I've been hearing this knocking sound coming from the front left side of the MINI. It just started recently and only happens when I let my foot off the accelerator. The weird thing is that it doesn't happen all the time, but it's enough to catch your attention. At first I thought it's the motor mount problem that many have posted, but it sounds like it's the front left and like I said, it's not all the time. It's only one knock and then it's gone. I can accelerate and break without any problems, but when I let the accelerator go, I get a knock sometimes.

Any ideas? Any help is much appreciated!!!

Tampa MCS

 

Does it occur with turning the wheel? If so, consider a wheel bearing problem.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with the wheel bearing. It's mainly when I go straight after decelerating. I've noticed it in 1st and 3rd gear so far.

 

Its happening to my 07 MCS as well, I started noticing it last year right after I took delivery of the car, but it only happened once or twice and as you said, very faint noise. So I thought nothing of it at that time.

But for some reason, in the past two months it got much much worse. It is a metal tapping noise that comes from the front left section of the car, appears when I go over bumps or uneven roads. So I took it in to Mountain View Mini to have it looked at, they confirmed the noise but when they consulted the factory field rep from Mini, they were told that Mini is aware of the noise but until now they could not identify where it is coming from and therefore no fix is available. Mini is accumulating complaints about this and working on a fix, but for the time being, they assured me that it is safe to drive (I don't know how they could assure something is safe without even knowing what the problem is).

Personally, I don't think it is safe to drive the car with a loose metal part somewhere in the car, it could finally come loose and cause an accident. So I am going to take it to another dealership to get a second opinion.

 

My noise is different. It's only when I let off the gas. It doesn't do it going over bumps and it doesn't do it when I accelerate.

 

have you done any suspension work lately?

 

Nope, no suspension work.

 

can you make it repeat itself? get back on the gas, let off, and noise?

 

Nope...it happens sporadically. I tried to make it repeat itself, but was only successfull maybe once out of 10 tries.

 

Just played around with the noise and I can make it repeat in first gear after a slow take off. Scheduling an appt with the dealer on Monday. I think it might be the CV joint or left wheel bearing. It's definitely coming from the front driver side, but it only happens when I let off the gas.
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could be a lot of things. since you are under warranty...best to let them deal with it. since it can be repeated, it makes it simpler.

 

I have a 2003 Cooper, I think has the same symptoms. I've heard it several times and only after letting off the gas with transmission in neutral at speeds under 20MPH like when you are coming to a stop, but it doesn't happen all the time. The sound will go away when the brakes are applied. I think it's coming from the CV joints or transmission - I have a 5-speed manual tranmission.

Please post your findings after your trip to the dealer.

retroom

 

The verdict is in....it was the motor mount. I just got a call from the dealer after I took the MINI in last night, and they told me that the hydraulic motor mount was bad. It must have been bad for a while since I had A LOT of dried up hydraulic fluid all over the frame.

They are researching one more problem I am having and that's the ticking from the dashboard area. It sounds like a clock ticking about every three seconds. The tech had no idea what it was and is doing futher research.

 

Well....I spoke too soon. Went to pick up the MINI and they did replace the engine mount. However, it did not fix the problem. I drove the car with the service advisor and showed him what I was talking about. He heard the sound and will work with the tech tomorrow to fix the problem.

I was pretty pissed since I had to drive almost two hours only to find out that the problem wasn't fixed.

Let's see what happens...

 

Finally got the MINI back from the dealer and the noise is gone. They told me that it was the bolt for the transmission mount. The tech that changed out my flywheel a couple of weeks ago didn't tighten it and that's what's been making the noise.

In addition they found my thermostat was leaking and changed that out. That explains the water rushing sound I had in the morning. The system had air in it and the thermostat was leaking.

The MINI is all better now and I hope that this is it for a while. A new motormount, thermostat and a tightened transmission mount bolt is enough for one (actually two since I had to take it back) trips to the dealer.

 

hmmm ive got an 03 doing the same symptoms, can only get it to do it every once in a while, i will have to see if i can even find the transmission and check the bolts, and hydrolic motor mount... hmmmm wtf have i gotten myself into???

 

mine is a synched grinding sound coming from the driver's side front wheel, and only happens when the car's been driven for awhile, and only under hard right turns. I had my flywheel replaced a few months ago so I wonder???

going into the dealer (AGAIN) tues so I'll keep everyone posted