Need some help trying to figure out where or what this noise if coming from. Any help or guidance is appreciated. I have an 04 R53 MCS. Just recently purchased it used with 98k on the car. This is the only problem I've had with it within the 6 months of owning it. I have a video on YouTube of the noise: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2tLxD_4jKwM

 

That's a crazy noise! does it sound like it's coming from the passenger side of the car? is your check engine light on? my three guesses are a problem with the belt (doesn't sound like a belt noise to me) a vacuum leak, or something wrong with the super charger.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in, otherwise, if it were me I'd take it to a shop and ask them. To me it'd be worth even a $100 diagnostic fee to figure out what it is and then see if you can fix it yourself or have them fix it.

 

I thought it was a vacuum leak myself, thinking the plastic inlet tube under the throttle body. It's so dang loud it's really hard to pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. I am most likely gonna take it to a shop but it's hard to trust these auto shops where I'm at (Marine Corps Base). I'll do some more digging

 

Gonna throw this out there...

Could it be a failing idler pulley or belt tensioner pulley? They both could "whistle" as the engine revs - if indeed they are failing...

Jack the right side of the car up, pull the passenger front wheel and wheel liner off, start the engine, and listen from the right side of the engine as someone revs it and try to pinpoint the exact location of the noise.

 

Good idea! I will give that a shot tomorrow and post what I do or don't find haha. Thanks for the tip AoxoMoxoA!

 

I'd also have to say it sounds like a vacuum leak. I'd maybe do a smoke test.

 

I'll be on the look out for a decent shop near by. Any of ya'll recommend to just take it to a Mini dealer? Just wanna get some feedback before I drive 2 hours. (Closest dealer is 2 hours away)

 

So it was determined that it wasn't the idler or belt tensioner pulleys whining due to the bearings wearing out?

 

I found this NAM thread here with some suggestions of indy shops in your area. I also know of this website here which lists BMW repair shops in your area. You can give them a shout and see if they do MINI's as well. There is also this one here that is specific to MINI's.

 

Pelican Parts, did some digging around NAM while on duty since I'm unable to take it to a shop or take the RF wheel off and check the pulleys. Read a post about a fella who's supercharger inlet tube (green gasket) had a leak and said had some of the same sounds mine has currently. You/ya'll reckon I should look into that as well? Hopefully I can get under the hood today and see what I can find

 

You could check it out as well. The intake duct gasket has been known to leak (looks like this). Talked about in this NAM thread here. I'd still suggest doing a smoke test if you can.