A few areas of concern...
A few areas of concern...
Since taking delivery of my '04 MCS, I've noticed a few things that "worry" me.
1) One for example is the constant whine I hear from the passenger side (belt area!?). It's ever present and increases with rpm...similar to a the whine/whistle that comes through the speakers in a poorly grounded electrical/audio system (but definitely not that). Having never driven another MCS, I have no basis of comparison. Sounds rather cool (like an old hot rod with whiney gear drive), but is this normal?
2) I'm hearing a fairly loud ticking noise coming from the passenger side (did a search on here and I think I've narrowed it down to the belt tensioner)...common? Also, the tensioner moves back and forth a good half an inch at idle...normal?
3) My valve cover gasket is leaking at the back of the engine.
4) Occasionally, the idle drops and roughens, almost like I've got a hot cam in there...a little blip of the throttle seems to cure that.
The car has 62k miles on it, but runs strong, and smooth (as a 3 hour "spirited" stint up Angeles Crest Highway will attest to)! No real complaints, but I was hoping a few of you may chime in and help ease a new MINI lover's mind. All of this said, I did purchase a 3 year 36k warranty the day I bought it, so hopefully anything out of the ordinary will be covered. I appreciate you all taking the time to read this...thanks!!
-E
1) One for example is the constant whine I hear from the passenger side (belt area!?). It's ever present and increases with rpm...similar to a the whine/whistle that comes through the speakers in a poorly grounded electrical/audio system (but definitely not that). Having never driven another MCS, I have no basis of comparison. Sounds rather cool (like an old hot rod with whiney gear drive), but is this normal?
2) I'm hearing a fairly loud ticking noise coming from the passenger side (did a search on here and I think I've narrowed it down to the belt tensioner)...common? Also, the tensioner moves back and forth a good half an inch at idle...normal?
3) My valve cover gasket is leaking at the back of the engine.
4) Occasionally, the idle drops and roughens, almost like I've got a hot cam in there...a little blip of the throttle seems to cure that.
The car has 62k miles on it, but runs strong, and smooth (as a 3 hour "spirited" stint up Angeles Crest Highway will attest to)! No real complaints, but I was hoping a few of you may chime in and help ease a new MINI lover's mind. All of this said, I did purchase a 3 year 36k warranty the day I bought it, so hopefully anything out of the ordinary will be covered. I appreciate you all taking the time to read this...thanks!!
-E
I think the whining sound you are hearing is the PS system which is driven by an electric motor & has a cooling fan. That sound bothered me when I first got my MINI, now I don't even notice it.
The valve cover leaking is not a hard fix.
The sound on the belt drive side of the engine could be the tensioner or possibly an idler pull.
I have no clue about your idle drop, but I'm sure someone here does & will chime in.
Welcome to NAM.
The valve cover leaking is not a hard fix.
The sound on the belt drive side of the engine could be the tensioner or possibly an idler pull.
I have no clue about your idle drop, but I'm sure someone here does & will chime in.
Welcome to NAM.
4. the rough idle is actually something common to a lot of earlier MCS from 02-04. some say a quick reflash does the trick but some don't. A quick blip always fixed it. and from what i've read as far as i'm concerned, nobody's engine stalled from the rough idling...yet.
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