So far this has not been an earth-shattering issue. Now that I've said that, something bad will happen tomorrow

But for the past 4-6 weeks, Clara (06 R50 w/CVT) has had this odd howling/squealing noise with a cold start. It goes away after the car is running for a few minutes. It is louder the colder it is outside (it was much quieter in California than it is here in Wisconsin), and at first I was terrified that it was CVT related but it doesn't seem to be coming from the right area - it sounds like it is coming right from the center of the engine compartment. And sometimes, it doesn't make the noise at all.

Again, after the car warms up, the sound goes away. Everything else is working/running/steering/etc just fine. Fluids are full (I thought it might be PS at first, so that was refilled).

I thought it might be a belt, but I can't quite figure out where the sound is coming from...and sometimes it sounds like a belt squeal, but sometimes it sounds like an air-suckage-howling sort of thing.

Ideas?

 

WAG but my vote is power steering pump cooling fan (or the pump itself). My pump whines a but when it is real cold.

 

Nope, it's not that. The PS pump and fan have been checked and are fine. This is coming more from the center of the engine compartment and is actually DEAFENINGLY loud when it's really cold out (below freezing).

 

Does the engine run smoothly? Could it be a vacuum leak because of the cold which shrinks the gaskets? Can't think of anything that would be in that location other than the cooling fan or internal engine parts.

 

Is there any chance that it could be your instrumentation? I've seen a speedo servo motor go bad in another vehicle and it caused a really loud howl/squeal that was always worse in cold weather. Does there happen to be any correlation between your noise and the engine RPM or speed of the vehicle?

 

I've decided it's the fan belt. Nothing else makes sense. Hopefully it will hang in there a little bit longer til I can get it replaced.

 

I hope you're right, Mel. That's not a big $$$ repair.

Keep us posted.

 

OK Mel, there is one other test you can do. It is rather technical and it will take some split-second timing but try this:
Take a small mirror in to the MINI with you. You will also need to use the rear view mirror.
Sit so you can see your face in the rear view mirror and hold the small mirror next to your mouth.
Now start the MINI and quickly look at your reflection in the rear view mirror.
Is your mouth open?
If so look at the mirror in your hand.
Is there condensation on it?
Thought so, you got the Cali-consin transplant sensor underload fault (CTSU). Your body is just not use to the cold yet and those sounds are the natural reaction to a 70 degree temperature shift.
It will get better by itself, but wait until closer to summer.

 

Take a spray bottle of water and soak the belt when the sound is present; if its the belt the pitch should change.

 

It was the belt. It was changed out today (at the cost of $13!) and all better

 

13 whopping dollars. Can't beat that for a cheap fix, Mel.