I have an appointment next week to have MINI listen to a whistling sound coming from the engine bay when our cooper (non-S) is warm and sitting at idle. Depressing the brake or the clutch seems to effect the pitch only for a moment before the whistle goes back to its consistent tone. Once the car is in gear and moving, the whistle goes away. The coop is running like a champ otherwise. I thought I'd see if any of you fellows or fellettes had any thoughts? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Just read in R56 forum in Mini2 that there is a alternator recall in UK for whistleing noise , this could be your problem.

 

My dad's MINI does the same thing. The noise started after they put about 3000 miles on it. The squeal seems to be coming from the passenger side of the engine bay. The dealer told us to drive it until they heard of someone having the same issue. Well, the noise became louder and more consistent, so it will be going to the dealer again tomorrow for this problem. Did you ever find out what the noise was?

 

I am in the same situation. Of course, they have now had a problem duplicating the sound... One tech heard it, the main tech has yet to. They have had my car for over a week!!! Anyone figure it out yet??

 

Just started hearing mine yesterday. Im going to see if i can isolate where it is coming from tonight.

If they recall something in the UK...doesnt it make sense to recall it here? Im just a simple engineer, so I dont understand those funny Monetary based numbers they use for recalls and such.

nK

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Llz9p4izLUM

My R56 Non S engine Sound

 

Doesnt sound like that, that sounded normal to me? but maybe the camera wasnt picking up the high end?

nK

PS: Mine also only "squeals" at idle...raising the RPM's even slightly cause it to disappear.

 

Took the car in today for service...they did mention thre is a "noise" that minis make that they have been directed not to follow up on...ie...a do not fix order from MINI USA...

If they dont fix it, i am going to call MiniUSA wheni pick the car up and confirm this...and complain

nK

 

Looks like Betty is staying over night at the dealer...

and since it seems that nobody offers loaners....i get to rent a car...whopie.

nK

 

car rentals are 49/day. They DO NOT have any compacts or subcompacts on sight because "they do not see alot of smaller cars"

 

OMG this is the same problem im having...i just posted a thread cuz i did not find this in the search until I searched in google

Has anyone had this fixed? Any know causes?
I've noticed mine for a few weeks now (at 4200 miles) and it seems to happen after driving a little while (and only seems to happen after a spirited run or a good rev)

 

I don't know if this is the same, but there's a new thread in this section that seems to link the whistle to a bad water pump. Sorry I don't know how to post the link. Good luck!

 

My car just hit 4900 miles and after I drive home pretty fast I was just about to shut the car down and at idle it starts a high pitch whistle. Sounds like the right side of the engine.

mine comes and goes.

Just as a side note. I took my R56S auto to the track for the second time. Same weather conditions and same track my ET went from consistent 15.0-15.2 @ 91-93Mph to 15.8-15.9 @ 83MPH my 60 foot was the same as last time at 2.3 I think my motor or Turbo has given up. I had no plans to go to the track again but it was the only way to relieve my suspicion that my mini had become considerably slower. Not to my surprise it was running the trap speed of a stock 2006 toyota corolla.

Very sad

 

Yeah I think you have the same problem I have. After a spirited run the car would whistle at idle (and slowly to the point of almost every stoplight) I took it in while it whistle and they brought the stethoscope out and the noise was from the water pump (right/passenger side of car). I havnt had it changed yet, but it will go in on tue...my only problem is that they ordered a remanufactured water pump...my car only has 5200 miles why do they think they can put an old piece on??? i want brand new

 

I can't believe that, a rebuilt part. I also can't believe I am saying this but my 2005 Mustang GT with 400 HP had no issues and I sold it at 30000 miles and I am starting to think I should have kept it. Ford was great to work with on the one issue I had that was my fault but they still covered it.

I don't think you are kidding about this because I have had some strange experiences already myself

Good Luck

 

Yeah but the MINI really is soo much fun and once a few start up issues are fixed I think it will run just fine...i am planning on the extended warrantee tho

Yeah I'm just going to wait till I go in on tue to express how displeased I will be if they really install me a used piece...maybe they can give me the cash value of the pump since I did pay for a new one when I bought the car haha...i was kind of shocked/disappointed when I saw that on the piece of paper they sent me to let me know my part was in...

ive heard other people that have had transmission fail within the first few thousand miles got remanufactured trannys...they werent too pleased...i know i sure wouldnt be

 

If it changes pitch with the brakes applied, it has to be electrical in nature; brake lights draw current and that's about all that would be related to engine dynamics.
So the alternator seems very reasonable to suspect. I'd look at the bearings in it if the voltage out is correct.

 

But the OP also noticed it change depressing the clutch...i have the same thing with mine where anything that can change the amount the engine idles...depressing the brakes at idle can drop the revs 100 rpm temporarily at times before the computer compensates for that...i had that same issue and they got out the stethoscope and deemed it the water pump...lets just see what happens once they replace it...will post results next week

 

Well then --- if you're suggesting that I should read the entire post...
I'm afraid that my attention span might, ummm, what was I saying now...?

 

Oh I don't mean it to offend just saying I have the same problem and the techs were able to link it to the water pump....seems certain revs (idle 500-400) bring out the whistle

 

any updates on this? I think my car makes similar noise at idle.. it started recently at abt 3500 miles

 

 

Well I had my water pump replaced, but the whistle is still there...it seemed to really come out in colder weather, it is warmer now so I may have to wait for the winter to take it back in

 

haha that video is funny...i cant believe anyone would want that on their car its soooo dumb haha

 

I'm noticing a whistling sound usually when moving between 0 and 40 mph, almost like an air or vacuum whine (somewhat like the first generation supercharger whine, but I know it isn't that since it's a second generation base cooper). I'll see if it changes any over the next thousand miles and go from there. It's not annoying yet, so for now I'll just keep telling myself it's the supercharger. Greg