So Chitown's freaked out about something his MINI is doing...what else is new?

Immediately after shutoff, after perhaps 2-3 seconds, there is a mechanical whirring, not unlike the power steering whine, that clicks on for about two seconds and then makes a click as if some sort of switch is being flipped or something. I know that this is a terrible description, but it seems to be coming from somewhere near the driver's side, toward the front of the engine. I can start the car and drive around town and stop and I'll hear it, or I can start the car for five seconds and then turn it off and I can hear it. Also, I can hear a lot of fluid movement after turning everything off, for a good 10+ seconds that may be related to this, but I don't know.

I will also mention that it is significantly colder here than it has been in the time that I've been driving COOP. Temperatures have been in the 40s and 50s. I have been running the heater a bit, although I can run the car without the heater and still get the weird sound after shutoff.

If anyone has any idea what this is, I would really like to know about it. Also, if you're living in a relatively cool area, maybe you could try it yourself. Just pop the bonnet, and then run the engine for a minute. Then turn it off and run to the front of the engine and listen. You can't miss it. Everything is quiet for about two seconds (except for the rushing fluid sound effects), then you get the funny whirrrrrrrrrrrrr-clack, then it's quiet again (except for perhaps a bit more fluid movement sound effects).

Thanks!

 

My 2003 CVT does this, has done it from day one. Shut off engine, and you hear an immediate "wwhhhhiiirrrr/click" which sounds like it is coming from just left of dead center of the dashboard...somewhere in the engine compartment. It is so consistent that it is obviously for a reason, not a fault. Maybe it's the powersteering pump "powering down" and getting ready for next engine start? Maybe it has to do with the ABS systems check? I dunno, but it's definitely normal. My '98 Olds Intrigue made similar sounds when the engine was turned off after a drive. Today's high-tech cars have smart systems that continue to work a few seconds after power-down, getting ready for the next start-up.

As for fluid movement...I don't hear that... I HAVE heard gas sloshing around in the tank though at times...also normal.

Rock On,

Joe

 

I do know that the auto a/c system will oftentimes 'reset' itself when the car is shut off. All the diverters and gates that move the air among the various outlets and adjust the temperature of the air are operated by small motors. When the system is shut down everything moves back to a 'default' off state.

 

I am going to second the air diverter valve theory.

When i shut off my 02/02 build MINI Cooper 5-speed, I hear a "motor"
noise and I think it is the fresh-air intake closing.

 

Well, good to know that others have heard it from day one. I would swear that I'd never heard it until yesterday evening. I'm generally paranoid about car sounds in general, so I really think that I would have noticed it.

After repeated listenings, I have determined that the sound seems to be coming from the throttle body or from VERY close to the throttle body...don't know if this helps narrow things down at all...

 

I think I had this problem. It's the PVC valve that is faulty and letting oil into the hose. The oil breaks down the hose and it begins to collapse under the sucking pressure so it vibarates much like when you pull a baloon opening wide and let the air out...it buzzes, whines, moans, whatever...sounds like that. Mine was so loud I could hear in with the windows up.

It's very odd since it really sounds like an electric motor spinning down.

Anyway, they fixed it under warranty and after I called, the service guy said that he had 3 more calls the next day!

Mine is a Jan 2003 build

 

I hear the same thing from time to time. I just consider it to be my MINI tucking itself into bed

 

I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry to read about your concern with your MINI. If you want our assistance, please phone us at (866) ASK MINI and please mention Reference # 1-104505741 so that we can help you more efficiently.

 

Who was that masked man?

 

What a goofy freaking company!!!

So I call, and I tell them I have a reference number..."What's the number?" "What's your name?" Uhh...Maxwell? Chitown COOP? She seems confused because I guess the names aren't matching up. The she does sort of an "Ohhhh...I see!" move and then says she's going to "...find someone who can take care of that...please hold." So I hold, with their silly music in the background...after 15 seconds "...please hold..." 15 more seconds pass "...hold..." 15 more seconds pass "...hold..." (she's breaking into the hold music at like 15 second intervals for a half second just to tell me to keep holding--as if they're told never to leave people on hold for extended periods of time, so they're constantly reassuring you that you haven't been forgotten?!) Finally, I end up getting transferred to someone's voicemail, so I leave her a friendly (but confused) message.

A little help, MINI Division? You still out there?

 

Hey, wow, 866-ASK-MINI. I didn't know about that. Did you guys know about that?

 

>>I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry to read about your concern with your MINI. If you want our assistance, please phone us at (866) ASK MINI and please mention Reference # 1-104505741 so that we can help you more efficiently.


BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING>>>>

 

I wonder why MINI Division doesn't simply post the canned response stored in their database under ref # 1-104505741. Wouldn't that be simpler? We'd all benefit from the information, instead of just the person that calls and it would save MINI in phone expenses.

See ya,
JS

 

In case anyone cares...I still haven't heard back from them.

Hello?!?!?!? Extension 2180, are you out there?!?!?!? Are you MINIDivision?!?!?!?

 

Any word today? The suspense is killing me. It almost seems like Mini spotted this thread, and is aware of a problem asociated with this symptom.
You all know about the older coolant bottles leaking on MCS's? Happened on all but 1 MCS I know of, and I've met a lot of other MCS owners. Why was there never a recall notice? Not even a voluntary one.
Someone's working very hard to cover their butts. (Now, bring on the conspiravy theories )

 

Picoman wrote:

>>I think I had this problem. It's the PVC valve that is faulty and letting oil into the hose. The oil breaks down the hose and it begins to collapse under the sucking pressure so it vibarates much like when you pull a baloon opening wide and let the air out...it buzzes, whines, moans, whatever...sounds like that. Mine was so loud I could hear in with the windows up.
>>
>>It's very odd since it really sounds like an electric motor spinning down.
>>
>>Anyway, they fixed it under warranty and after I called, the service guy said that he had 3 more calls the next day!
>>
>>Mine is a Jan 2003 build>>

Mine is a Jan 03 build too and the exact same problem started yesterday. The noise is horrible and I did track it down to coming from a black hose that actually flattens itself out and looks like it's sucking for air and vibrates while it makes the noise. The noise will come on shutdown and also noticeable when slowing down but revving the motor (you know the way you like to show off your exhaust as you come to a red light). I was a bit concerned that I had caused the problem as it coincided with me taking the Intercooler Air Diverter apart (or whatever the thing is called on top of the supercharger) to rig up Alta's Air Diverter. I have been trying to get rid of the problem all night to no avail. Looks like a trip to the dealer soon.

Incidentally the black hose I am referring to is the one that if you look at the engine and you see the word MINI, it is just to the bottom left and makes a right hand turn towards the M in MINI. God knows what this horrible sounding thing is called. It also slides back and forth while it is wheezing, vibrating and groaning. That is not a line from a dirty book, it really does this.

Ken

 

Got the identical prob. had an idea that it was the PCV.have an appointment next Tues. to rectify..Now the dealer won't have to test to find the prob I can tell them reducing my down time

Thanks


Have a GREAT day!!

 

I wrote:

<<Incidentally the black hose I am referring to is the one that if you look at the engine and you see the word MINI, it is just to the bottom left and makes a right hand turn towards the M in MINI. God knows what this horrible sounding thing is called. It also slides back and forth while it is wheezing, vibrating and groaning.>>

Does anybody know the name of the hose I'm describing so that I can "act" more knowledgable when I go in for the repairs on Monday?

It is hooked up to a narrow white hose before it makes it's right hand turn towards the word MINI.


Ken

 

Picoman,

This is in regard to your post a while ago in this thread (I copied it below). I have the exact same problem and I took the car in to the dealer yesterday. They say they have to order the part and I was just wondering if you have your receipt and can tell me what part number they replaced for you. Also did you happen to ask them what is going to prevent the hose from deteriorating again? Surely whatever is causing the oil to get into the hose and cause the probelm needs to be addressed too?

Much appreciated.

Ken
I tried to pm you with this but it didn't seem that the site was allowing it to go through.


<<I think I had this problem. It's the PVC valve that is faulty and letting oil into the hose. The oil breaks down the hose and it begins to collapse under the sucking pressure so it vibarates much like when you pull a baloon opening wide and let the air out...it buzzes, whines, moans, whatever...sounds like that. Mine was so loud I could hear in with the windows up.

It's very odd since it really sounds like an electric motor spinning down.

Anyway, they fixed it under warranty and after I called, the service guy said that he had 3 more calls the next day!

Mine is a Jan 2003 build >>

 

Hi. I just took my MCS in for the same problem, and they ended up replacing the steering rack. Definitely have this checked out! Good luck.

 

I also just starting hearing a weird moaning noise coming from Peanut's engine bay. I've heard it for about a week, but who knows how long it's really been going on? The only reason I heard it was because the radio was off and the windows were open. She's driving, handling, steering, etc. just fine... BTW, I also have a Jan 03 build.