I have a 2005 Cooper S.

Recently while traveling we noticed a kind of high(er) pitched sound that we had not ever heard before. Rolled down the windows and it was definitely coming from the car.

Stopped and lifted the hood but couldn't really locate it.

Turned off the AC and about 1-2 minutes later the whining went away.

Car drove fine with AC off and no more noises. Tried it again a couple days later and turned on the AC... few minutes later the noise started again, turned off the AC and 1-2 minutes later the noise stopped.

It's about 1.5 hours to visit the dealership and was just wondering if anyone had any ideas.

It does this if the AC is on heat or cold.

(we also noticed it the coolant overflow was low [not empty] but low. Have added more coolant and the level is normal now but that didn't stop the noise).

 

Nobody has any suggestions??

 

Sounds like it could be your blower motor or compressor bearings going bad IMO. Does the sound change at different fan speeds also?

 

I will check tonight. Are you asking if i change it from low to full on the dash do i hear the fan change sounds? if that's the question my initial answer is no. (but like i said i'll double check).

i had the temp setting on 78 today on my way to work (no AC button pressed) and it heated up fine, blew lots of hot air and made no whining.

on my way back home tonight i'll test it again with the AC button pressed and play with the fan to see if it changes sounds.

I greatly appreciate yours (and anyone elses help). my nearest dealer is 200+ miles away and VERY expensive

 

If you put on the AC and the noise comes back IMO it would be the compressor going bad.

 

It definitely (only) comes on when i turn AC on.

Assuming it is the compressor. How hard is it to replace?

Is this what I would need? (http://www.discountacparts.com/Mini-...~01993_NA.html) if so it looks like that shouldn't be too hard to replace (hopefully)

 

After doing a bit more reading....hmmmm.. doesn't sound like this is a DIY job.... at least not one i'm capable of. ;(

 

Check this out

 

I was going to replace my A/C compressor as I thought it was shot because of the funny noises it was making.

Turns out all it needed was to be re-charged. Any good A/C shop can charge your A/C unit, no need to drive 200 miles to the Dealer.

Hope this helps...

 

i get a whine evey now and then with ac running at idle. Sounds normal to me, just a slight whine for about 7 seconds...sounds like what i would think is a ac recharging itslef. Go see if it needs more juice or whatever, freyon?. i wouldent really know alot about the internals of the ac...

 

It's not a whine when i turn it off..it starts as soon as i turn it on (or a few seconds there after) and continues for a bit after. it has never done this before, it just started doing this.

 

It might be the power steering fan- it turns on with the ac for whatever reason. Run the AC and listen under the car. Mine went bad and made horrible noises. New fan about $125 from Detroit Tuned. Takes 5 minutes to install. Easy DIY.

 

Well I did a bit more testing last night and this what I found.

Ran the fan on full (no ac) hot and cold and didn't hear any whining

ran the fan on low with ac active and heard nothing

ran the fan on high with ac active and the whining started and continued till i turned the ac off then the fan stopped about 5-10 seconds later.

i'm sure there is a spot in-between but i made it home before i could test them all

so from that would everyone say it's probably not the AC compressor since it runs fine on low? blower fan motor maybe?

 

Can you run it with the A/C Cold on high and see if the whine is coming from the exterior front fan or the Power steering pump fan which can kick on with the A/C on.

The power steering pump fan is located near the rear of the engine oil pan.

The exterior front fan sets right behind the radiator.

Is the noise coming from the front of the MINI or underneath it ?

 

I had a weird 'nasally' whine from my vents when my AC went bad. It also stopped blowing cold. It's not a terrible DIY job, just a bit of a pain. Did it for ~$300, dealer and independent shop both wanted $1,100-1,200.

 

I would bring it to a ac shop...
The compressor could be fine....the charge could be fine...could be a bad expansion valve....
To be sure, you need a working knowledge of the system, and some gauges to check the system operation of the different components.
changing out some AC compotents (the dryer must be changed anytime the sytem is opened) is not hard, but you must apply a FULL vacuum to the system to remove air+moisture before recharging it, or it will not work right....so the final step is USUALLY to go to an AC shop, and have it sucked out, then refilled with r134A+oil....

 

Just a follow-up.... I was told it was the Power steering fan, it has been damaged.

Replacement is being ordered and hopefully that will take care of everything.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

 

That was my second guess. You are welcome for the help.

Was the fan blade damaged or did something his it ?

Here is a picture of it.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/32416857718/ES2558179/




Thanks

 

They said something must have hit it b/c it was damaged (cage included) so they didn't think it just went bad.

 

I have this same noise on my 2010 mcs. Almost sounds like a failing power steering pump. The sound is definitely tied to compressor engagement, and is engine speed related, so I don't think it's the fan you have. Anyone have experience on this with the r56?

I read on another forum about Damper bulletin 64 01 10 ac noise. They said it solved this noise by placing a weight on an ac line, which sounds odd to me.

It's still under warranty, and I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow, just wondering if anyone had any insight?

 

Try posting this on a gen2 forum...
The 2002-2006 cars have VERY different systems tha your gen2 (2007+ hardtop)....so what is true about one is more often than not, not applicable to the other!!
Be sure to post the info you find from your dealer visit!! it will help others who can DIY it when out of warranty!

 

Will do. I was searching before I posted, and this was about the only relevant thread I found. Guess I'm in the clear to ask the question!

 

I have an 03 S and I am getting a nasty rattle only when the AC is on. I have alta pulleys

 

Can you distinguish where the rattle is coming from? Just to be safe, since you posted in this thread, you can always check the p/s fan to make sure that is still in good condition. The fan housing is located under the car on the subframe. We have an article here that can help you with identifying it under the vehicle. Maybe take a video of the noise and post it for us?