I just started to notice an odd noise this winter. I recently replaced my thermostat housing and my chain tensioner (the longer replacement). After that day of repairs I started to notice a ticking noise. It sounds almost electrical and starts after a few minutes (with the engine temp at around 100 F) and gets a little quiet the longer I drive. At idle it will go away, but starts up between 1000 - 1500 rpm. It also does not change speed with the engine or tires; it stays constant.

Did I mess something up with my repairs or is it something different? Is it just the cold? Correlation not causation perhaps?

I may try to upload a video tonight.

 

Not 100% sure, but I seem to remember reading that a ticking sound could be a sign of a failing HPFP.

 

Do you have a manual? I had a similar noise and figured it was the TOB but it went away and hasn't returned for a month.

 

It is a manual. What do you mean by TOB. I am a little behind on my acronyms.

 

Throw out bearing - part of the clutch assembly.

 

That is an interesting thought. Do you think that bearing would make this noise even when not in gear?

 

I certainly hope its not the HPFP. Is there anything I can do myself to see if that's the issue?

 

It will only make the noise when the clutch is fully engaged (i.e. your foot is completely off the petal).

Does the noise disappear when you SLIGHTLY depress the clutch?

I would wait till you had definitive symptoms either way. No mechanic will know for sure right now, but they'll be happy to replace your clutch (which is when TOB is replaced) or replace your HPFP.

 

HPFP is covered under it's own warranty, up to 120k miles. If it is the culprit.

 

Thanks everybody! I will keep listening and get a better idea of what effects the noise.

 

I too have been hearing a tick. And as mzacherle said in the OP it sounds like an electrical tick. The kind of tick like a new gas grille makes when your trying to light it. Just a consistant "tick tick tick tick tick" but will quit on its own. Then it will start up again. I've noticed it more when it colder. However, I remember hearing when it was still fairly warm out (80 degrees +).

In fact I have an example that happened yesterday. I pulled my car up closer to the exit door at my place of work to let it warm up a bit. When I was done I went outside towards my car. I had about 30 feet between me and my car. I heard the noise when I stepped out of the building and as I walked toward the car I heard the noise stop. I get in the car buckle up turn the heat from full defrost to auto mode set to 70 degrees. The noise starts right back up with no interaction with the clutch pedal or shift lever at all.

Its an on again off again type of noise. And to be honest I figured it was just a normal noise the car made since it seems to start and stop on a regular basis. I thought perhaps it was the auxillary water pump or something.

I thought I would put my story in to see how it compared and if it would help identify the problem or normal operation.

 

That sounds fairly similar to what I am getting, Grizld700.

I paid a bit more attention to it on my drive home today while I had my scanner hooked up (Torque app). Here is a breakdown of all that I am noticing.

- Noise does not happen immediately at start-up when the engine is completely cold (it is 19 degrees out side today)
- "Tick" begins when the engine coolant temp is reading 100 F
- When at idle, the "tick" does happen but rarely and intermittently
- When stopped and in neutral, if I raise the revs above idle "tick" will start
- The noise is repetitive and quick but does not raise or lower with engine or wheels
- When driving, the "tick" will happen only when I get on the throttle
- When driving and coasting in gear and not on the trottle, there is no "tick"
- Once the engine gets to operating temp (I think 220 F) the "tick" becomes extremely faint, almost unnoticeable if you we not listening for it.

I was going to take a video of it when I got home, but now that the engine is warm you can't hear it in the video. I will try tomorrow once the engine is cold again.

 

I've been hearing an electronic ticking (coil zapping) sound at every cold start since I purchased my MCS in March 2013, it doesn't tick right away but after some time idling after cold start-up. I goes away when engine reaches operating temperature though and never returns until the next cold start.

I have been suspicious of my HPFP for some time now, there's many things going on that point to it and this is only one, where did you read about this being the death song for HPFP's?

 

My 2008 ticks at the start and then it goes away. My Motoring Advisor explained it the hydraulics lubricating the engine. Have had no long term effects or problems with this ticking. I have also had my water pump, and timing belt changed on my car. It is a base model.

 

MINIs (at least the second generation ones) have variable valve timing. At start-up, they can sometimes tick or even clatter like a diesel for a little bit. This is the sound of the valves adjusting. Once they've stopped doing that, the noise stops.

 

cold weather will also exacerbate piston slap until the engine is thoroughly warmed. will sound like a clacking

 

I also hear my valve train at warmup, it drowns out my throwout bearing for a short time. This is when the ticking starts but doesn't last long.