I have been using only 91 octane and I have found the sound clip. I got it from TLS forum (http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showt...&page=20&pp=40)

http://www.handruin.com/public-files...7_tls_ping.mp3

You can hear it after 10 sec slightly and between 20 and 25 sec vividly.

 

spam.at.trash, it sounded normal to me. Just sounds like accelerating. If you're worried about it, just take it to the dealer.

 

just to rule out detonation - any chance you can find some 93 octane?

that seems the simplest explanation

AFAIK the Mini includes a detonation sensor which is essentially a microphone attached to the top of the block - it listens for ping, and the ECU adjusts timing accordingly

mind you I'm an R53 person so I may be missing the point

cheap test though, if you can find the fuel

 

I emailed that sound clip to MINI service manager and we will see.

russr, If you listen around the time of 20 ~ 25 seconds you can hear lots of the ping from that sound clip. And that is what mine sounds like too.

cmt52663, around hear I cannot find any 93 octane....

 

spam.at.trash, I'm not sure the service manager will hear anything unusual either. Maybe I'd hear it if I were driving your car? Anyway, I know you can't find 93 in CA, but perhaps you can try a different gas station and see if it goes away.

BTW, is this different from the tapping/clatter noise you described in your original post? I think it is isn't it?

 

Yeah, maybe because I did not know what to explain when I posted this topic. And I could change the title to "sounds like pinging".... And that sounds are what I wanted to explain to every one.

 

It could just be the variable valve adjustment system doing what it does... the VANOS system on modern BMWs makes a sound similar to what you describe.

 

agranger, I am not sure what the VANOS is and how it works...

And I am pretty sure it only occurs when the engine is fully warm and warmer days(?). Still I am waiting comments from MINI service manager.

 

My buddy owns a 2007 direct injection A4...and I had him listen to my clatter...He said it sounded normal for DI engine. His A4 kinda sounds like a diesel as well.

But I'm still monitoring the sounds...But mine really taps when its been sitting for a while.

 

I think that the sound clip that was posted here by spam.at.trash sounds normal. I just hear the engine going...the only other noise I hear is a faint background noise of something small crawling in a metal pipe . It's very faint though...is that what you're calling pinging?

 

I am not sure why you laugh at me, but if you are saying the sounds between 20 and 25 seconds from that clip, yes it is pinging.

 

My MCS has passenger's side window problem, so I took it over to the dealer for a quick check (under moderate to high load there is a rapid ticking sound coming from engine, but not terribly loud though) last Thursday.

The tech person ride my MCS by himself and simply I got this "could not duplicate"..... Also service manger said the engine is OK no problem. I heard the sound but they couldn't hear them??? maybe next time I will make an appointment for a schedule service and ride with me to check the sound.

I will post another one for passenger's side auto-up window problem.

 

Same here. Mine is 2007 MCS Auto with 4,300 miles.

 

ejkd, sorry if you read this thread again, your problem is ticking noise from engine or auto-up window problem?

 

I'm really worried now guys! My 08 s started with the rattle below 3000 RPM yesterday. Today I went to the dealer and they thought it was a lack of oil, but the rattle persists ALL THE TIME whenever the engine is under 3000RPM. Does anyone know if Mini has a solution yet???

Thanks!