind of sounds like a turn signal, only fainter, and lasts about 10 seconds or so. During this time I'll also hear about 4 or 5 muffled "thumps" coming from the same area, and in fact the vibration caused by these "thumps" can even be felt slightly in the cabin.
This only happens a few seconds after starting the car and occasionally while parked at idle. It seems to do it more often during cold weather.
Any ideas?

 

Calvin--

Glad to hear you've got your "replacement" toy! Once you've gotten to know it better, I'd love to see you write up a review of Euro spec vs. US spec...

As for the ticking/thumping, I don't know what it is, but I have it too. Goes away once the car is warm, so I figured it was something heating up and expanding. Can't say for sure, though...

 

If you lift the bonnet you can see what it is. I don't know what's it called or what it does. It's the black thing right up front. It looks like it has a vacum line going to it but on further inspection they appear to be wire harnesses. You can hold it and feel the ticking, very odd.

 

I had that same sound when I first got my mini. I don't know what it is but it went away after a while.

 

Wow, I can't believe no one in the NAM Community has an answer to this!
I guess we're all stumped!

Again, it's a tick-tock-tick-tock from the right rear of the car accompanied by 4 or five muffled "thumps".

Anyone? Anyone at all?

By the way my Euro-spec MCS didn't do it, so I'm guessing maybe it's coming from some emissions-control component present in U.S. MINIs?
I'm clueless..


_________________

 

My friend Calvin:
Its good to hear from you, we all miss you here in Mexico City, we hope that you can visit us in the future.
Bu the way Im going to San Diego In Jaunary, so send me a PM.
Remember youre Mexican Mini Club.
cheers.
Chobe

 

Here's my best guess at analyzing over the internet:

Most of the time, those types of ticks are related to the heat shielding for the exhaust. As it heats, it expands and "ticks", and it usually does the same thing when cooling. Most of the cars will stop after a while, as the shielding gets itself fitted using this constant process.

The black hose is another sound altogether - and is also pretty common. That is the crankcase vent coming out of the PCV. If it gets soft enough, and a lot of them do, it will eventually sound sort of like an elephant under vaccuum. The dealer should be familiar enough with it now, so just stop by to get a new, harder, hose.

Hope that helps!

Randy

 

Aaahhhh...thanks for the insight, Randy. So maybe my Mexican MINI didn't make that sound because it never got cold enough in Mexico for any real exhaust shield contraction and subsequent expansion at idle? I still don't understand where the accompanying muffled thumps are coming from, though. Part of the same process?

And Chobe! .... The Mexican Job forever, my man!
Hope to see you in San Diego!