Well after doing a small search, I came across some threads but didn't find the answer. So I have to ask.

I hear a small squeal/screatch coming from the engine bay when I reach around 105-110 mph with no AC on. With the AC on, the same noise can be heard sometimes between 95-100 mph. It's a random noise and it's not there on a consistent basis. Car only has 11,000 miles on it if that helps.


This may sound stupid, but do the stock Mini S's come with a release valve for boost and could this just be air getting released? I also have a 15% SC pulley on the car and could that be a factor? Or is it a belt that may be causing this noise.


Any info from y'all is appreciated. Oh by the way, this is all on track time.

 

Probably youe serpentine belt. BTW, those speeds are illegal in the U.S. I hope you were on a track going that fast.

 

Why would it be the serpentine belt and would I need to already change this with only 11,000 miles on it?

Also, I don't know if you have been on the 15 freeway lately out here but going 90 on the way home from the Big SoCal Euro meet almost got me run off the road by mini vans and large SUVs. 90-95 has me in the slow lane. And that's no joke.

 

I've witnessed the same thing on I5. Doing 95 in the slow lane. Cars flying by, at least 110. We passed 2 parked CHP cars on an on ramp. They weren't interested even though the speed limit is 70.

Is the noise coming from the windshield? I've seen videos of Mini's on the autobahn at triple digits with a serious whine from the windshield. Putting pressure against the windshield stopped the sound.

 

If it was the windshield wouldn't it be a more consistent noise?

This noise is something that doesn't happen every time. It's not a consistent noise, but if it's something bad, I need to probably get it fixed.

It almost sounds like a small whine.

 

IB4TL!

 

Why would this be locked?



Any more info before this thread gets locked? AND if it gets locked, how would I ask this question than mods?

 

Nope. My windshield howls whenever it feels like it. No pattern, and sometimes it starts at 70 (a legal limit). We assume your high speed was at the track, yes?

JUST SAY YES!

 

YES I was driving at the "track" and I was going down a long straight away and these noises happened. I was actually driving down the salt plains in the desert.


On the freeway, driving normal speeds, I have no noise. BUT that's not my issue.

"I feel like I'm taking crazy pills."

 

From the Site Guidelines:


5. LEGAL
Posts relating to street racing, excessive speeding, or violations of other laws are prohibited. If you want to race, take it to a legal venue.

 

All of my posts have been edited to please the majority on this forum.

But, even though some good info has been provided, I don't think I have my answer yet.


I guess I'm going to need a lot more "track" time to hear this problem.

 

LOL. It's not a question of pleasing any of us, but the mods and the owner of the site!

Me personally, I would rather you not get in trouble with the powers that be.

 

Thanks for the advice. Now what else could be this dang sound?

 

If it's not the windshield (usually towards the top), and the belt isn't doing it, what about your water pump or SC shaft? Another thought, check the seal between the hood scoop and the intercooler.

 

Would the additional boost from the SC pulley affect the water pump or SC shaft?

 

No, it shouldn't. I was wondering if a bearing was going out in one of the two.

 

A cross wind or head wind might affect not only when the sound occurs, but the tone of the sound. Just a guess though.

Try also setting the air system to recirculate.

 

It could be your belt. The stock belt is too short for the 15% reduction pulley. Use a Napa 06535. How does it sound at 140 ?

 

Wait, wouldn't the stock belt be too long for the 15%? (thus causing slippage)

 

Doh!

I got it backaswards

 

Mine was a serpentine belt squeak. It started when I had about 25K miles on it (albeit at much lower speeds ). Although it sounded intermittent, it was actually there constantly, it's just it was only audible when the noise had something to "reflect" it. i.e. a guard rail, jersey barrier or when passing another vehicle

 

Thanks for all the input so far.

I took the car into the dealership 3 days ago and they didn't mention anything. Should I be concerned?

I don't drive on the "track" at high speeds to often and if the sound isn't there going normal speeds is it still something to worry about?


And if I'm not mistaken, I put a different belt on with the SC pulley as well.

 

OK, I'm going to resurrect this thread, because I have this same sound too. When I had the car on a track (really, it was an honest to goodness track, it was when I first got the car) it showed up around 95-100. to me it sounded almost like a gear in the speedometer was squealing or something. Didnt give it much thought because I figured I wont be driving that fast on the road, and it never showed up again during normal driving. The other day, though, we had a lot of wind, gusting to 20-25 mph, and I noticed the sound suddenly showed up whenever a crosswind would hit the car while I was driving at abot 60-65. I know its not an engine noise, because I had my wife drive in her car next to me and just slightly ahead of me on the highway with her window down to ceheck for that very thing. Its got to be some sort of vibration/harmonic caused when the air coming across the car gets around 90-100 mph (65mph road speed + 25 mph crosswind = 90 mph air), but WHAT THE HECK IS CAUSING IT?
If its not hurting anything, I don't necessarily want to get rid of it, for me its kind of a neat crosswind indicator it just bugs my curiosity and I want to know what does it.

 

I get it all the time with speeds over 80 MPH relitive speed. I think it is ether the cowl vents or the wind screen molding.