Waldo has started to have some engine noise at idle. I took my camera out and moved it around the engine compartment to help the dealer diagnose the problem. Taking it in tomorrow but was hopeful that others of you have heard something similar and might be able to give me some ideas of what it is in case the dealer can't diagnose it!

It's most noticeable at about 8 seconds into the video when the camera moves over the back left corner of the engine.

I checked the oil as its somewhat reminiscent of the lifter clatter that my Miata was prone to make, but the oil level seemed fine (on a side note, what a STUPID dipstick design!)

It does it mostly AFTER it's warmed up (others on here seemed to have the problme more at start-up, and mine seems to be after the engine is fully warmed up.)

Any thoughts?

 

[quote=blackjackmark;2690521]Waldo has started to have some engine noise at idle. I took my camera out and moved it around the engine compartment to help the dealer diagnose the problem. Taking it in tomorrow but was hopeful that others of you have heard something similar and might be able to give me some ideas of what it is in case the dealer can't diagnose it!

It's most noticeable at about 8 seconds into the video when the camera moves over the back left corner of the engine.

I checked the oil as its somewhat reminiscent of the lifter clatter that my Miata was prone to make, but the oil level seemed fine (on a side note, what a STUPID dipstick design!)

It does it mostly AFTER it's warmed up (others on here seemed to have the problme more at start-up, and mine seems to be after the engine is fully warmed up.)

Any thoughts?

Mark,
Sounds mostly "normal" to me, meaning sounds like mine and most non-S MINIs I've heard and driven. I would definitely ask the dealer about it if it bothers you (to document it) in case there is something wrong or that can be done. Doesn't hurt to ask. Good luck...
Greg

 

That's normal. The sound is coming from your injectors which are attached to the fuel rail which is directly in front of your airbox.

 

Thanks for the feedback...but what I don't understanding that it just recently started. If it truly is normal, then why haven't I been hearing it all along?

 

Do you run Premium Fuel in your mini? I ran 89 on ONE tank and it sounded like a flippin diesel! (more so than normal) Never did that again!

 

Yep, always run premium Top Tier fuel, usually Shell 92 octane.

 

Well, in my case my MC does it on colder mornings when the engine is still warming up. I can hear it ticking at stoplights and when coasting while driving. Goes away after a few minutes and doesn't bother me. Not something I hear when it's warmed up or in warmer weather, however.

 

The sound level varies.Mine is fairly mellow today but has been more pronounced on and off depending on the outside temp and different brands of gas.

 

Yup I'm right there with you, my Cooper does the same thing at idle. I asked the dealer about it and they confirmed that it's normal but they are documenting it in case it leads to a problem later on down the road. I wouldn't worry to much about it but next time you are at the dealer just have em note it.

 

That sounds like your vacuum pump going bad, I would take it to the dealer.

 

Sounds like the injectors. Mine sound the same way. Since the Mini uses a direct injection engine, the injectors run at much higher pressures, similar to a diesel injector, and each pulse sounds like a "click". If you are talking about the sharp, clicking noise, I'd say that's it.

 

Except only the R56S is direct injection...

 

Same ticking noise here.

 

My car sounds like this also. Mostly on cold mornings. It sounds like that for about 10 miles until the engine is warmed up. There is a very noticeable tapping noise at idle and after letting off the gas at around 2000 rpm, if gas is re-applied the noise goes away. Sometimes the noise is frightening loud. I don't think it is normal at all. I've had the car almost 2 years and this did not happen for the first 6 months of ownership. Last winter there was a slight tapping noise. This winter, much worse. I think it may be the same chain tensioner problems reported by the S owners. Usually there is not a noise over 50 degrees.

I haven't brought it back to the dealer yet for the problem.

 

My girlfriend's 09 MC (non S) is going to go into the dealer for this same issue. The car starts up and sounds normal, and then sporadically this very loud ticking will begin. The sound is coming from the intake side of the engine; I can't quite diagnose any closer than that general area. The sound is VERY faint from the inside of the car, but the outside is very loud. It's not possible to predict when it will happen, but when it does you can CLEARLY tell the difference between the regular engine ticking noise, and this noise. We will be taking it into the dealer, hopefully the problem will replicate itself while we're there.
Let me know if you guys come up with a solution to this!

She has run 91 octane in the car since we picked it up.

Thanks,
-Dave