Hey NAM, looking for some info on my 08 MCSm. Recently (2-3 days ago) my engine starting making this squeaking/squeal noise from the left side of the engine (see attached image for location). It's not really that loud, but you can hear it while idle at a stop with the windows down. It's fairly inconsistent, you can restart the car and make it go away sometimes, but eventually it will return. I must add that it seems to have started after I washed my car this past Sunday (I may have sprayed a bunch of water down the hood scoop), not sure if this would have any effect.

The MINI has 10500 miles on it, and also has the cold start death rattle, which happens off and on even when the weather isn't cold (might be related?). I recently took it into the dealer to have them look at it, they concluded that the oil level was low (topped it off for me, and actually overfilled it), and also did a bleed in procedure for the VANOS. The cold start rattle came back the next day! I also didn't get a change to take out the extra oil (been about 500 miles since the service).

That's about all I can think of that may be related.

Any info/help is appreciated,

OPish

P.S. the car in the pic isn't mine =P

 

You probably have a waterpump issue discussed in this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-at-idle.html

 

WOW! That's totally spot on. After listening to it from some of the videos, sound is exactly the same. It also seems to happen after the engine has been run for a while, my commute home from school is about a 20 min drive. It has been pretty much the case that I hear it once I'm off the freeways.

I'll probably leave it be till I go in for my first service, doesn't seem extra hazardous to the car and I'm also ultra annoyed with my MINI service department...

Thanks Chadtoolio!

OPish

 

i took my car to the dealer, they told me the same thing "the oil level is low".. just got my car back.. no issues so far

 

Lucky you, the death rattle caught up to me again. Happened just this morning = /


OPish

 

Water pump!! took some convincing on my part to the Dealership. They did their research like me and replaced it. No Squeal!!

Squeal is back now after 4k miles :( Ugh..

 

The next one that comes in, I think I will rough up the pulley a bit and see if the noise changes. Maybe a friction noise of the two pullies on one another. Hard to believe there could be a bearing making that noise. I mean how long have they been making w-pumps.??

 

It's a well known fact, BMW can't make water pumps to save their lives. My entire family owns Beemers, and the 1 thing that always fails on all their cars, is the damn water pumps

 

yeah, but the plastic impeller problem is different than a squeel. Besides this is a Peugot joint venture engine.

 

It's also a known fact, the french can't make cars! =(

 

LOL, but Rally racing is cool

 

This just began to happen to me. I'm at 12k miles and it might be due to the weather but I really don't car. This should not be happening at 12k, I'm just glad for this forum cause you guys armed me for the sometimes reluctant Mini Mechanics.

 

I had the same problem. Dealer replaced it with the quickness