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So, I've been searching around, and haven't found much about AC noise here on the forum (for this model).
I've been getting a groaning/whining noise from the AC compressor. Almost sounds like a dying Power Steering pump. I had read about a service bulletin about this on another site. Basically a damper on the high pressure line.
I took the Mini to the dealer today, and the service manager listened to it. He immediately mentioned the bulletin I'd read about. They are installing this on Monday, so I'll report back on if it solves it.
Definitely interested to hear what you find out. I checked Edmunds.com, but couldn't find that bulletin you're talking about. Do you have a link to it?
The bulletin number is
Damper bulletin 64 01 10 ac noise.
I don't have the car back yet, as I ended up buying the JCW tuning kit and having it installed at the same time. They are having computer problems with it, so no estimated time for return yet.
Well, picked up the car, and they hadn't done anything about the ac. Said they couldn't duplicate it. I took the service manager and the tech out and showed them. The tech was like, "oh...yea..." so, it's going back next week for them to actually work on it.
I also have an '10 MSC with only 18,000 miles and quite interested in this sound, Can you please be more descriptive? Do you only hear when idling? Sound disappears when AC is turned off? etc. It would be helpful as I think I have the same issue but don't want to go to dealer just because I read about it here.Thanks.
Ceoengr I also have a 2010 MCS. I just bought it in January and it's starting to get a little warmer hear in Pittsburgh. I turned the AC on the other day for a little bit (high 70's) and it made a weird groaning/whining noise as KevlarR7 stated above. It did however go away after a minute or so of driving.
To reproduce the noise for the dealer, I had them get in the passenger seat, with the car in neutral, I held the throttle at 2500 rpm's. Have the radio off, and the blower fan on it's lowest setting. Then turn the ac on, and the ac makes this horrid groaning noise. To demonstrate that it is engine speed related, slow the engine down, then speed back up, and the pitch of the noise changes with engine speed. Then to further demonstrate that it is the ac, while still holding the engine at 2500 rpm, turn the ac off, and the noise goes away.
Now, a certain amount of compressor noise is totally normal. This is very noticeable. To me it sounds a little like a dying power steering pump (like my truck a few months ago). On the freeway, I can't hear the noise over the regular road noise. Where this bothers me is the part of my commute where I'm stuck in traffic going 30 mph, cause you end up right in the rpm range where it is noticeable.
I have a very hard time believing that this noise is a resonating high side ac line. I'm a motor head, been building/restoring/breaking/fixing cars, boats, motorcycles my whole life. I've worked on every part of a car there is, so I've heard my share of failing parts. It really sounds like the compressor is failing to me, but I'm going to let them explore this damper thing. If it fixes it, I'll be very pleasantly surprised.
By the way, I live in phoenix Arizona. Air conditioning is not an option here, it is a requirement to survive, so this is kinda a big deal to me. It's 8:45 and it's 76 degrees right now..... And this is a very cool day for us.
By the way, I live in phoenix Arizona. Air conditioning is not an option here, it is a requirement to survive, so this is kinda a big deal to me. It's 8:45 and it's 76 degrees right now..... And this is a very cool day for us.
LOL. Same here in Texas most of the time. Currently, i.e. spring time, we go from heat to AC and back & forth routinely every few days . BTW I have a place in Tempe on the lake and am up there quite often.
I just got the car back. Installation of the kit seems to have quieted it a bit, but the underlying sound seems to still be there. Only drove it about 4 miles so far.... I'll report back after my commute tomorrow.
I just got the car back. Installation of the kit seems to have quieted it a bit, but the underlying sound seems to still be there. Only drove it about 4 miles so far.... I'll report back after my commute tomorrow.
I never saw the kit, but I understand it is some sort of damper that installs around the ac high side line, to keep it from vibrating. I really have a hard time believing that what I was hearing was a vibrating line, but they installed it, and it sounds fine.
To the Mini's, Ok,I've got a 2005 Mini Cooper S, with the same symptom's. Also I notice a high frequency vibration in the gas pedal area. The A.C works great .There Condenser fan Works properly and has no fan-induced vibration. There is no groaning unless the A.C is operating, but on an intermittent basis. As a Arcft/Auto Mechanic on many years ,this makes sense.I'm going to look into securing the High pressure line ,so it will not resonate/groan.
Resurrecting an old thread...anyone else have a this whirling noise when the AC is on and you're pulling away from a stop? Goes away after about 3k RPM, but off the line it's def more than just the compressor.
I have the same noise. Dealer repaired it some time ago, but it has slowly returned. The fix consisted of a weight that was attached to the high pressure line. Not sure what happened to mine. It's driving me around the bend. I'm just glad that it isn't audible outside of the car (at least I don't think so!). Looking for a permanent fix that can include replacing the line if necessary.
Got my absorber on. Little tricky to install, but with a jack and the wheel off, you can get both your arms up high enough to screw it on. Working great for me.
. BTW I have a place in Tempe on the lake and am up there quite often.
