When I'm sitting at a light or something my exhaust makes random "pops" like little mini backfires. Anyone else have this happen to them? Thanks.

 

At idle?

What kinda idle are you running, 2k rpm's?

What kind of cam do you have in your car?

 

I don't know. It's a regular MINI Cooper, and I have about 1000 miles on it.

 

I assume you have a stock R56, with no engine mods. I've not noticed any backfire with my 2007 MCS. How loud are the pops?

 

my blackbird only does that when i start her up cold.


I find it amusing. Though i hope its not the cold rattle start thing I'm hearing about.

goes away after a little while.

 

Is the "pop" preceded buy, "snap, crackle, and..."

 

There are two common "pop" sounds from an exhaust -- missing: caused by a cylinder not firing, and backfire: caused by firing outside the cylinder, commonly in the exhaust system. The former is relatively soft, you might have to step to the back of your vehicle to hear it, the latter is relatively loud; people blocks away can sometimes hear it.

 

Is it more of a low "thump" vs. a "pop"? I frequently hear a low thumping noise separated by several seconds while idling. This has been discussed and the consensus seems to be that it may be venting of the fuel tank, but either way, harmless and normal.

 

lacning74 -
That is what it is. It's very random too. Thanks for the info. Are there any threads, on this topic, that you can reference for my reading pleasure?
btw, I had rice kirspys for breakfast and they were delicious!